I Ching Hexagram 39 - Obstruction
Description and interpretations of I Ching (Yijing) hexagram 39 "Obstruction"
蹇 - Jiǎn
Thủy Sơn Kiển
Obstruction
Upper (Outer) Trigram: ☵ Kan, Water
Lower (Inner) Trigram: ☶ Gen, Mountain
Other Titles: Impasse, The Symbol of Difficulty, Arresting Movement, Trouble, Obstacles, Barrier, Halt, Halting, Limping, Afoot,
English Translations & Interpretations
The Judgement
Wilhelm/Baynes: Obstruction. The southwest furthers. The northeast does not further. It furthers one to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Legge: During an Impasse advantage is found in the southwest, disadvantage in the northeast. See the great man. Firm correctness brings good fortune.
Blofeld: Trouble. The west and the south are favorable, but not the east and north. [That is to say, if we try to forward our plans by proceeding in either of those directions, we shall get bogged down or lost. It could also mean that we should be driven to unvirtuous conduct.] It is advisable to see a great man. [We should seek advice from someone of lofty moral stature and profound wisdom.] Persistence in a righteous course brings good fortune.
Liu: Obstruction. The southwest is of benefit. The northeast -- no benefit. It benefits one to visit a great man. To continue brings good fortune.
Shaughnessy: Afoot: Beneficial to the southwest, not beneficial to the northeast; beneficial to see the great man; determination is auspicious.
Cleary (1): When halted, the southwest is beneficial, not the northeast. It is profitable to see a great person; innocence is auspicious.
Cleary (2): When in trouble, it is beneficial to go southwest; it is not beneficial to go northeast. It is beneficial to see a great person. Correctness leads to good results.
Wu: Difficulty indicates that it will be advantageous in the southwest, but not so in the northeast. There will be advantage to meet with the great man. Auspiciousness will come with perseverance.
Hua-Ching Ni: The good direction is where there is no abyss or high mountains, like the Southwest, but not the Northeast. One should go to the great leader who can work with people in breaking through obstructions.
The Image
Wilhelm/Baynes: Water on the mountain: the image of Obstruction. Thus the superior man turns his attention to himself and molds his character.
Legge: Water on the mountain -- the image of Impasse. The superior man turns around to examine himself and cultivate his virtue.
Blofeld: This hexagram symbolizes water upon a mountain. The Superior Man cultivates virtue by bringing about a revolution within himself.
Liu: Water on the mountain symbolizes Obstruction. The superior man reexamines himself and improves his character.
Cleary (1): There is water atop a mountain, halting. Thus do superior people examine themselves and cultivate virtue.
Cleary (2): Water on a mountain – trouble. Developed people examine themselves to cultivate virtue.
Wu: There is water on the mountain; this is Difficulty. Thus, the jun zi examines his own person to polish his virtue.
Line 1
初六: 往蹇, 來譽．
Wilhelm/Baynes: Going leads to obstructions, coming meets with praise.
Legge: The first line, magnetic, shows that advance on the part of its subject will lead to greater difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise.
Blofeld: Going involves trouble; coming wins praise.
Liu: Going leads to obstruction. Coming brings praise. [People should remain in their present positions.]
Shaughnessy: Going afoot, coming in a cart.
Cleary: Going results in trouble, coming in praise.
Wu: Going forth is difficult; coming back is commendable.
Hua-Ching Ni: If one moves forward, obstruction will be encountered. Honorable growth naturally comes to the one who keeps still.
Line 2
六二: 王臣蹇蹇, 匪躬之故．
Wilhelm/Baynes: The king's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction, but it is not his own fault.
Legge: The second line, magnetic, shows the king's servant struggling with difficulty on difficulty, and not with a view to her own advantage.
Blofeld: The King's minister meets with difficulty upon difficulty, but through no fault of his.
Liu: The king's officer meets many obstructions. It is not his fault.
Shaughnessy: The king's servant is so afoot; it is not the body's reason.
Cleary (1): King and vassal both faithful in spite of difficulty, not for their own comfort.
Cleary (2): King and minister recognize trouble as trouble, not for personal reasons.
Wu: A king’s minister is in the depths of difficulties and he disregards his personal gains or losses.
Line 3
九三: 往蹇, 來反．
Wilhelm/Baynes: Going leads to obstructions, hence he comes back.
Legge: The third line, dynamic, shows its subject advancing, but only to greater difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns to his former associates.
Blofeld: To proceed would lead to trouble; therefore turn back!
Liu: Going leads to obstruction. Therefore he returns. He will be happy. [Caution will prevent loss or injury.]
Shaughnessy: Going afoot, coming in return.
Cleary: Going leads to trouble. Come back.
Wu: Going forth is difficult; coming back is the opposite.
Line 4
六四: 往蹇, 來連．
Wilhelm/Baynes: Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to union.
Legge: The fourth line, magnetic, shows its subject advancing, but only to greater difficulties. She remains stationary, and unites with the line above.
Blofeld: To proceed would lead to trouble, whereas those coming will forge useful connections.
Liu: Going leads to obstruction. Coming brings about unity.
Shaughnessy: Going afoot, coming connected.
Cleary (1): Going leads to trouble; come form associations.
Cleary (2): Going means trouble; coming back brings company.
Wu: Going forth is difficult; coming back will find an associate.
Line 5
九五: 大蹇, 朋來．
Wilhelm/Baynes: In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come.
Legge: The fifth line, dynamic, shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him.
Blofeld: In the midst of severe trouble, friends (or a friend) arrive.
Liu: One meets great obstruction. Friends come. [You can expect help in your undertakings and good fortune in everything.]
Shaughnessy: Greatly afoot, the friend comes.
Cleary (1): Great trouble; a companion comes.
Cleary (2): In great trouble, companions come.
Wu: There is great difficulty. Friends will come.
Line 6
上六: 往蹇, 來碩, 吉．利見大人．
Wilhelm/Baynes: Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers one to see the great man.
Legge: The sixth line, magnetic, shows its subject going forward, only to increase the difficulties, while her remaining stationary will be productive of great merit. There will be good fortune, and it will be advantageous to meet with the great man.
Blofeld: To proceed would lead to trouble; coming will produce excellent results. It is advisable to see a great man. [We should seek advice from someone of lofty moral stature and profound wisdom.]
Liu: Going leads to obstruction. Coming brings great events. Good fortune. It is beneficial to see a great man.
Harvesting: visualizing Great People.
Shaughnessy: Going afoot, coming with swelled head; auspicious; beneficial to see a great man.
Cleary: Going is trouble, coming is great. For good results, it is beneficial to see a great person.
Wu: Going forth is difficult; coming back is great. Good fortune. It will be advantageous to see the great man.
Notes
For an in-depth glossary of I Ching, click here.
Hexagram 39 is one of the dangerous hexagrams with the image of a waterfall. Kan represents Water, and Gen represents Mountain. This indicates danger, obstruction, and uncertainty. It implies that many obstacles are blocking your path right now and there’s no way out.
In divination, it means that moving either forward or backward is a challenge. At this time, it would be wise to stand still. Look for someone who can assist you. Stay cautious during this period of hardship.
