蹇
jian3Mathews: 0843GSR: 143f
Dictionary Definition
(a, an, the) impasse, obstacle, impediment, drawback, setback, obstruction, difficulty, misfortune, fault, holdup, detour, limp, complication, handicap; (to) go lame, limp, walk lame, stumble (s, ed ing); (to be) halting, hobbled, proud, arrogant, impassable, obstructed, complicated, set back, held up, detained, deterred, interrupted; defective
Radical: 157+10 | First occurrence: Hexagram 39.0
Concordance & Context (19 occurrences)
Entries shown in Hatcher's reference chain order. First Witness at 39.0
Gua Ci★
impasse; impediments, drawbacks; stumbling
蹇，利西南，不利東北。利見大人，贞吉。
Worthwhile west to south
Not worthwhile east to north
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being
Persistence is opportune
Stats: 157+10→ 39.1
1st Line
(is) impassable, obstructed, halted, set back
往蹇，來譽。
If going is impassable
Then coming back is respectable
→ 39.2
2nd Line
(is, gets) set back, obstructed, held up
王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
The sovereign’s minister is set back and interrupted
But this is not one person’s cause
→ 39.2
(and) interrupted, detoured, deterred
王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
The sovereign’s minister is set back and interrupted
But this is not one person’s cause
Xiao Xiang 1
(is) impassable
往蹇來譽，宜待也。
39.1x (If) going (is) impassable (then) coming back
(is) respectable:
(It is) reasonable to wait
Xiao Xiang 2
(is) set back
王臣蹇蹇，終無尤也。
39.2x The sovereign’s minister (is) set back (and) interrupted:
In the end there is no reproach
(and) interrupted
王臣蹇蹇，終無尤也。
39.2x The sovereign’s minister (is) set back (and) interrupted:
In the end there is no reproach
3rd Line
(is) impassable, obstructed, halted, set back
往蹇，來反。
If going is impassable
Then coming back means turning around
→ 39.4
Xiao Xiang 3
(is) impassable
往蹇來反，內喜之也。
39.3x (If) going (is) impassable (then) coming back
(means) turning around:
(Those) within rejoice in this
4th Line
(is) impassable, obstructed, halted, set back
往蹇，來連。
If going is impassable
Then coming back means alliance
→ 39.5
Xiao Xiang 4
(is) impassable
往蹇來連，當位實也。
39.4x (If) going (is) impassable (then) coming back
(means) alliance:
The appropriate position (is in) reality
5th Line
impasse, obstruction, complication (s)
大蹇，朋來。
At a major impasse
Companions appear
→ 39.6
Xiao Xiang 5
impasse
大蹇朋來，以中節也。
39.5x (At a) major impasse, companions appear:
Because the center (is) defined
6th Line
(is) impassable, obstructed, halted, set back
往蹇，來碩，吉。利見大人。
If going is impassable
Then coming back means maturity
Promising
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being
→ 39.0
Xiao Xiang 6
(is) impassable
往蹇來碩，志在內也。利見大人，以從貴也。
39.6x (If) going (is) impassable (then) coming back
(means) maturity:
The purpose lies within
* Rewarding to encounter a mature human being:
Thereby to attend to the worthy
Tuan Zhuan
impasse (is, means)
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。當位贞吉，以正邦也。蹇之時用大矣哉！
Impasse
(Means) problems
Risk lies ahead
To perceive the risk and be able to stop
(Is) wisdom indeed!
Impasse (is) worthwhile west (to) south:
To make progress (is) to find the center
It is not worthwhile east (to) north:
This way dead ends
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being:
Making progress will be an achievement
(In) a proper position, persistence (is) opportune:
In order to do right by the territory
Impasse’s timely application (is) very important now!
impasse
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。當位贞吉，以正邦也。蹇之時用大矣哉！
Impasse
(Means) problems
Risk lies ahead
To perceive the risk and be able to stop
(Is) wisdom indeed!
Impasse (is) worthwhile west (to) south:
To make progress (is) to find the center
It is not worthwhile east (to) north:
This way dead ends
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being:
Making progress will be an achievement
(In) a proper position, persistence (is) opportune:
In order to do right by the territory
Impasse’s timely application (is) very important now!
impasse
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。當位贞吉，以正邦也。蹇之時用大矣哉！
Impasse
(Means) problems
Risk lies ahead
To perceive the risk and be able to stop
(Is) wisdom indeed!
Impasse (is) worthwhile west (to) south:
To make progress (is) to find the center
It is not worthwhile east (to) north:
This way dead ends
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being:
Making progress will be an achievement
(In) a proper position, persistence (is) opportune:
In order to do right by the territory
Impasse’s timely application (is) very important now!
Xiang Zhuan
impasse
山上有水，蹇。君子以反身脩德。
Over the mountain is water
Impasse
The noble young one, accordingly,
turns bodily around to work on character
→ 39.0
Homophones (jian)
堅jian1solid, firm, hard, hardened, solidified兼jian1combine, unite, join (ed, ing), [integrating ]艱jian1(to be) difficult, troublesome, distressing, hard, laborious, tedious, wearisome, hard gotten, trying; (a, the) difficulty, distress, hardship, trouble, trial, problem (s); bad news戔jian1(is) (a, but a) meager, shabby, pitiful, scanty儉jian3(is) restrained, frugal; conserves, reserves建jian4to enlist, appoint, install, establish, set up "健jian4(to be) vigorous, dynamic, ardent, strong, robust, healthy, sturdy, stout, tenacious, compelling, lasting, constant; (a, the) strength, lasting vigor, health, robustness; (to) set up, establish, persevere, invigorate, strengthen, empower (s, ed, ing); inexhaustibly, energetically, with lasting vigor鍵jian4key, note; linch-pin; perhaps u.f. jian 0854, (glossary)見jian4(to) catch sight of, envision, look at, observe, perceive, see, spy, view, visualize, watch, witness; apprehend, be exposed to, call upon, consult, encounter, experience, have audience with, interview, meet (with), notice, receive, refer to, visit; appear, appear to be show up; display, reveal, exhibit, flaunt, manifest, show (s, ed, ing); (a, the) consciousness; sight, vision, advice respectfully sought; (to be) exposed (to), found, in view (of), seen, viewed, visible; consciously賤jian4(and) (the) disregarded, undervalued, base, mean薦jian4(in) offering (^ ) (up) (^ ), presenting, giving漸jian4(to) advance gradually, increasingly, advance by degrees, go little by little, go bit by bit, go steadily, make gradual progress, make steady progress, pace oneself, progress gradually, develop into; seep into, soak, saturate (s, ed, ing); (a, the) proceedings, formalities, details, protocol, patient progress, (gradual, steady) advance, progress; (to be) next, slight; gradually, increasingly洊jian4(is, are) ever, always, continuously (flowing)
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