Obstruction (蹇, Jiǎn) is hexagram 39 of the 64 hexagrams of the I
Ching, in the traditional King Wen order. It is made of Water (☵) above
Mountain (☶).
Meaning of hexagram 39
A hard barrier blocks your way. Pushing ahead is not wise; step back,
reflect on yourself and seek support.
Advice
Look inward, ask for wise counsel, and go around instead of through.
The two trigrams
Obstruction places ☵ Water (Kǎn), deep, flowing and dangerous, above ☶
Mountain (Gèn), still, steady and restrained. The lower trigram is the
inner side of the situation and the upper one its outer side.
Hexagram
39. Obstruction
Chinese name
蹇 Jiǎn
Upper trigram
☵ Water (Kǎn)
Lower trigram
☶ Mountain (Gèn)
Lines
2 yang (solid) and 4 yin (broken)
Place in the sequence
39 of 64 (King Wen order)
The six lines of Obstruction
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. In a reading, a changing
line (a 6 or a 9 in the three-coin method) draws attention to its
position.
First line(yin, broken): the beginning. The root
of the matter: early stirrings, foundations, and what has not yet
shown itself.
Second line(yin, broken): the inner circle. Your
immediate surroundings and steady supports: how things work at close
range.
Third line(yang, solid): the threshold. A point
of tension between inner and outer, often a test or a restless push
forward.
Fourth line(yin, broken): the approach. Stepping
into wider circles or nearer to authority; caution and good
relationships matter here.
Fifth line(yang, solid): the center of power. The
place of influence and clear leadership: where the situation is most
fully expressed.
Sixth line(yin, broken): the culmination. The far
edge of the situation: completion, overreach, or letting go.