YisdomYour wisdom for the changing moment

All hexagrams · ← 38 · 40 →

39 · Jiǎn · Obstruction

Water over Mountain — upper Kǎn (deep, dangerous, flowing); lower Gèn (still, resting, bounded)

Hexagram 39, Obstruction (Jiǎn, ), is Water over Mountain. Water on the mountain. An impasse; the way is blocked.

The situation

Water on the mountain. An impasse; the way is blocked.

The counsel

Turn inward and toward helpers. Go the easy way around, not through.

The six lines

Line 1 — Going meets obstruction; coming meets praise.
Line 2 — The servant meets obstruction after obstruction, through no fault of his own.
Line 3 — Going meets obstruction; return home.
Line 4 — Going meets obstruction; coming meets union.
Line 5 — The greatest obstruction. Friends come.
Line 6 — Going meets obstruction; coming brings great good. See the great person.