Hexagram 39 · ䷦
Obstruction. It furthers to go southwest, not northeast. It furthers to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Judgment
Obstruction. It furthers to go southwest, not northeast. It furthers to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Image
Water on the mountain represents Obstruction. The noble person turns inward to cultivate character.
Lines
Going leads to obstructions; coming back meets with praise. The king's servant beset by obstruction upon obstruction—it is not his own fault. Going leads to obstructions; he comes...
Obstruction. It furthers to go southwest, not to go northeast. It furthers to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Obstruction. It furthers to go southwest, not northeast. It furthers to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Obstruction means difficulty. Seeing the danger ahead, one stops. To know when to stop is wise indeed. It furthers to go southwest because one goes and obtains the middle. Not to go northeast is because the way comes to an end. It furthers to see the great man because going brings success. Being in the right place and persevering brings good fortune because one can set the state in order. The use of the time of Obstruction is indeed great.
Obstruction means difficulty. Seeing danger ahead, one stops—this is wisdom. Going southwest obtains the middle; not going northeast because the way ends. Seeing the great man brings success; being in the right place sets the state in order.
Water on the mountain: the image of Obstruction. The noble person turns around and cultivates his own character.
Water on the mountain represents Obstruction. The noble person turns inward to cultivate character.
Going leads to obstructions, coming meets with praise.
Going leads to obstructions; coming back meets with praise.
Small Image
Going leads to obstructions, coming meets with praise: it is proper to wait.
Going meets obstructions, coming brings praise—it is proper to wait.
The king's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction, but it is not his own fault.
The king's servant beset by obstruction upon obstruction—it is not his own fault.
Small Image
The king's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction: in the end no blame is attached.
The king's servant beset by obstructions finally has no blame attached.
Going leads to obstructions; he comes back.
Going leads to obstructions; he comes back.
Small Image
Going leads to obstructions, he comes back: those within rejoice.
Coming back from obstructions brings joy to those within.
Going leads to obstructions, he comes back and joins his friends.
Going leads to obstructions; he comes back to join friends.
Small Image
Going leads to obstructions, he comes back and joins his friends: his place is in the center and his task is substantial.
Coming back to join friends shows central position and substantial task.
In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come.
In the midst of greatest obstructions, friends come.
Small Image
In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come: because he holds to the mean and the correct.
Friends coming in greatest obstructions shows holding to mean and correct.
Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers to see the great man.
Going leads to obstructions; coming brings great good fortune. It furthers to see the great man.
Small Image
Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to great good fortune: his will is directed within. It furthers to see the great man: because he follows what is esteemed.
Coming brings great good fortune because will is directed within; seeing the great man means following the esteemed.
What does Chien / Obstruction mean in the I Ching?
Obstruction. It furthers to go southwest, not northeast. It furthers to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.
How should I study Hexagram 39 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. Going leads to obstructions; coming back meets with praise. The king's servant beset by obstruction upon obstruction—it is not his own fault. Going leads to obstructions; he comes...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
Obstruction means difficulty. Seeing danger ahead, one stops—this is wisdom. Going southwest obtains the middle; not going northeast because the way ends. Seeing the great man brings success; being in the right place set...
Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.
Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.