Hexagram 31
Xian (Influence) - Mutual Attraction
咸
Meaning and Overview
The upper trigram of the Xian hexagram is Dui, representing yin, the mouth and tongue, the shaman, and the young maiden. The lower trigram is Gen, representing yang, mountains and rocks, and the young man. Yang is below, yin above, symbolizing the interaction and communication of yin and yang, as the text says: 'The soft goes up and the hard comes down, the two qi respond to each other and unite.' The hard and soft qi mutually respond and interact. The close association of a young man and a young maiden is naturally a special kind of love, likely entering a stage of passionate romance. This romantic meaning of the Xian hexagram has been clear to I Ching scholars since ancient times, but there is also a medical significance related to acupuncture that is often overlooked. From the perspective of the origin of characters, 'Xian' is an ancient character, while 'Gan' (feeling), 'Zhen' (needle, ancient form) and others are later derivatives. The ancient character 'Xian' besides meaning influence... In addition, it also contains the original imagery of acupuncture and moxibustion. The interaction of yin and yang between the young man and young woman in the hexagram is precisely analogous to the resonance and circulation of qi between doctor and patient during acupuncture. Therefore, the Xian hexagram not only depicts the emotional world of mutual affection between man and woman, but also reveals the therapeutic principle by which ancient physicians used acupuncture to stimulate the resonance of yin and yang qi within the human body. This is a deep dimension particularly emphasized in Mr. Lan Jiayun's academic interpretation.
Chinese Interpretation
《咸》卦上卦为兑，为阴，为口舌，为巫，为少女，下卦为良，为阳，为山石，为少男。阳在下面，阴在上面，表示阴阳往来交通，即辞说的：“柔上而刚下，二气感应以相与。”刚柔二气互相感应、交往。少男少女的密切来往，当然是不一般的恋爱，应该是进入热恋阶段了。《咸》卦的这个恋爱意义，自古以来的易学家都清楚，但是还有一个和针灸治疗有关的医学意义，大家却往往忽略了。从文字起源的角度看，“咸”是古字，“感”“”“针（古作“””等字都是后起字。古“咸”字除了感应意义之外，还蕴含着针刺、针灸的原始意象。卦象中少男少女的阴阳感应，恰如针刺时医患之间气的感应与流通。因此，《咸》卦不仅描述了男女相悦的情感世界，更揭示了古代医者通过针刺激发人体阴阳二气感应的治疗原理，这是兰甲云先生学术解读中特别强调的一个深层维度。
Line Interpretations
These passages include the core hexagram statement, the six moving line texts, and traditional commentary where available. Read them as layered guidance: the early lines describe the root of the situation, while later lines reveal development, pressure, and outcome.
亨，利贞，取女吉。
亨通，能坚守正道，娶少女为妻，吉祥。
Success. Favorable to be steadfast. Taking a maiden as wife brings good fortune.
Success. Able to uphold the correct path. Marrying a young maiden is auspicious.
初六，咸其拇。
初六爻，用砭石等针刺激脚拇指穴位进行治疗。
The first six, yin: Influence at the big toe.
The first six line: Use stone needles or similar to stimulate the acupoint on the big toe for treatment.
六二，咸其腓，凶，居吉。
六二爻，用砭石等针刺激小腿上穴位进行治疗。随意动会危险，安静不动就吉祥。
The second six, yin: Influence at the calf. Misfortune. To remain still brings good fortune.
The second six line: Use stone needles to stimulate the acupoint on the calf. Moving recklessly brings danger; staying still brings good fortune.
九三，咸其股，执其随，往吝。
九三爻，用砭石等针刺激大腿上经络穴位进行治疗。执其针以随经气，气至而后行针，则能发挥补虚泻实的作用。若气未至而行针，则效果不明显。
The third nine, yang: Influence at the thigh. Hold to what follows. To go forward brings regret.
The third nine line: Use stone needles to stimulate the meridian points on the thigh. Hold the needle to follow the qi; when the qi arrives, then manipulate the needle to supplement deficiency or drain excess. If the needle is manipulated before the qi arrives, the effect is not obvious.
九四，贞吉，悔亡，憧憧往来，朋从尔思。
九四爻，下笼后觉得用扎针刺激穴位治疗疾病吉祥，不会有悔恨。经气经过穴位刺激后往来顺畅，病患者的经气皆能顺从扎针者的心思意图运行。
The fourth nine, yang: Steadfastness brings good fortune. Remorse vanishes. Restless coming and going. Friends follow your thoughts.
The fourth nine line: After inserting the needle, one feels that stimulating the acupoint with the needle is auspicious for treating illness, and there will be no regret. The qi flows smoothly after the point is stimulated, and the patient's qi can follow the intention of the acupuncturist.
九五，咸其脢，无悔。
九五爻，用砭石等针刺激背脊上督脉经络穴位进行治疗。及时进行治疗，不会后悔。
The fifth nine, yang: Influence at the back of the neck. No remorse.
The fifth nine line: Use stone needles to stimulate the acupoints on the Governing Vessel along the spine. Timely treatment brings no regret.
上六，咸其辅、颊、舌。
上六爻，用砭石等针刺激脸部、面部和舌头上的穴位进行治疗。
The top six, yin: Influence at the jaw, cheeks, and tongue.
The top six line: Use stone needles to stimulate the acupoints on the face, cheeks, and tongue for treatment.