jiǎnAlso known as “Obstruction” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Kien” (Legge)
obstructionimpasseturning inward
In plain words
Water on the mountain: a hard pass. Favourable to the southwest, not the northeast; see the great man — obstruction is a time to turn back and cultivate yourself.
The attitude it asks for
Don't batter the obstacle; go round, seek help, and use the delay to grow.
In (the state indicated by) Kien advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man. (In these circumstances), with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune.
Kien denotes difficulty. There is (the trigram expressive of) perilousness in front. When one, seeing the peril, can arrest his steps (in accordance with the significance of the lower trigram), is he not wise?
(The language of) Kien, that 'advantage will be found in the south-west,' refers to the (strong fifth line) advanced and in the central place. That 'there will be no advantage in the north-east,' intimates that the way (of dealing with the Kien state) is exhausted. That 'it will be advantageous to see the great man,' intimates that advance will lead to achievement. That the places (of the different lines after the first) are those appropriate to them indicates firm correctness and good fortune, with which the regions (of the kingdom) are brought to their normal state. Great indeed is the work to be done in the time of Kien!
The Image
山上有水，蹇；君子以反身修德。
(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.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上六Six at the top
往蹇來碩，吉；利見大人。
The topmost line, 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.
Its symbolism
往蹇來碩，志在內也。利見大人，以從貴也。
'To advance will (only) increase the difficulties, while his remaining stationary will (be productive of) great (merit):'—his aim is to assist the (subject of the line) inside of him. 'It will be advantageous to meet the great man:'—by his course he follows that noble (lord of the figure).
The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him.
Its symbolism
大蹇朋來，以中節也。
'He struggles with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming (to help him):'—he is in the central position, and possesses the requisite virtue.
The fourth line, divided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line above).
Its symbolism
往蹇來連，當位實也。
'To advance will (only be to) encounter (greater) difficulties; he remains stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line above):'—that is in its proper place and has the solidity (due to it in that position).
The third line, undivided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns (to his former associates).
Its symbolism
往蹇來反，內喜之也。
'He advances, (but only) to (greater) difficulty; he remains stationary, and returns to his former associates:'—they, (represented in) the inner (trigram), rejoice in him.
From the first line, divided, we learn that advance (on the part of its subject) will lead to (greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise.
Its symbolism
往蹇來譽，宜待也。
'Advancing will conduct to (greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise:'—the proper course is to wait.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 39, Impasse, mean?
Water on the mountain: a hard pass. Favourable to the southwest, not the northeast; see the great man — obstruction is a time to turn back and cultivate yourself.
Which trigrams form Impasse?
坎 above 艮 — water over mountain. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 未濟 Not Yet Crossed.
What happens when a line of Impasse changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Impasse in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern - - - - — - - — - - is Impasse. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.