Hexagram 39: Obstruction
Obstacles, difficulty
| Chinese | 蹇 (Jiǎn) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☵ Water — The Abysmal (Water) |
| Lower trigram | ☶ Mountain — Keeping Still (Earth) |
| Keywords | obstruction, difficulty, perseverance, help |
| Opposite | Hexagram 38: Opposition |
| Inverted | Hexagram 40: Deliverance |
What does Hexagram 39 (Obstruction) mean?
Obstruction 蹇 (Jiǎn) is hexagram 39 of the I Ching, formed by Water (The Abysmal) over Mountain (Keeping Still). Its theme is obstacles, difficulty, with key ideas of obstruction, difficulty, perseverance, help. The Judgment reads: “Obstruction. The southwest furthers. The northeast does not further.”
The Judgment of Obstruction
Obstruction. The southwest furthers. The northeast does not further.
The Image of Obstruction
Water on the mountain.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 39
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Six at the beginning
“Going leads to obstructions, coming meets with praise.”
Forward motion into the obstruction worsens it; withdrawing and consolidating earns genuine recognition. Retreat is advance in this moment.
Six in the second place
“The king's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction, but it is not his own fault.”
Some obstructions arise from the duties one must fulfil, not from personal error. Loyalty to the greater cause sustains one through what cannot be avoided.
Nine in the third place
“Going leads to obstructions; hence he comes back.”
Recognising that the path ahead is blocked and turning back is not failure. The wise do not persist into walls.
Six in the fourth place
“Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to union.”
Pulling back draws allies who were unavailable while one pressed forward. Retreat creates the space for true cooperation.
Nine in the fifth place
“In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come.”
At the peak of difficulty, the right people appear. The depth of the challenge is exactly the measure of the support that responds to it.
Six at the top
“Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers one to see the great man.”
The final resolution of obstruction comes through retreat and the counsel of those with broader vision. Seeking wise guidance transforms the entire situation.
Will Obstruction answer your question?
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