Obstruction
Water (坎 Kǎn) above, Mountain (艮 Gèn) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 39, 蹇 (Jiǎn), represents Obstruction.
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 39 (蹇 Jiǎn). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/jian). Judgment: received Zhouyi hexagram statement (卦辭). English: Translation by Oriens Editorial Translation. Image: Xiang / Image commentary layer (象傳), distinct from the Judgment and line texts. Image and line English: named translation by James Legge, The Yî King (1899), public-domain translation; online reproduction. The named translation is used for the Image and line statements only.
1. Judgment (卦辭 Guàcí)
蹇：利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。
Oriens Editorial Translation: The southwest is favorable; the northeast is not. It is favorable to see a great person. Steadfastness brings good fortune.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
山上有水,蹇。君子以反身修德。
James Legge: (The trigram representing) a mountain, and above it that for water, form Kien. The superior man, in accordance with this, turns round (and examines) himself, and cultivates his virtue.
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初六：往蹇，來譽。
James Legge: From the first SIX, divided, we learn that advance (on the part of its subject) will lead to (greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise.
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
六二：王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
James Legge: The second SIX, divided, shows the minister of the king struggling with difficulty on difficulty, and not with a view to his own advantage.
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
九三：往蹇來反。
James Legge: The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns (to his former associates).
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
六四：往蹇來連。
James Legge: The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line above).
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
九五：大蹇朋來。
James Legge: The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him.
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上六：往蹇來碩，吉；利見大人。
James Legge: The topmost SIX, divided, shows its subject going forward, (only to increase) the difficulties, while his remaining stationary will be (productive of) great (merit). There will be good fortune, and it will be advantageous to meet with the great man.
For the general method for changing lines and relating hexagrams, see How to Read the I Ching.
4. Modern Interpretation (Oriens commentary)
This is an Oriens interpretation, not part of the Zhouyi text.
Obstruction can prompt a careful question about hindrance: what blocks forward movement here, and does pushing on differ from turning aside? The figure's own counsel favors turning toward allies and away from blind advance — kept as the figure's geography.
The Chinese source and translation provenance are identified above. The Judgment is an Oriens Editorial Translation; the Image and line statements are labeled with James Legge. This keeps the modern reflection separate from both the received text and the named translation.
Nothing predicts when an obstruction lifts. Health, financial, legal, employment, and relationship decisions belong within their appropriate professional and personal contexts.
Continue with the Hexagram 39 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.