39. Obstruction (蹇 Jiǎn)

Trigrams

Above

☵ Kǎn (Water)

Below

☶ Gèn (Mountain)

Symbolic Meaning

蹇 (Jiǎn) symbolizes obstacles or obstructions. This hexagram speaks of difficulties or impediments on one's path. Success comes from patience, perseverance, and knowing when to retreat and when to push forward.

Judgment

Original Chinese:
"蹇，利西南，不利東北。利見大人，貞吉。"
(Jiǎn, lì xī nán, bù lì dōng běi. Lì jiàn dà rén, zhēn jí.)

"Obstruction. It is favorable to go southwest, not favorable to go northeast. It is beneficial to see the great person. Perseverance brings good fortune."

This hexagram advises adjusting one's direction when facing obstacles. Success comes from going with the flow (symbolized by the southwest) rather than forcing one's way forward. Meeting with a wise person and persevering brings good fortune.

Image

Original Chinese:
"山上有水，蹇。君子以反身修德。"
(Shān shàng yǒu shuǐ, jiǎn. Jūn zǐ yǐ fǎn shēn xiū dé.)

"Water on the mountain: The image of Obstruction. The superior person turns inward and cultivates virtue."

The image of water on a mountain represents difficulties or obstacles that prevent easy progress. The superior person uses this time to turn inward, cultivating inner strength and virtue while waiting for the right time to act.

Line 1

Original Chinese:
"往蹇來譽。"
(Wǎng jiǎn lái yù.)

"Going brings obstruction, returning brings praise."

This line advises against pushing forward in the face of difficulties. Retreating and waiting for a better time to act brings praise and success.

Line 2

Original Chinese:
"王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。"
(Wáng chén jiǎn jiǎn, fěi gōng zhī gù.)

"The king's servant is obstructed. It is not his fault."

This line describes a situation where someone faces difficulties, but the obstruction is not due to their own actions. It advises patience and understanding that sometimes obstacles are beyond one's control.

Line 3

Original Chinese:
"往蹇來反。"
(Wǎng jiǎn lái fǎn.)

"Going brings obstruction, but returning brings a way out."

This line advises recognizing when to retreat in the face of difficulties. By returning and reconsidering one's approach, a way out of the obstruction is found.

Line 4

Original Chinese:
"往蹇來連。"
(Wǎng jiǎn lái lián.)

"Going brings obstruction, but returning brings connection."

This line describes a situation where pushing forward leads to more difficulty, but retreating brings opportunities to reconnect with others and find support.

Line 5

Original Chinese:
"大蹇，朋來。"
(Dà jiǎn, péng lái.)

"Great obstruction. Friends come."

This line speaks of a serious obstacle, but one that brings help from friends or allies. It advises accepting support from others to overcome the difficulty.

Line 6

Original Chinese:
"蹇徵，利西南，利見大人，吉。"
(Jiǎn zhēng, lì xī nán, lì jiàn dà rén, jí.)

"Obstruction. It is favorable to go southwest. Beneficial to meet a great person. Good fortune."

This line advises adapting to the situation by changing direction (symbolized by going southwest). Meeting with a wise person helps bring good fortune, even in difficult times.