Hsien / Influence (Wooing)
above:Tui The Joyous, Lake
below:K^ en Keeping Still, Mountain
The name of the hexagram means "universal," "general," and in a
figurative sense "to influence," "to stimulate." The upper trigram is
Tui, the Joyous; the lower is Kên, Keeping still. By its
persistent, quiet influence, the lower, rigid trigram stimulates the
upper, weak trigram, which responds to this stimulation cheerfully and
joyously. Kên, the lower trigram, is the youngest son; the upper,
Tui, is the youngest daughter. Thus the universal mutual attraction
between the sexes is represented. In courtship, the masculine principle
must seize the initiative and place itself below the feminine principle.
Just as the first part of book I begins with the hexagrams of heaven
and earth, the foundations of all that exists, the second part begins
with the hexagrams of courtship and marriage, the foundations of all
social relationships.
The Judgement
Influence. Success.
Perseverance furthers.
To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune.
The weak element is above, the strong below; hence their powers attract
each other, so that they unite. This brings about success, for all
success depends on the effect of mutual attraction. By keeping still
within while experiencing joy without, one can prevent the joy from
going to excess and hold it within proper bounds. This is the meaning
of the added admonition, "Perseverance furthers," for it is
perseverance that makes the difference between seduction and courtship;
in the latter the strong man takes a position inferior to that of the
weak girl and shows consideration for her. This attraction between
affinities is a general law of nature. Heaven and earth attract each
other and thus all creatures come into being. Through such attraction
the sage influences men's hearts, and thus the world attains peace.
From the attractions they exert we can learn the nature of all beings
in heaven and on earth.
The Image
A lake on the mountain:
The image of influence.
Thus the superior man encourages people to approach him
By his readiness to receive them.
A mountain with a lake on its summit is stimulated by the moisture from
the lake. It has this advantage because its summit does not jut out as
a peak but is sunken. The image counsels that the mind should be kept
humble and free, so that it may remain receptive to good advice. People
soon give up counseling a man who thinks that he knows everything
better than anyone else.