Thirty-Ninth Hexagram : The Wisdom of Obstruction

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the thirty-ninth hexagram of the I Ching, Jian (蹇), which symbolizes 'Obstruction' or 'Difficulty'. It represents water over mountain, like treacherous waters blocking the mountain path, emphasizing facing obstacles by retreating strategically, seeking help from superiors, and persevering for good fortune. The hexagram statement is: "Jian: Obstruction. Advantageous in the southwest. Not advantageous in the northeast. It furthers one to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune."

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Blocked Path, Retreat to Advance'

Once upon a time, on a rugged mountain where turbulent waters obstructed the trails, a determined traveler sought to cross to the prosperous southwest, but the northeast path proved disadvantageous. It furthered him to see the great man—a wise hermit—for guidance, with perseverance bringing good fortune amid the difficulties. At the outset, going led to obstruction, so he came back with praise for his wise retreat, avoiding deeper trouble.

The king's loyal servant faced obstruction again and again on the path, but it was not his own fault, as external floods blocked the way repeatedly.

Going led to obstruction, hence he came back, turning around to reassess and find a better route.

Going led to obstruction, coming led to union as he returned and met allies who joined his quest.

In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends came to aid him, turning the peril into opportunity.

At last, going led to obstruction, coming led to great good fortune as he realized the value of retreat; no blame befell him, and perseverance in adjustment brought supreme success.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

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First Line (Initial Six): Going leads to obstruction, coming is praiseworthy.

This line advises retreating from obstacles to receive praise and avoid harm. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, going led to obstruction, so he came back with praise for his wise retreat, avoiding deeper trouble." This symbolizes the benefit of timely withdrawal. Annotation: I Ching Jian hexagram first line: "Going leads to obstruction, coming is praiseworthy."

Second Line (Six in the Second Place): The king's servant is obstructed again and again, but it is not his own fault.

This line indicates repeated external obstacles blameless for the loyal, enduring without self-fault. Matching part in the tale: "The king's loyal servant faced obstruction again and again on the path, but it was not his own fault, as external floods blocked the way repeatedly." External blocks blameless. Annotation: I Ching Jian hexagram second line: "The king's servant is obstructed again and again, but it is not his own fault."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing king's servant obstructed repeatedly not fault external floods, representing Jian hexagram second line: blameless endurance, servant path scene mountain water, earthy tones with subtle yellows for loyalty."

Third Line (Nine in the Third Place): Going leads to obstruction, hence he comes back.

This line suggests recognizing obstruction and returning to reassess for better outcomes. Matching part in the tale: "Going led to obstruction, hence he came back, turning around to reassess and find a better route." Return reassesses better. Annotation: I Ching Jian hexagram third line: "Going leads to obstruction, hence he comes back."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating going obstruction hence coming back reassess better route, embodying Jian hexagram third line: recognizing return, turn around scene water mountain, muted browns and greens for reassessment."

Fourth Line (Six in the Fourth Place): Going leads to obstruction, coming leads to union.

This line indicates retreating from blockage to find alliance and support. Matching part in the tale: "Going led to obstruction, coming led to union as he returned and met allies who joined his quest." Retreat unites allies. Annotation: I Ching Jian hexagram fourth line: "Going leads to obstruction, coming leads to union."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying going obstruction coming union meeting allies, symbolizing Jian hexagram fourth line: supportive retreat, return allies scene mountain water, serene blues and golds for alliance."

Fifth Line (Nine in the Fifth Place): In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come.

This line represents allies arriving during peak difficulties to aid resolution. Matching part in the tale: "In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends came to aid him, turning the peril into opportunity." Friends aid midst. Annotation: I Ching Jian hexagram fifth line: "In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing midst greatest obstructions friends come turning peril opportunity, representing Jian hexagram fifth line: aiding resolution, friends aid scene water mountain, vibrant yellows and reds for turning point."

Top Line (Six at the Top): Going leads to obstruction, coming leads to great good fortune. No blame. Perseverance brings good fortune.

This line advises retreating from ultimate blockage to achieve great success through adjustment. Matching part in the tale: "At last, going led to obstruction, coming led to great good fortune as he realized the value of retreat; no blame befell him, and perseverance in adjustment brought supreme success." Realized retreat succeeds. Annotation: I Ching Jian hexagram top line: "Going leads to obstruction, coming leads to great good fortune. No blame. Perseverance brings good fortune."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting going obstruction coming great good fortune no blame perseverance success, symbolizing Jian hexagram sixth line: adjusted retreat, realization scene mountain water, luminous purples and yellows for supreme."

This blog should make the six lines of Jian hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~ 😊# Exploring I Ching's Fortieth Hexagram Jie with an Ancient Tale: The Wisdom of Deliverance

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the fortieth hexagram of the I Ching, Jie (解), which symbolizes 'Deliverance' or 'Release from Tension'. It represents thunder over water, like a storm bringing rain that releases tension, emphasizing forgiveness, timely action after relief, and returning to normalcy with moderation. The hexagram statement is: "Jie: Deliverance. Advantageous in the southwest. If there is no longer somewhere to go, one's coming back brings good fortune. If there is somewhere to go, early action brings good fortune."

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Storm's Release, Rain of Forgiveness'

Once upon a time, in a parched land where thunder rumbled over swelling waters, a great storm finally broke, bringing deliverance from drought. Advantageous in the southwest where rains fell heaviest, if no longer somewhere to go after relief, coming back brought good fortune; if there was somewhere to go, early action brought good fortune. At the outset, no blame befell the released, as forgiveness washed away past tensions without judgment.

The hunter returned with his bow, forgiving his quarry; no blame in this merciful release after the hunt.

The inferior man was punished, good fortune coming only if he escaped the carriage and robbers, avoiding further entanglement.

One obtained three foxes in the field and received yellow arrows; perseverance brought good fortune as he released the unnecessary catch.

If one was sincere, deliverance came with good fortune, going without blame as truth dissolved the obstacles.

The prince shot at a hawk on a high wall, getting it; everything furthered as he decisively removed the high-flying threat to clear the path.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

First Line (Initial Six): No blame.

This line represents blameless release after tension, allowing natural return to normalcy. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, no blame befell the released, as forgiveness washed away past tensions without judgment." This symbolizes innocent deliverance without fault. Annotation: I Ching Jie hexagram first line: "No blame."

Image Prompt: "Ancient Chinese vintage poster illustration with ornate borders and all text in English, depicting no blame released forgiveness washing tensions, symbolizing I Ching Jie hexagram first line: blameless normalcy, thunder over water landscape with released figures, traditional robes in refreshing blues and greens for forgiveness."

Second Line (Nine in the Second Place): One returns from hunting with the bow. No blame.

This line suggests merciful release after achievement, blameless in moderation. Matching part in the tale: "The hunter returned with his bow, forgiving his quarry; no blame in this merciful release after the hunt." Merciful release moderates. Annotation: I Ching Jie hexagram second line: "One returns from hunting with the bow. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing hunter returns bow forgiving quarry no blame merciful, representing Jie hexagram second line: moderate release, hunter quarry scene water thunder, earthy tones with subtle yellows for mercy."

Third Line (Six in the Third Place): If a man carries a burden on his back and nonetheless rides in a carriage, He thereby encourages robbers to draw near. Perseverance leads to humiliation.

This line warns of displaying wealth inappropriately, inviting trouble and shame. Matching part in the tale: "The inferior man was punished, good fortune coming only if he escaped the carriage and robbers, avoiding further entanglement." Inappropriate display invites. Annotation: I Ching Jie hexagram third line: "If a man carries a burden on his back and nonetheless rides in a carriage, He thereby encourages robbers to draw near. Perseverance leads to humiliation."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating burden carriage encouraging robbers perseverance humiliation, embodying Jie hexagram third line: inviting trouble, burden carriage scene thunder water, muted browns and reds for shame."

Fourth Line (Nine in the Fourth Place): One obtains three foxes in the field and receives yellow arrows. Perseverance brings good fortune.

This line represents overcoming cunning obstacles, with perseverance yielding tools for success. Matching part in the tale: "One obtained three foxes in the field and received yellow arrows; perseverance brought good fortune as he released the unnecessary catch." Overcoming cunning perseveres. Annotation: I Ching Jie hexagram fourth line: "One obtains three foxes in the field and receives yellow arrows. Perseverance brings good fortune."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying obtaining three foxes field yellow arrows perseverance good fortune release, symbolizing Jie hexagram fourth line: overcoming obstacles, fox arrows scene water thunder, serene greens and golds for tools."

Fifth Line (Nine in the Fifth Place): If in truth you have good fortune, no blame. The superior man has a destiny.

This line suggests sincere deliverance leading to blameless good fortune through destiny. Matching part in the tale: "If one was sincere, deliverance came with good fortune, going without blame as truth dissolved the obstacles." Sincere truth dissolves. Annotation: I Ching Jie hexagram fifth line: "If in truth you have good fortune, no blame. The superior man has a destiny."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing sincere deliverance good fortune no blame truth dissolves, representing Jie hexagram fifth line: destined success, truth obstacle scene thunder water, vibrant yellows and blues for sincerity."

Top Line (Six at the Top): The prince shoots at a hawk on a high wall. He kills it. Everything serves to further.

This line indicates decisively removing high threats, benefiting all through bold action. Matching part in the tale: "The prince shot at a hawk on a high wall, getting it; everything furthered as he decisively removed the high-flying threat to clear the path." Decisive removal furthers. Annotation: I Ching Jie hexagram top line: "The prince shoots at a hawk on a high wall. He kills it. Everything serves to further."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting prince shoots hawk high wall kills everything further clear path, symbolizing Jie hexagram sixth line: bold removal, hawk shot scene water over thunder, dark purples and golds for decisiveness."

This blog should make the six lines of Jie hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~