Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 蹇 (Jiǎn) |
| English Name | Obstruction / Difficulty |
| Trigrams | Water over Mountain (坎上艮下) |
| Number | 39 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
Obstruction. The southwest furthers. The northeast does not further. It furthers one to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Water on the mountain: the image of Obstruction. Thus the superior man turns his attention to himself and molds his character.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初六 | Bottom | Going leads to obstructions, coming meets with praise. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 六二 | 2nd | The king's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction, but it is not his own fault. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九三 | 3rd | Going leads to obstructions; hence he comes back. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 六四 | 4th | Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to union. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九五 | 5th | In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 上六 | Top | Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers one to see the great man. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Water blocked by mountain; turn inward to grow when the way forward is blocked
- Upper trigram Water (deep and flowing) over lower trigram Mountain (still and grounding)
- Embodies the qualities of obstruction, self-improvement, perseverance and reflection, difficulty, growth
Keywords
ObstructionSelf-improvementPerseveranceReflectionDifficultyGrowth
Divination & Prediction
★★☆☆☆Difficult — Obstruction
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Challenging period requiring patience. Water blocked by mountain; turn inward to grow when the way forward is blocked Preserve your strength through difficulty and growth. |
| Timing | Not the time for bold initiatives. Consolidate and wait. |
| Challenge | The temptation to force progress will backfire. Practice reflection. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels obstruction and self-improvement. The Water trigram above suggests deep and flowing energy in your outer dealings, while the Mountain trigram below points to still and grounding foundations. Retrench and preserve resources until conditions improve.
Health & Wellness
Focus on kidneys and ears and hands and back. Rest and recovery are priorities. Don't push your body beyond its current capacity.
Relationships
In relationships, embody obstruction and self-improvement. Patience and understanding are needed. Avoid confrontation; focus on maintaining what you have.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes perseverance and reflection. Focus on fundamentals and review. Build a strong foundation before advancing.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate obstruction in all your actions
- Practice self-improvement consistently
- Embrace perseverance as your guiding principle
- Develop reflection through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of difficulty
- Abandon growth under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 40. Xiè (解) | Deliverance — release after obstruction |
| 29. Kǎn (坎) | The Abysmal — the water that creates obstruction |
| 8. Bǐ (比) | Holding Together — allies help overcome obstacles |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “Every direction I turn seems blocked. What should I do?”
You received Hexagram 39, Obstruction. The judgment says: 'Obstruction. The southwest furthers. The northeast does not further. It furthers...' Water blocked by mountain; turn inward to grow when the way forward is blocked This is a cautionary sign. The current conditions call for difficulty rather than action. Preserve your resources and wait for the cycle to turn.