Jian 水山蹇
A time when the road is blocked
The way ahead is blocked. Go around and ask for help instead of forcing through.
What does I Ching hexagram 39 (Obstruction) mean?
Water blocked at the top of a mountain, like a limping walker. The road is hard, so stop, reflect and seek help.
- Obstruction in love
- There are obstacles, so don’t rush; ask for wise advice.
- Obstruction at work and with money
- The way ahead is blocked, so go around or pause.
- Advice
- In hard times, join forces with like-minded people.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Obstruction
Auspicious“The southwest is favorable, the northeast is not. It is fitting to meet a great person; perseverance brings good fortune.”
The Image: Water on the mountain: obstruction. The noble person turns inward and cultivates virtue.
原文 · 利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。 / 山上有水，蹇；君子以反身修德。
The six lines of hexagram 39
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初六
Neutral“Going brings obstruction, coming brings praise.”
Pressing forward meets obstacles. Pausing wins respect.
原文 · 往蹇，來譽。
Line 2 · 六二
Neutral“The king’s servant is faced with obstruction upon obstruction, but not for his own sake.”
You struggle on for a cause, not for yourself. That is honorable.
原文 · 王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
Line 3 · 九三
Neutral“Going brings obstruction; coming back, he returns.”
Don’t push on; return to your base.
原文 · 往蹇來反。
Line 4 · 六四
Neutral“Going brings obstruction; coming back, he joins others.”
Gathering with others is better than going alone.
原文 · 往蹇來連。
Line 5 · 九五
Neutral“In great obstruction, friends come.”
In the worst of it, allies show up.
原文 · 大蹇朋來。
Line 6 · 上六
Auspicious“Going brings obstruction, coming brings great reward: good fortune. It is fitting to meet a great person.”
Stay put and seek out the sage. A reward follows.
原文 · 往蹇來碩，吉；利見大人。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 38. Kui (Opposition)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 40. Xie (Deliverance)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.