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Friends bring rope and timber toward a stranded leader at a broken crossing over mountain floodwater.
Water above Mountain · Know when to turnScene imagery · YiPhase original learning visual
Hexagram 39 · 水山蹇
蹇JIǍN

Obstruction

坎 · Water · 艮 · Mountain

蹇卦不是一味喊人硬闯：山上有水、险在前，能看见危险而停止，就是智慧。卦辞说利西南、不利东北，传注以平易与艰阻作比较；关键是换路径、寻贤助，仍守正道。

Obstruction begins where water blocks a mountain path. Seeing danger and stopping is an act of intelligence. The lines ask when to wait, return, serve through hardship, hold a connection, accept arriving friends, and seek worthy guidance.

Original Chinese, independent English explanations and modern examples. Check the sources.保留经典原文，英文独立释读，生活例子单独说明。查看依据。

LESSON 39 · EVERYDAY I CHING

Find another way around the block

第 39 课 · 生活里的卦意

A short bilingual narration with moving views of all six line images.

跟着双语讲解与逐爻画面，理解这一卦的生活处境。

▶ Play Lessons▶ 播放课程
YiPhase · Today

In everyday life这一卦在生活中

A modern scene to help you recognize the situation. This is YiPhase's own example, separate from the classical text below.

用当代处境帮助理解卦意。以下为 YiPhase 独立编写的例子，与后面的经典原文分开。

A situation you may recognize一个可能熟悉的处境

Alex plans a mountain hike to deliver medical supplies to a remote village. A flash flood has washed out the main trail. The old route is steep and dangerous (northeast), but there's a longer, flatter path (southwest) around the ridge. Seeing the danger, Alex pauses. The hexagram Obstruction asks: when a path is blocked, how do you choose between turning back, pushing through, or seeking a wiser route and help?

亚历克斯计划徒步进山，给偏远村庄送医疗物资。山洪冲毁了主路。旧路陡峭危险（东北），但山脊另一边有一条更长、更平缓的路（西南）。看到危险，亚历克斯停下脚步。蹇卦问：当道路受阻，你如何在回头、硬闯、或寻找更明智的路线与帮助之间做选择？

ASK YOURSELF想一想

When your path is blocked, what helps you decide whether to stop, push on, or find another way?

当道路受阻，什么能帮你决定是该停下、继续，还是另寻他路？

The Judgment

The Judgment卦辞

The original Chinese remains visible as the cultural source. The English translation and reading explain it without replacing it.

先保留经典中文，再提供英文直译与现代中文解释。英文用于理解，不替代原文。

《周易》经文 · Original Chinese
蹇：利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。

Obstruction: favourable to the southwest, unfavourable to the northeast; favourable to meet a great person. Steadfastness is auspicious.

Beginner’s reading

The directions work as a classical contrast between a more open way and further mountain difficulty; they are not a travel instruction for every modern journey. Choose the workable path, seek capable counsel, and keep the right course.

现代中文解说

传注以西南为较平易的方向、东北为山险难行的方向，并非给今天的每次出行规定方位。遇险应择可行之路，求有德有能者相助，仍要守正。

Classical Commentary

Tuan Commentary & The Image彖传与大象

These classical commentaries are shown separately from the Zhouyi core text, so their textual role stays clear.

以下属于解释《周易》的经典传文，页面与卦辞分层展示，方便初学者看清文本来源。

彖曰 · Tuan Commentary
彖曰：蹇，難也，險在前也。見險而能止，知矣哉！蹇利西南，往得中也；不利東北，其道窮也。利見大人，往有功也。當位貞吉，以正邦也。蹇之時用大矣哉！

《彖传》直说“见险而能止，知矣哉”。蹇不是惧难不动，而是判断何处不该再进、何时求助、如何在险境仍守住公正。

The Tuan Commentary praises the ability to stop on seeing danger. This is judgment, not paralysis: assess the terrain, meet someone who can help, and stay upright even when the road narrows.

象曰 · The Image
象曰：山上有水，蹇；君子以反身修德。

Water above the mountain: Obstruction. A cultivated person turns inward to examine and cultivate character.

山上积水，行路艰难。无法继续外进时，也有内在的功课：反省自身、修正做法、积蓄再出发的条件。

When the water cannot run freely, the image turns attention inward. Use the pause to examine conduct and build the capacity to meet the road differently.

Six Changing Stages

Six Lines: Position and Change六爻：位置与变化

The same blocked road calls for different responses. An early traveler wisely waits; a minister still crosses hardship for duty. Another returns home, one remains linked to difficulty, friends arrive to face a greater break, and the final traveler seeks a wise adviser and a broader way.

初爻止行得誉，二爻臣为公事涉险，三爻回到内方受欢迎；四爻退来仍与困难相连，五爻大难之中朋友到来，末爻返内而得大、见大人。回头的意义因位置与责任不同而变化。

初六
A traveler turns from a mountain path cut by floodwater toward villagers who acknowledge the prudent return.
初六 · Line 1 · 來譽

往蹇，來譽。

Going meets obstruction; coming back brings praise.

刚到险前，回头等候比逞强越险更有见识。“誉”来自识时而止，不是因为永远不敢出门。

The crossing is broken. Turning back early earns regard because the traveler can read the danger and wait for a better moment.

Pause with judgment
Picture this in daily life生活中的这一爻

Alex approaches the trailhead and sees the main path is flooded. Instead of stepping into the rushing water, Alex turns back. Other hikers at the trailhead nod in approval, acknowledging the wise choice to wait. They recognize that reading the danger and waiting for a better moment is smarter than forcing a crossing.

亚历克斯来到登山口，看到主路已被洪水淹没。他没有踏入湍急的水流，而是转身返回。其他徒步者在登山口点头赞许，认可他明智地选择等待。

Ask yourself: When have you turned back early and felt it was the right call?

想一想：你什么时候曾及早回头，并觉得那是正确的决定？

六二
A royal minister carries aid across a flooded path and helps a weaker companion toward a stranded camp.
六二 · Line 2 · 匪躬之故

王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。

The king's minister meets obstruction upon obstruction; it is not for the sake of the self.

同是险路，臣下不能只为自保而退。他为职责、为众人涉难，并不保证立刻成功；经文肯定的是不以私身为先。

The minister still moves through repeated difficulty because others depend on the mission. Not every obstacle calls for withdrawal; responsibility can justify a careful, costly advance.

Serve beyond yourself
Picture this in daily life生活中的这一爻

Alex learns that the village's medicine is running out. Though the path is treacherous, Alex decides to go, carrying a pack of supplies. On the way, Alex helps a weaker hiker, and they push through together. The effort is for others, not for personal glory.

亚历克斯得知村里的药品快用完了。尽管道路险恶，他还是背起补给，决定出发。路上，他帮助了一位体力较弱的徒步者，两人一起艰难前行。这番努力是为了他人，而非个人荣耀。

Ask yourself: When does responsibility justify facing difficulty despite the risk?

想一想：什么时候责任让你觉得，即使有风险也必须迎难而上？

九三
A traveler turns away from a rockfall and flooded road, returning to family members who welcome him at their gate.
九三 · Line 3 · 來反

往蹇來反。

Going meets obstruction; coming back is a return.

前进紧邻险处，退回来却回到自己的位置与可依靠的人。《小象》说“内喜之”，家人或内方因此欢迎。

The traveler returns from the blocked pass to those who can receive him. The Small Image says those within are glad; return restores a base from which to act.

Return to your base
Picture this in daily life生活中的这一爻

After a short advance, Alex sees a rockfall has made the path impassable. Alex turns back and returns to the base camp, where family and teammates welcome him at the gate. They are glad he is safe, and together they can reassess.

前进不久，亚历克斯发现落石已将道路封死。他转身返回大本营，家人和队友在门口迎接他。他们为他的平安感到高兴，并可以一起重新评估。

Ask yourself: Where or to whom do you return when a plan is blocked?

想一想：当计划受阻时，你会回到哪里或回到谁身边？

六四
A traveler on a tangled flooded return path grips a rope extended by a companion while the crossing remains difficult.
六四 · Line 4 · 來連

往蹇，來連。

Going meets obstruction; coming back remains linked or entangled.

这一爻回头也并非马上顺畅。古注对“连”有连累、迟难等解释；图用一条救援绳表现彼此牵连，同时保留水急路塞，不把回头画成已获救。

Returning does not make the trouble vanish. The old commentaries also read 'linked' as continuing difficulty or delay. The rope gives a hold, but the water is still high.

Stay connected through difficulty
Picture this in daily life生活中的这一爻

Alex tries to return, but the way back is also flooded. A companion throws him a rope, and they are linked together. The water is still high, and the path is tangled. They are not saved yet; they must hold on and wait.

亚历克斯试图返回，但来时的路也被洪水淹没。一位同伴抛来绳子，他们被连在一起。水仍然很高，道路缠结。他们还未获救，必须坚持并等待。

Ask yourself: When you feel stuck and linked to others in a hard situation, what helps you hold on?

想一想：当你感到被困，与他人相连共渡难关时，是什么帮助你坚持下去？

九五
Three friends approach a leader at a major washed-out crossing with rope and timber for help.
九五 · Line 5 · 朋來

大蹇，朋來。

Great obstruction; friends arrive.

难处已大，不是靠一个人硬扛。九五居中守正，同志之友因此来到；画在朋友到达的一刻，不把难关偷画成已经结束。

The crossing is still broken, but friends arrive with tools. Keeping a steady center can draw the people needed to face a difficulty too large for one person.

Let allies arrive
Picture this in daily life生活中的这一爻

The crossing is completely washed out. Alex stands at the edge, unsure what to do. Then three friends arrive with rope and timber. They have come to help. Together, they begin to build a way across, knowing it will take time.

渡口完全被冲毁了。亚历克斯站在边缘，不知所措。这时，三个朋友带着绳子和木材赶来。他们是来帮忙的。他们一起开始搭建通路，知道这需要时间。

Ask yourself: Who are the friends who show up when your difficulty is greatest?

想一想：当你困难最大时，谁会像朋友一样出现？

上六
A traveler returns from a blocked mountain pass to consult a wise elder and neighbors over a map of a broad safer plain.
上六 · Line 6 · 來碩

往蹇來碩，吉；利見大人。

Going meets obstruction; returning brings something great. Auspicious; favourable to meet a great person.

到了险的尽头，再向险处前进只会拉长困局。回到内方、与贤明者商量，便可能得到更大的出路。

At the limit of obstruction, another push up the cliff adds little. Return to trusted ground, meet a worthy guide, and enlarge the plan beyond the blocked path.

Find the larger way
Picture this in daily life生活中的这一爻

At the far end of the blocked pass, Alex sees no way forward. He returns to the village and consults a wise elder and neighbors. Together, they look at a map and find a broader, safer route across the plain. The plan is bigger than the original path.

在受阻山口的尽头，亚历克斯看不到前进的路。他回到村庄，请教一位睿智的长者和邻居们。他们一起看地图，找到了一条穿过平原的更宽阔、更安全的路线。这个计划比原来的路更宏大。

Ask yourself: When you finally stop pushing, what wiser guide or broader plan helps you move forward?

想一想：当你最终不再硬闯时，是什么更明智的指引或更宏大的计划帮助你前进？

Cultural Phrases

Classic Chinese Phrases可延展的中文经典短句

Chinese carries the cultural identity; English makes the meaning accessible. These phrases can later inform cards, objects, and décor.

中文保留文化识别，英文负责解释。这些短句可作为未来卡牌、装饰与文创的文字基础，具体载体仍需单独设计。

見險而能止

看见危险，知道何时停下。

Wisdom knows when to stop.

反身修德

外路受阻时，内求改进。

Use the pause to grow within.

Questions about this hexagram这一卦的常见问题

What does Hexagram 39, Obstruction, describe?第39卦描述什么处境？

Obstruction begins where water blocks a mountain path. Seeing danger and stopping is an act of intelligence. The lines ask when to wait, return, serve through hardship, hold a connection, accept arriving friends, and seek worthy guidance.

蹇卦不是一味喊人硬闯：山上有水、险在前，能看见危险而停止，就是智慧。卦辞说利西南、不利东北，传注以平易与艰阻作比较；关键是换路径、寻贤助，仍守正道。

How should I read its six lines?应该怎样阅读这六爻？

Read from the bottom line upward. Each position describes a different stage or condition. The highlighted line-position diagrams on this study page locate the line being explained; they are not a personal cast or a prediction.

从下往上读，结合不同位置与处境理解。这里的高亮卦画只说明正在讲哪一爻，不是个人起卦或预测结果。