Home / Hexagrams / Hexagram 39
Hexagram 39: Obstruction
蹇 · Jiǎn
Obstruction. The southwest furthers. The northeast does not further. It furthers one to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.Judgment 卦辭
Water on the mountain: the image of Obstruction. The superior man turns back to examine himself and cultivates his virtue.Image 象辭
Core Meaning of Hexagram 39
Hexagram 39 is the blocked road — water frozen on the high mountain, ahead impassable. External obstruction is real and not of your making. Its directions are code: turn away from the difficult northeast (the direct assault) toward the southwest (level ground, allies, the workable). Meet the great man — seek help from the capable. And turn inward: obstruction is also a mirror.
Hexagram 39 in a Reading
In a reading, stop pushing at the wall — it will not move and you are bleeding. Three moves instead: seek strong allies and counsel; shift to where conditions are actually easier (other markets, other tactics, other people); use the block as study time — skills, character, patience. Obstructions end. Those who used the block well arrive at the end of it stronger than they entered.
Common Questions
What does hexagram 39 mean?
Hexagram 39 is the blocked road — water frozen on the high mountain, ahead impassable. Read the full meaning above, or cast your own reading with our free online I Ching coins.
What is the structure of hexagram 39?
Hexagram 39 is built from the trigram Water above and Mountain below — binary 001010 read from the bottom line to the top. Obstruction is King Wen number 39 of the 64 hexagrams.
Related Hexagrams
Other Hexagrams with Trigram Water Above
Keywords: i ching hexagram 39, hexagram 39 meaning, obstruction, jian, water over mountain, difficulties, blocked path, hardship, southwest northeast