咸 → 兌
Hexagram 31: Influence → Hexagram 58: The Joyous Lake
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 3).
Line 1
初六 咸其拇。
Six at the beginning means: The influence shows itself in the big toe.
Line 2
六二 咸其腓。凶。居吉。
Six in the second place means: The influence shows itself in the calves of the legs. Misfortune. Tarrying brings good fortune.
Line 3
九三 咸其股。執其隨。往吝。
Nine in the third place means: The influence shows itself in the thighs. Holds to that which follows it. To continue is humiliating.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
甘露醴泉，太平機關，仁德感應，歲樂民安。
Peach and plum trees create a path — without a word, people come. The well spring is sweet and clear; those who drink forget to leave.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
A lake upon a mountain, the very image of mutual attraction, and the original verse distills this into its purest form. Sweet dew and sweet springs mark the auspicious turning-point of great peace. Benevolence and virtue stir mutual response, and the people enjoy tranquility year after year. The 'sweet dew and sweet springs' (甘露醴泉) are classical omens of a sage ruler's reign — when governance is virtuous, even the waters of the earth turn sweet. From Influence to the Joyous, the mountain's open receptivity transforms into doubled lakes — joy reflecting upon joy, friends learning together. The Joyous achieves what Influence promises: genuine mutual delight that sustains itself. Sweet springs and sweet dew are nature's way of expressing what human hearts experience as spontaneous, shared happiness under virtuous rule.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store