Hexagram 39: Obstruction

Hexagram 39, Obstruction (Jiǎn, 蹇), is formed of the upper trigram Water (坎) over the lower trigram Mountain (艮). Below is the classical judgment, the six line texts, and how to read this hexagram in a reading.

The Judgment

Trigrams

The outer (upper) trigram Water describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Mountain describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of Obstruction.

The Six Lines

• 初六 · Line 1 Going leads into obstruction; staying earns praise.往蹇，来誉。
• 六二 · Line 2 The king's servant meets hardship upon hardship — not for his own sake.王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
• 九三 · Line 3 Going leads into obstruction; hence, turn back.往蹇，来反。
• 六四 · Line 4 Going leads into obstruction; coming back, one finds allies.往蹇，来连。
• 九五 · Line 5 In the greatest obstruction, friends arrive.大蹇，朋来。
• 上六 · Line 6 Going means obstruction; returning brings great gain. See the great person.往蹇，来硕；吉，利见大人。

Reading Hexagram 39 for Your Question

When Obstruction appears without changing lines, the judgment above stands as the whole answer. When you cast changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read those line texts first — they are the most specific guidance — then look to the relating hexagram they form for where the situation is heading. For love, career, or a decision, apply the theme of Obstruction to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.