蹇 Jiǎn Obstruction (Hardship) [hexagram 39]
Water over Mountain
Water element
Lunar month: 11 ; Host (controlling) line : 5
The Descision
Obstruction finds advantage in the south-west but disadvantage in the north-east. Beneficial to meet an eminent person. Perseverance is key to good fortune.
Obstruction – danger ahead, so when this is realized it is wise to pause. ‘Advantage in the south-west’ – advancing towards the middle place. ‘Disadvantage in the north-east’ – this is not the way out. ‘Beneficial to meet an eminent person’ – a rewarding experience. When in the appropriate position ‘perseverance is the key to good fortune’ as the country is restored to order. Marvelous is the application of obstruction!
蹇: 利西南, 不利东北; 利见大人, 贞吉. Jiǎn: lì xī nán, bù lì dōng běi; lì jiàn dà ren, zhēn jí.
彖传: 蹇, 难也, 险在前也. 见险而能止, 知矣哉! 蹇利西南, 往得中也; 不利东北, 其道穷也. 利见大人, 往有功也. 当位贞吉, 以正邦也. 蹇之时用大矣哉! Tuàn zhuàn: Jiǎn, nán yě, xiǎn zài qián yě. Jiàn xiǎn ér néng zhǐ, zhī yǐ zāi! Jiǎn lì xī nán, wǎng dé zhòng yě; bù lì dōng běi, qí dào qióng yě. Lì jiàn dà ren, wǎng yǒu gōng yě. Dāng wèi zhēn jí, yǐ zhèng bāng yě. Jiǎn zhī shí yòng dà yǐ zāi!
The Image
Water hitting Mountain forms ‘Obstruction’. The wise accordingly, turns around examine their character and cultivate virtue.
象传: 山上有水, 蹇; 君子以反身修德. Xiàng zhuàn: Shān shàng yǒu shuǐ, jiǎn; jūn zǐ yǐ fǎn shēn xiū dé.
Going forward meets obstruction, remaining inactive is praiseworthy.
‘Going forward meets obstruction, remaining inactive is praiseworthy’ – advisable to wait.
初六: 往蹇, 来誉. Chū liù: wǎng jiǎn, lái yù.
象传: 往蹇来誉, 宜待也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wǎng jiǎn lái yù, yí dài yě.
The leader’s high official suffers hardship and obstruction but is not at fault.
‘The leader’s high official suffers hardship and obstruction’ – eventually no reproach.
六二: 王臣蹇蹇, 匪躬之故. Liù èr: wáng chén jiǎn jiǎn, fěi gōng zhī gù.
象传: 王臣蹇蹇, 终无尤也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wáng chén jiǎn jiǎn, zhōng wú yóu yě.
Advancing towards further obstruction. Pause and return to old friends.
‘Advancing towards further obstruction. Pause and return to old friends’ – they will be truly joyful.
九三: 往蹇来反. Jiǔ sān: wǎng jiǎn lái fǎn.
象传: 往蹇来反, 内喜之也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wǎng jiǎn lái fǎn, nèi xǐ zhī yě.
Advancing towards further obstruction. Pause and come back to old allies.
‘Advancing towards further obstruction. Pause and come back to old allies’ – an appropriate and robust position.
六四: 往蹇来连. Liù sì: wǎng jiǎn lái lián.
象传: 往蹇来连, 当位实也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wǎng jiǎn lái lián, dāng wèi shí yě.
Great hardship but friends come to help.
‘Great hardship but friends come to help’ – the middle is the virtuous path.
九五: 大蹇朋来. Jiǔ wǔ: dà jiǎn péng lái.
象传: 大蹇朋来, 以中节也. Xiàng zhuàn: Dà jiǎn péng lái, yǐ zhōng jié yě.
Advancing towards further obstruction, so coming back is appropriate. Good fortune and rewarding in meeting an eminent person.
‘Advancing towards further obstruction, so coming back is appropriate.’ – the inner purpose is assisted. ‘Rewarding to meet an eminent person’ – taking a lead from the worthy.
上六: 往蹇来硕, 吉; 利见大人. Shàng liù: wǎng jiǎn lái shuò, jí; lì jiàn dà ren.
象传: 往蹇来硕, 志在内也. 利见大人, 以从贵也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wǎng jiǎn lái shuò, zhì zài nèi yě. lì jiàn dà ren, yǐ cóng guì yě.
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