蹇
39. Obstruction
jiǎn; Blocked path
Judgment
蹇：利西南，不利东北；利见大人，贞吉。
The southwest furthers; the northeast does not. It furthers one to see the great person. Perseverance brings good fortune. When the road is hard, choose the practicable route and seek the wise.
Image
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 to themself and moulds their character.
Lines
- Line 1, yin (six)
初六：往蹇，来誉。
Going leads to obstructions; coming meets with praise. Stopping now is wise.
- Line 2, yin (six)
六二：王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
The king's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction, but it is not his own fault. Bearing difficulty for the greater good—no blame.
- Line 3, yang (nine)
九三：往蹇来反。
Going leads to obstructions; hence he comes back. Return to a safe base and re-plan.
- Line 4, yin (six)
六四：往蹇来连。
Going leads to obstructions; coming leads to union. You cannot go alone—ally.
- Line 5, yang (nine)
九五：大蹇朋来。
In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come. Those at the centre receive support in great difficulty.
- Line 6, yin (six)
上六：往蹇来硕，吉；利见大人。
Going leads to obstructions; coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers one to see the great person. Change strategy; enlist authority and wisdom.
In the enterprise
The hexagram of obstacles, blockage and re-routing: stalled projects, blocked market access, difficult approvals, broken supply chains. The point is not to force through but to 'turn to oneself': look for causes within, and choose the more level path.
Psychological lens
Resonates with internal locus of control and reframing in problem solving; 'coming leads to union' reflects how social support buffers stress.
Related hexagrams
64. 未济 Before Completion
Lines 2–4 and 3–5: the hidden dynamics inside the situation.Opposite
38. 睽 Opposition
Every line reversed: the shadow side and blind spots.Inverse
40. 解 Deliverance
The figure turned upside down: the counterpart's or stakeholder's view.King Wen pair
40. 解 Deliverance
Situations in the library that use this hexagram
- Supply-chain disruption Enterprise, Line 4, yin (six)
- A seriously delayed project Enterprise, Line 3, yang (nine)
- Facing a regulatory investigation Enterprise, Line 2, yin (six)
- Supply breakdown during a crisis Enterprise, Line 5, yang (nine)
- Finding opportunity after a crisis Enterprise, Line 6, yin (six)
- Hitting a learning plateau Individuals, Judgment
- Caring for an ill relative Individuals, Line 2, yin (six)
- Seeking professional financial advice Individuals, Judgment
- A performance plateau Individuals, Line 1, yin (six)
- Culture shock Individuals, Line 4, yin (six)
- Failing an exam Individuals, Line 3, yang (nine)
- A language barrier Individuals, Judgment
Situation readings are a reflective framework for discussion—not predictions and not a substitute for professional advice.