Hexagram 39 Jian - Complete Guide Part 2: The Six Lines and the Stages of Obstruction
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BY NICOLE LAU
Hexagram 39 Jian - Complete Guide Part 2: The Six Lines and the Stages of Obstruction
Jian’s six lines read like a field manual for navigating an impassable mountain pass. The journey moves from the initial wisdom of turning back, through the selfless sacrifice of the king's servant, to the ultimate resolution where the greatest obstacle is overcome through the intervention of a great leader. It is a profound study in knowing when to advance and when to wait.
Line 1 — Six at the Bottom: Waiting at the Edge
Going leads to obstructions, coming meets with praise.
The first line describes a person at the very beginning of the journey who sees the massive obstruction ahead. The immediate instinct might be to charge forward to prove one's courage. The I Ching advises exactly the opposite: "Going leads to obstructions." If you push forward now, you will run headlong into a wall you cannot climb. "Coming" (retreating, stepping back, or waiting) is the correct action. By having the wisdom to stop before becoming entangled in the danger, you preserve your energy and meet with praise for your good judgment.
- Stage: Recognizing the obstacle before engaging it
- Action: Do not advance; step back and wait for a better opportunity
- Wisdom: Praise — true courage includes the wisdom to retreat from an unwinnable fight
Line 2 — Six in the Second Place: The King's Servant
The king's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction, but it is not his own fault.
The second line describes a unique and painful situation. The person here is not facing the obstruction for their own selfish gain. They are "the king's servant" (a loyal subordinate, a devoted partner, or someone fulfilling a higher duty). Because of their duty, they cannot step back like the person in Line 1. They must plunge directly into "obstruction upon obstruction." It is agonizing and unfair, but the line states clearly: "it is not his own fault." They are suffering for a higher cause. In this situation, the moral imperative is to endure the hardship without bitterness, knowing that the sacrifice is honorable.
- Stage: Facing insurmountable odds out of duty to a higher cause
- Action: Endure the obstruction without complaint; fulfill your duty even when it hurts
- Wisdom: Not his own fault — suffering for a noble cause is a mark of high character
Line 3 — Nine in the Third Place: Returning to the Dependents
Going leads to obstructions; hence he comes back.
The third line describes a person in a strong position (a yang line) who realizes that pushing forward is impossible. If they continue to force their way through the obstruction, they will not only destroy themselves but also abandon those who depend on them (the weaker yin lines below). Therefore, "he comes back." They swallow their pride, give up the immediate goal, and return to protect and support those who rely on them. This is the wisdom of prioritizing people and foundational responsibilities over ego-driven conquests.
- Stage: The realization that advancing will harm dependents
- Action: Abandon the forward push; return to support those who rely on you
- Wisdom: Coming back — protecting your base is more important than breaking through
Line 4 — Six in the Fourth Place: Waiting for the Connection
Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to union.
The fourth line describes a person who is very close to the center of power but lacks the personal strength to overcome the obstacle alone (a yielding yin line). If they try to "go" (advance independently), they will fail miserably. Instead, they must "come" (step back or hold their position) and seek union. They must connect with the strong person in Line 5. By recognizing their own limitations and forming a vital alliance, they turn an impossible obstruction into a collaborative victory.
- Stage: Recognizing personal limits and the need for an ally
- Action: Do not act alone; form a union with someone strong enough to help
- Wisdom: Union — the obstacle can only be cleared through partnership
Line 5 — Nine in the Fifth Place: The Great Man Arrives
In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come.
The fifth line, the ruler's position, describes the turning point of the hexagram. The leader is in the absolute center of the crisis—"the greatest obstructions." However, because this leader possesses genuine inner virtue and has maintained their character throughout the ordeal, they do not fight alone. "Friends come." The sheer magnetic pull of their integrity summons allies, resources, and helpers from all directions. The deepest obstruction is overcome not by brute force, but by the network of support that true character inevitably attracts.
- Stage: The climax of the crisis; the arrival of necessary support
- Action: Maintain your integrity in the darkest moment; allow your allies to help you
- Wisdom: Friends come — true virtue is never truly isolated
Line 6 — Six at the Top: The Supreme Rescue
Going leads to obstructions, coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers one to see the great man.
The top line represents the sage or the elder who has already transcended the struggle. They are at the top of the mountain and could simply leave the world behind. If they "go" (leave the world entirely), they face the obstruction of spiritual isolation. Instead, they "come" (return to the world) to rescue those still trapped in the obstruction below. This brings "great good fortune." The text repeats the Judgment: "It furthers one to see the great man." The person trapped below must seek out this sage, and the sage must reach down to help. This mutual reaching across the abyss resolves the hexagram.
- Stage: The ultimate resolution; the intervention of the sage
- Action: (If you are trapped) Seek the great man. (If you are the sage) Return to help those below.
- Wisdom: Great good fortune — the highest spiritual achievement is returning to help others
The Complete Journey: A Summary
- Line 1: Waiting at the edge — stepping back from an unwinnable fight brings praise.
- Line 2: The king's servant — enduring unfair obstruction purely out of duty.
- Line 3: Returning to dependents — swallowing pride to protect the vulnerable base.
- Line 4: Waiting for connection — recognizing weakness and forming necessary alliances.
- Line 5: Friends come — the arrival of massive support drawn by the leader's virtue.
- Line 6: The supreme rescue — the sage returns from the mountaintop to save the world.
What Is Next in This Series
- Part 1: The Symbol and Structure
- Part 2 (This Article): The Six Lines — Complete Line-by-Line Commentary
- Part 3: Divination Guide — How to Read Jian in Practice
- Part 4: Philosophy — Obstruction in Confucian, Taoist, and Epistemological Thought
- Part 5: Practical Applications — Overcoming Obstacles, Strategic Retreat, Self-Reflection
- Part 6: Modern Interpretations — Cognitive Reframing, Resilience, The Obstacle is the Way
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