Hexagram 31
咸 Xián · Attraction
Legge: Hsien
☱ Lake (Duì) above ☶ Mountain (Gèn)
Scryway summary
Modern commentary written for Scryway. Not part of the classic text.
Mutual influence and feeling. Receptiveness on one side meets response on the other.
The judgment
Hsien indicates that, (on the fulfilment of the conditions implied in it), there will be free course and success. Its advantageousness will depend on the being firm and correct, (as) in marrying a young lady. There will be good fortune.
The image
(The trigram representing) a mountain and above it that for (the waters of) a marsh form Hsien. The superior man, in accordance with this, keeps his mind free from pre-occupation, and open to receive (the influences of) others.
The lines, bottom to top
- Bottom line, broken
The first line, divided, shows one moving his great toes.
- Second line, broken
The second line, divided, shows one moving the calves of his leg. There will be evil. If he abide (quiet in his place), there will be good fortune.
- Third line, solid
The third line, undivided, shows one moving his thighs, and keeping close hold of those whom he follows. Going forward (in this way) will cause regret.
- Fourth line, solid
The fourth line, undivided, shows that firm correctness which will lead to good fortune, and prevent all occasion for repentance. If its subject be unsettled in his movements, (only) his friends will follow his purpose.
- Fifth line, solid
The fifth line, undivided, shows one moving the flesh along the spine above the heart. There will be no occasion for repentance.
- Top line, broken
The sixth line, divided, shows one moving his jaws and tongue.
Quoted from James Legge (trans.), The Yi King, Sacred Books of the East vol. XVI, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1882. Public domain. The image is from Legge’s Appendix II. Words in parentheses are Legge’s additions.