Classical Text 古典文獻 · I Ching 易經
Hexagram 39 — Water over Mountain (水山蹇) - Obstruction
蹇
Lower Canon 下經
Hexagram Symbol & Trigrams
卦象與八卦
Judgment
卦辭
蹇：利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。
Obstruction. The southwest furthers. The northeast does not further. It furthers one to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Image
象傳
象曰：山上有水，蹇；君子以反身修德。
Water on the mountain: the image of Obstruction. Thus the superior man turns his attention to himself and molds his character.
Interpretation
詮釋
蹇卦象徵困難與阻礙。水在山上，前進艱難。應反省修德，求助賢人。
Obstruction and difficulty. Water on mountain, progress difficult. Should reflect and cultivate virtue, seek help from the wise.
Six Lines
爻辭
Six at the beginning
初六
往蹇，來譽。
Going leads to obstructions, coming meets with praise.
前往遇阻，退回得譽。知難而退，明智之舉。
Going meets obstruction, returning gains praise. Knowing when to retreat is wisdom.
Six in the second place
六二
王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
The king's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction, but it is not his own fault.
王臣遭遇重重困難，不是自己的過錯。為公忘私，忠誠可嘉。
King's minister encounters many difficulties, not his own fault. Selfless devotion to duty, loyalty commendable.
Nine in the third place
九三
往蹇來反。
Going leads to obstructions; hence he comes back.
前往遇阻，因此返回。見難即止，回歸本位。
Going meets obstruction, therefore returns. Stopping when facing difficulty, returning to proper position.
Six in the fourth place
六四
往蹇來連。
Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to union.
前往遇阻，回來得聯合。退而求助，團結力量。
Going meets obstruction, returning achieves union. Retreat to seek help, unite forces.
Nine in the fifth place
九五
大蹇朋來。
In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come.
遭遇大難，朋友前來相助。處尊位有德，危難時得援助。
Meeting great difficulty, friends come to help. In high position with virtue, receives aid in crisis.
Six at the top
上六
往蹇來碩，吉；利見大人。
Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers one to see the great man.
前往遇阻，回來得大成就，吉；利於見大人。克服困難後獲巨大成功。
Going meets obstruction, returning brings great achievement, fortune; benefits seeing the great man. After overcoming difficulty gains great success.
Source: I Ching (易經), Hexagram 39