Hexagram 39 as yes or no
Hexagram 39 Impasse as a yes-or-no answer
Jian answers 'should I go ahead' with a plain no — every line of the hexagram says 'to go is obstruction' — and answers 'should I hold back' with a yes that is more than resignation. The Judgment adds two positive directions: the south-west, meaning the easier, more open route rather than the direct one, and 'see the great person', meaning seek the help of someone better placed. The mountain cannot be climbed through the water on top of it; it can be gone around, and the time can be used.
The changing line says what 'coming back' means for you. In the lower trigram it means not setting out: line one, wait; line two, if you must go through it for someone else, go, and accept the hardship without expecting reward; line three, return to your own people. In the upper trigram it means acting through others: line four, join forces instead of pressing on alone; line five, stay steady at the centre and let help arrive; line six, you are nearly clear, and the right answer is to turn back and assist. Only line two sanctions going forward, and only on another's behalf.
The hexagram in brief
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.
Don't batter the obstacle; go round, seek help, and use the delay to grow.
The judgment
蹇：利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。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.
Which line changed?
A changing line sharpens the answer. Each line of 蹇 Impasse has its own page:
- 初六Six at the beginninggoing means difficulty · staying brings praise · wait
- 六二Six in the second placethe king's minister · difficulty upon difficulty · not for oneself
- 九三Nine in the third placeturning back · the inner circle rejoices · the one strong line below
- 六四Six in the fourth placejoining forces · already in the water · solid in its place
- 九五Nine in the fifth placethe great obstruction · friends arrive · central virtue
- 上六Six at the topgreat gain in staying · the will turned inward · following the noble
The same hexagram for
Questions
- Does hexagram 39, Impasse, mean yes or no?
- Jian answers 'should I go ahead' with a plain no — every line of the hexagram says 'to go is obstruction' — and answers 'should I hold back' with a yes that is more than resignation. The Judgment adds two positive directions: the south-west, meaning the easier, more open route rather than the direct one, and 'see the great person', meaning seek the help of someone better placed. The mountain cannot be climbed through the water on top of it; it can be gone around, and the time can be used.
- What does Hexagram 39, 蹇 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.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).