39. Chien

蹇 · Jiǎn

39
Jiǎn

Chien

彖 · Tuan

Judgment

Favorable in the southwest, not favorable in the northeast. Favorable to see a person of stature. Perseverance brings Good fortune.
彖傳 · Tuan Zhuan

Judgment Commentary

Obstruction means difficulty: danger lies ahead. To see danger and yet know to stop, how wise. Obstruction is favorable in the southwest because going there gains the center. It is not favorable in the northeast because that path runs to exhaustion. It is favorable to see a person of stature because going there brings achievement. Properly placed perseverance brings Good fortune because it sets the state right. Great indeed is the timely use of Obstruction.
象 · Xiang

Image

Water on the mountain: Obstruction. The Noble One turns back to the self and cultivates virtue.
六爻 · Six Lines

Lines

Line 06
Top Six
Going on brings obstruction; coming back brings greatness. Good fortune. Favorable to see a person of stature.
Commentary
Going on brings obstruction, while coming back brings greatness because the will turns inward. Favorable to see a person of stature means following what is honored.
Line 05
Nine in the Fifth
In great obstruction, friends come.
Commentary
When the obstruction is great and friends come, centeredness provides measure.
Line 04
Six in the Fourth
Going on brings obstruction; coming back brings joining.
Commentary
Going on brings obstruction, while coming back brings joining. Being in the proper place gives real substance.
Line 03
Nine in the Third
Going on brings obstruction; coming back means return.
Commentary
Going on brings obstruction, while coming back means return. Those within rejoice at this.
Line 02
Six in the Second
The king's servant faces difficulty upon difficulty, not for the sake of self.
Commentary
The king's servant faces difficulty upon difficulty, yet in the end there is no fault.
Line 01
Initial Six
Going on brings obstruction; coming back brings praise.
Commentary
Going on brings obstruction, while coming back brings praise. It is right to wait.
卦象 · Guà Xiàng

Trigrams

Upper Trigram

K'an

Dangerous

Element
Water
Direction
North
Season
Winter
Lower Trigram

Kên

Still