Hexagram 39 · Obstruction

蹇 · Jiǎn

Hexagram 39, Obstruction (蹇, Jiǎn), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Mountain below and Water above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “利西南，不利东北；利见大人，贞吉。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with obstruction, and the wisdom of pausing. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Mountain (艮) — stillness and knowing when to stop
Upper trigram: Water (坎) — depth, danger and constancy in flow
Symbol: ䷦ · Name: 蹇 (Jiǎn) · Number: 39 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   往蹇，来誉。
   The Image says: “往蹇，来誉”，宜待也。
2. 六二 (六二)
   王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
   The Image says: “王臣蹇蹇”，终无尤也。
3. 九三 (九三)
   往蹇，来反。
   The Image says: “往蹇，来反”，内喜之也。
4. 六四 (六四)
   往蹇，来连。
   The Image says: “往蹇，来连”，当位实也。
5. 九五 (九五)
   大蹇，朋来。
   The Image says: “大蹇，朋来”，以中节也。
6. Top line (yin) (上六)
   往蹇，来硕；吉，利见大人。
   The Image says: “往蹇，来硕”，志在内也；“利见大人”，以从贵也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 39?

Hexagram 39 is Obstruction (蹇, Jiǎn), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Mountain below and Water above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Obstruction?

The judgment of Obstruction reads, in the Chinese original: “利西南，不利东北；利见大人，贞吉。”. Its Great Image reads: “山上有水，蹇。君子以反身修德。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Obstruction symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Obstruction is associated with obstruction, and the wisdom of pausing. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.