Hexagram 39, line 3
九三Line 3 of Impasse
Nine in the third place · 蹇 jiǎn
爻辭 The line text
往蹇來反。The third line, undivided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns (to his former associates).
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.
In plain words
To go is obstruction; to come back is a return. Line three is the only yang line in the lower trigram, the summit of Gen the mountain, and the last solid ground before the water. It is strong and in its correct place, and the two yin lines beneath it depend on it; if it goes forward into Kan it abandons them for danger, and if it turns back it is welcomed. The small Image says 'those within rejoice in him' (內喜之). The line is tempted by its own strength — it is the one line that could try the crossing — and it is told that the people behind it are worth more than the attempt.
If this line is changing
You could probably push ahead on your own strength, but the people who rely on you are behind you, not in front; go back to them and be glad of it.
Where the line stands
- A solid line, yang — written 九 (nine), the number of an old yang line that moves when cast.
- It is in its correct place (當位): a yang line in an odd position or a yin line in an even one, which the tradition reads as a line at ease where it stands.
- It belongs to the lower trigram 艮 Gen (Keeping Still) (mountain).
- It corresponds (應) with line 6: one yin and one yang, the two lines answer each other across the hexagram.
之卦 When this line moves
蹇 Impasse becomes ䷇ 8 比 Alliance
Water on the earth, flowing together: alliance and mutual support. Favourable to unite around a worthy centre; latecomers who hesitate lose their chance.
What it becomes8 · 比 AlliancebǐThe six lines of 蹇 Impasse
- 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
Read 蹇 Impasse for a question about
Questions about this line
- What does Nine in the third place of hexagram 39, Impasse, mean?
- To go is obstruction; to come back is a return. Line three is the only yang line in the lower trigram, the summit of Gen the mountain, and the last solid ground before the water. It is strong and in its correct place, and the two yin lines beneath it depend on it; if it goes forward into Kan it abandons them for danger, and if it turns back it is welcomed. The small Image says 'those within rejoice in him' (內喜之). The line is tempted by its own strength — it is the one line that could try the crossing — and it is told that the people behind it are worth more than the attempt.
- What does hexagram 39 become when line 3 changes?
- Impasse becomes hexagram 8, 比 Alliance: Water on the earth, flowing together: alliance and mutual support. Favourable to unite around a worthy centre; latecomers who hesitate lose their chance.
- Is line 3 of Impasse in its correct place?
- It is in its correct place (當位): a yang line in an odd position or a yin line in an even one, which the tradition reads as a line at ease where it stands.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).