Hexagram 39 · 蹇 · jiǎn
Hexagram 39. Jiǎn · Obstruction
☵☶ Water over mountain: Kǎn above, Gèn below.
In (the state indicated by) K ien advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous (also) to meet
In (the state indicated by) K ien advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous (also) to meet
A chasm ahead, a mountain behind: the straight road is closed. Obstruction commands not assault but a turning inward: the cause of the block is often within. Seek the roundabout way — the 'southwest', the side of ease and allies — and do not hesitate to ask help of one wiser than yourself.
The Image
Water before the mountain: the straight road closed on both sides. Obstruction of this kind is not stormed — it is bypassed and rethought. Three moves: halt (do not deepen the jam), turn inward (part of the cause is always within), and seek the 'southwest' — the side of ease, allies, the roundabout route. Asking help of the wiser is not weakness but method.
Interpretation of hexagram 39
XXXIX. The ./Tien Hexagram. may overcome their evil, and at least it will help to silence their slanderous tongues.
The lines of hexagram 39
First line
From the first line, divided, we learn that advance (on the part of its subject) will lead to (greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise.
Line 5 is weak, and its subject is the proper correlate of the strong 2. They might meet openly; but for the separation and disunion that mark the time. A casual, as it were a stolen, inter¬ view, as in a bye-lane or passage, however will be useful, and may lead on to a better understanding.
Second line
The second line, divided, shows the minister of the king struggling with difficulty on difficulty, and not with a view to his own advantage.
Line 3 is weak, where it ought to be strong. Its correlate, how¬ ever, in 6 is strong, and the relation between them might seem what it ought to be. But the weak 3 is between the strong lines in 2 and 4; and in a time of disunion there ensue the checking and repulsion emblemed in the Text. At the same time the subject of line 6 inflicts on that of 3 the punishments which are mentioned. It is thus bad for 3 at first, but we are told that in the end it will be well with him; and this will be due to the strength of the sixth line. The conclusion grows out of a conviction in the mind of the author that what is right and good is destined to triumph over what is wrong and bad. Disorder shall in the long run give place to order, and disunion to union.
Third line
The third line, undivided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns (to his former associates).
Line 4 has no proper correlate, and might seem to be solitary. But, as we saw on line 1, in this hexagram, correlates of the same class help each other. Hence the subjects of 4 and 1, meeting together, work with good will and success.
Fourth line
The fourth line, divided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line above).
The place of 5 is odd, but the line itself is weak, so that there might arise occasion for repentance. But the strong 2 is a proper correlate to the weak 5. Five being the sovereign’s place, the sub¬ ject of 2 is styled the sovereign’s relative, of the same surname
Fifth line
The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him.
with the great man. (In these circumstances), with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune.
Top line
The topmost line, divided, shows its subject going forward, (only to increase) the difficulties,
with him, and head of some branch of the descendants of the royal house. It is as easy for 5, so supported, to deal with the disunion of the time, as to bite through a piece of skin.
Did hexagram 39 come up in your reading? The oracle itself gives the full reading, with changing lines and the second hexagram.
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