A steep mountain behind, a ravine of water ahead: the way is blocked. Jian is the hexagram of obstacles, and its wisdom is that obstacles are best met not by charging at them but by pausing, turning inward and seeking help. Go around rather than through; join with others; use the difficulty as a chance to examine yourself and grow.
Judgment
蹇：利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。
Hardship: favorable in the southwest, not favorable in the northeast. Favorable to see the great person. Steadfastness: good fortune.
Image
山上有水，蹇；君子以反身修德。
Water over the mountain: hardship. Taking this as a model, the noble one looks back at themself and works on their own virtue.
- Facing obstacles
- Turning inward
- Seeking help and allies
- Going around rather than through
- Growth through difficulty
- obstacle
- impasse
- reflection
- help
- patience
- self-examination
- When blocked, pause and look inward before pushing on.
- Seek allies and guidance; don't face obstacles alone.
- The easier route is not cowardice.
The six lines
Lines are numbered from the bottom. In a reading, only the lines that are changing apply to your cast.
Line 1Six at the beginning 初六
Line text
往蹇，來譽。
Going brings hardship; coming back brings praise.
At the first sign of an obstacle, step back and wait for a better moment. This restraint earns respect.
- Waiting at the obstacle
- Prudent restraint
- Charging into the obstacle
- Recognition for wise waiting
Line 2Six in the second place 六二
Line text
王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
The king's servant struggles on and on, not for his own sake.
Duty requires you to confront difficulties head-on, not for your own sake but for others. In this case, struggling is not a mistake.
- Duty in difficulty
- Obstacles that are not your fault
- Blaming yourself for circumstances
- Honor in facing difficulty for others
Line 3Nine in the third place 九三
Line text
往蹇來反。
Going brings hardship; one comes back home.
Pushing ahead would risk those who depend on you. Returning to them is the right choice and is welcomed.
- Returning to those who need you
- Protecting dependents
- Risking others for your own advance
- Finding joy in returning
Line 4Six in the fourth place 六四
Line text
往蹇來連。
Going brings hardship; coming back brings allies.
You can't overcome this alone. Wait and gather reliable allies; together you will be able to move.
- Building alliances
- Not acting alone
- Going it alone
- Strength through union
Line 5Nine in the fifth place 九五
Line text
大蹇朋來。
In great hardship, friends arrive.
Someone responsible stands in the middle of the hardest difficulty, and help arrives. Steadfastness attracts support when it is needed most.
- Help arriving in crisis
- Steadfast center
- Despair before help arrives
- Support gathering around you
Line 6Six at the top 上六
Line text
往蹇來碩，吉；利見大人。
Going brings hardship; coming back brings greatness: good fortune. Favorable to see the great person.
Someone who has already risen above the struggle is called back to help. Returning to contribute your experience brings great good fortune.
- Returning to help
- Wisdom from experience
- Remaining aloof when you are needed
- Great results from rejoining the effort
Related hexagrams
Have a question on your mind?
Cast a readingChinese text: Zhouyi 周易 (received classical text). English rendering and notes: Site rendering. About our sources
Commentary
Water (danger) lies ahead and a mountain (stillness) behind. Jian means limping, struggling forward with difficulty. The judgment's geography is symbolic: the southwest is the open, yielding plain, the northeast the steep mountains. Choose the easier terrain, seek out wise people, and persevere. The reading may suggest that you have hit a real obstacle and that forcing it will make matters worse.
The image gives the most important instruction: turn back to yourself and work on your own character. Obstacles often show where you need to grow. The lines alternate between going (meeting obstruction) and coming back (finding support). In relation to a question, Jian may emphasize retreat to regroup, collaboration and self-reflection as the way forward.