Hexagram 39: Obstruction (Jian)

Hexagram

39. Obstruction · Jian

Structure of the sign

The hexagram represents a dangerous abyss lying ahead; behind one rises the steep, inaccessible mountain. Thus one is surrounded by obstacles. But in the mountain's attribute of keeping still there lies at the same time a hint as to how one may extricate oneself from the obstructions. The hexagram represents obstacles that arise in the course of time, but which can and should be overcome. Therefore all the guidance given is directed toward surmounting the obstructions.

The Judgment

Obstruction. The southwest furthers. The northeast does not further. It furthers one to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune. The southwest is the region of retreat, the northeast the region of advance. Here a situation is presented where obstacles confront one that cannot be directly overcome. In this case, it is wisdom to halt in the face of danger and retreat. This retreat, however, is merely a preparation for surmounting the obstacles. One must join with like-minded friends and submit to the leadership of a man equal to the situation; then one will succeed in removing the obstacles. For this, a steadfast attitude of perseverance is required, precisely when one seemingly must do something that leads away from the goal. This unswerving inner orientation ultimately brings good fortune. An obstruction that lasts only for a time is of value in the development of one's own character. This is the value of adversity.

The Image

Water on the mountain: the image of Obstruction. Thus the superior man turns to his own person and molds his character. Difficulties and obstructions throw a man back upon himself. But whereas the inferior man seeks the fault outside in other people and blames fate, the superior man seeks the error within himself, and through this introspection the external hindrance becomes for him an occasion for inner enrichment and cultivation.

The lines

Line 1

Going leads to obstructions, coming meets with praise. When confronted with an obstacle, the question is how best to deal with it. When a danger threatens us, we must not blindly press forward; that would only lead to entanglements. Rather, it is proper to withdraw at first, not to give up the fight, but to await the right moment for action.

Line 2

The king's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction. But it is not his own fault. While ordinarily it is best to bypass an obstacle and seek to overcome it along the line of least resistance, there is one case in which one must go to meet difficulty, even though difficulty piles upon difficulty: namely, when the path of duty dictates that one cannot act out of free choice, but has the duty to seek out danger in the service of a higher cause. Then one may do so with complete inner composure, because one has not brought oneself into this difficult situation through one's own fault.

Line 3

Going leads to obstructions; hence he comes back. While the previous line shows the official who must tread the path of danger for the sake of duty, here is shown the man who must act as father of a family or head of his house. If he were recklessly to plunge into danger, it would be useless, for those entrusted to his care cannot advance on their own. If, on the other hand, he turns back and returns to his own, they receive him with great joy.

Line 4

Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to union. Here too a situation is depicted that one cannot master alone. In such a case, the straight path is not the shortest. If one sought to press forward by one's own strength without the necessary preparations, one would not find the necessary support and would realize too late that the calculations were deceptive, as the circumstances one hoped to rely upon prove too weak. Therefore, in this case it is better to hold back initially and gather reliable companions upon whom one can rely to overcome the obstructions.

Line 5▶ ruling line

In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come. Here we see the man called to master the emergency. He must not seek to avoid the obstacles, even though they tower threateningly before him. But because he truly has a higher calling, the power of his spirit is strong enough to attract people to him so that they come and help him, and he is able to organize them effectively, so that through the well-planned collaboration of all involved, the obstruction is overcome.

Line 6

Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers one to see the great man. Here someone is portrayed who has already left the world and its turmoil behind. Now when the time of obstructions comes upon the world, it might seem simplest for him merely to turn his back on the world and take refuge in the beyond. But this path is barred to him. He may not achieve blessedness alone and abandon the world to its misery. Rather, his duty calls him once more back into the turmoil of the world. Precisely his experience and inner freedom enable him then to achieve something great and mature that brings good fortune. And it furthers one to see the great man, in conjunction with whom one can accomplish the work of rescue.

Below ☶ Mountain (Gen)

Direction: NE
Element: Mountain · Stone
Attributes: Keeping Still · Firm · Immovable · Setting Boundaries
Family: Youngest Son

Above ☵ Water (Kan)

Direction: N
Element: Water · Moon
Attributes: Abysmal · Dangerous · Penetrating · Profound
Family: Middle Son