I Ching hexagram · 39 of 64
Hexagram 39: Obstruction 蹇 Jiǎn · Obstacles, reflection, finding help
Pause, look inward and seek capable help. The south-west is favourable; the north-east is not. It helps to see a great person. Perseverance brings good fortune.
- Upper: ☵ Water
- Lower: ☶ Mountain
- Nuclear: 64
- Opposite: 38
Number
39 of 64
Chinese name
蹇 Jiǎn
Upper trigram
☵ Water
Lower trigram
☶ Mountain
Nuclear hexagram
䷿ 64. Before Completion
Opposite hexagram
䷥ 38. Opposition
What hexagram 39 means
Hexagram 39 shows water on top of a steep mountain: danger in front and a hard climb behind. It describes obstruction, difficulty and being stuck.
When the way is blocked, don't charge at the obstacle. Pause, look inward, ask wise people for help and choose the easier way round.
The Judgement · 卦辞
蹇：利西南，不利东北；利见大人，贞吉。
The south-west is favourable; the north-east is not. It helps to see a great person. Perseverance brings good fortune.
The Image · 象曰
山上有水，蹇；君子以反身修德。
Water on the mountain: the image of obstruction. The noble person turns their attention inward and builds their character.
The lines and trigrams
Obstruction places ☵ Water (坎 Kǎn), the trigram of danger and depth, above ☶ Mountain (艮 Gèn), the trigram of stillness and restraint. The lower trigram describes the inner situation and the upper trigram the outer world.
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. Lines 1 to 3 form the lower trigram and lines 4 to 6 the upper trigram. Solid lines are yang and broken lines are yin; in the traditional names a yang line is called Nine (九) and a yin line Six (六).
Hexagram 39 in your life
Love and relationships
Obstacles or difficulties block progress. Work on yourself, seek good advice and don't force the issue.
Personal growth
Obstacles are invitations to reflect. Ask what the difficulty is teaching you.
The six changing lines
If you cast hexagram 39 and some lines come out as changing lines, read the text for those lines, then turn each one into its opposite to find the hexagram your situation is moving towards. See how to consult the I Ching.
Line 1 初六 · Six at the beginning
Going on leads to obstruction; coming back meets with praise.
Line 2 六二 · Six in the second place
The king's servant meets obstacle upon obstacle, through no fault of their own.
Line 3 九三 · Nine in the third place
Going on leads to obstruction, so turn back to those who need you.
Line 4 六四 · Six in the fourth place
Going on leads to obstruction; coming back leads to union with helpers.
Line 5 九五 · Nine in the fifth place
In the midst of the greatest obstacles, friends come.
Line 6 上六 · Six at the top
Going on leads to obstruction; coming back leads to great good fortune. It helps to see a great person.
Hexagram 39 questions, answered
What does I Ching hexagram 39 mean?
Hexagram 39, Obstruction (蹇 Jiǎn), is about obstacles, reflection, finding help. Pause, look inward and seek capable help. Hexagram 39 shows water on top of a steep mountain: danger in front and a hard climb behind. It describes obstruction, difficulty and being stuck.
What does hexagram 39 mean in love?
Obstacles or difficulties block progress. Work on yourself, seek good advice and don't force the issue.
What does hexagram 39 mean for work and money?
Projects stall and problems pile up. Step back, consult experts or a mentor and find another route.
Which trigrams make up hexagram 39?
Hexagram 39 has Water (Kǎn) as its upper trigram and Mountain (Gèn) as its lower trigram.
What are the related hexagrams of hexagram 39?
Its nuclear hexagram is 64, Before Completion. Its opposite, with every line changed, is 38, Opposition. Turned upside down it becomes 40, Deliverance.
All 64 hexagrams
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