Hexagram 39

蹇 Jiǎn

Obstruction

☵ Water above ☶ Mountain

Judgment 卦辭

利西南。不利東北。利見大人。貞吉。

蹇jiǎnimpasse; impediments, drawbacks; stumbling
利lìworthwhile, rewarding, productive
西xī(from) west
南nán(and, to) south [see note at 02.0]
不bù(and, while) (it is) not; less than
利lìworthwhile, rewarding, productive
東dōng(from) east
北běi(and, to) north [see note at 02.0]
利lìworthwhile, rewarding, productive
見jiànto see, encounter, meet with, consult
大dà(a, the) mature, complete, realized, great
人rénhuman being, character, one, person, man
貞zhēnpersistence, determination, resolve, focus
吉jí(is) promising, auspicious, opportune, timely

Commentary

The southwest furthers. The northeast does not further. It furthers one to see the great man. Persistence brings good fortune. Abyss before you, steep mountain behind—obstacles surround. The direction of retreat furthers, not the direction of advance. Pause, retreat, join with allies, find leadership equal to the situation. Persevering when you seem to move away from your goal brings good fortune in the end. Adversity is useful for self-development.

Classical Text

蹇艮下坎上 蹇，利西南，不利東北。 利見大人。 貞吉。

Jian: Gen below, Kan above. Jian (Obstruction). Benefit in the southwest; no benefit in the northeast. Benefit in seeing a great person. Correctness brings good fortune.

Image 象

山上有水，蹇。君子以反身修德。

Water on the mountain. Difficulties throw you back upon yourself. The inferior person blames others and bewails fate. The superior person seeks the error within. External obstacles become occasions for inner enrichment.

Lines 爻辭

1

往蹇來譽

往wǎng(if, when, where) go, advance, progress (ing)
蹇jiǎn(is) impassable, obstructed, halted, set back
來lái(then) coming (back), arriving (is, means)
譽yùpraise(worthy); respect, honor (able, ed)

Going leads to obstructions. Reflect on how to deal with it. Don't strive blindly ahead—that leads only to complications. Retreat for now, not to give up the struggle but to await the right moment.

Classical commentary

初六，往蹇，來譽。

Initial Six: Going forth meets obstruction; turning back brings praise.

2

王臣蹇蹇匪躬之故

王wáng(a, the) sovereign's, king's, ruler's
臣chénminister, servant, retainer, attendant
蹇jiǎn(is, gets) set back, obstructed, held up
蹇jiǎn(and) interrupted, detoured, deterred
匪fěi(but, yet) it, this is not, never was
躬gōnga person, individual, body, self; a person-
之zhīone ...'s; -al
故gùcause, reason, purpose; lead(ing)

The servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction, but it is not their own fault. Sometimes duty leads directly into danger. When you cannot act by choice but are bound to seek out danger in service of a higher cause, proceed without compunction.

Classical commentary

六二，王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。

Six in the Second: The king's minister struggles through obstruction upon obstruction—not for his own sake.

3

往蹇來反

往wǎng(if, when, where) go, advance progress (ing)
蹇jiǎn(is) impassable, obstructed, halted, set back
來lái(then) coming (back), arriving (is, means)
反fǎnturning around, reversal, redirection, return

Going leads to obstructions, so return home. Those entrusted to your care cannot get along by themselves. Plunging into danger would be useless. Turn back and they welcome you with joy.

Classical commentary

九三，往蹇，來反。

Nine in the Third: Going forth meets obstruction; turning back, one returns.

4

往蹇來連

往wǎng(if, when, where) go, advance, progress (ing)
蹇jiǎn(is) impassable, obstructed, halted, set back
來lái(then) coming (back), arriving (is, means)
連liánalliance(s), allies, connections, continuity

Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to union. The direct way is not the shortest here. Hold back and gather trustworthy companions who can help overcome the obstacles.

Classical commentary

六四，往蹇，來連。

Six in the Fourth: Going forth meets obstruction; turning back, one joins [with others].

5

大蹇朋來

大dà(at) (a) major, big, mighty, important, great
蹇jiǎnimpasse, obstruction, complication (s)
朋péngcompanions, friends, allies, partners
來láicome, arrive, appear, show up, emerge

In the midst of greatest obstructions, friends come. Called to help in emergency, don't evade obstacles no matter how they pile up. The power of your spirit attracts helpers. Well-directed cooperation overcomes the obstruction.

Classical commentary

九五，大蹇，朋來。

Nine in the Fifth: Great obstruction; companions come.

6

往蹇來碩吉

往wǎng(if, when, where) go, advance, progress (ing)
蹇jiǎn(is) impassable, obstructed, halted, set back
來lái(then) coming (back), arriving (is, means)
碩shuòripeness, ripening, maturity, fruition
吉jípromising, auspicious, opportune, timely

Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers one to see the great man. Duty calls back into the turmoil of life. Your experience and inner freedom enable you to create something great that brings good fortune. Alliance with the great person accomplishes the work of rescue.

Classical commentary

《象》曰：往蹇來碩，志在內也。 利見大人，以從貴也。

The Image says: Going forth meets obstruction; turning back brings greatness—the resolve is directed inward. Benefit in seeing a great person—thereby following the noble.