Hexagram 39, Jiǎn (Obstruction): Line 5
蹇卦九五 · 水山蹇 · 中文版
九五:大蹇,朋来。
The line (Legge)
The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him.
Small Image commentary
'He struggles with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming (to help him):' - he is in the central position, and possesses the requisite virtue.
象曰:大蹇朋来,以中节也。
In plain words
In great obstruction, friends come. The fifth line is in the middle of the danger: the ruler meets a great crisis, but being central and correct, the second line and others come to help. The Small Image says this is because it keeps to the middle with measure.
Applying it to your situation
If you are in the hardest stretch, this line suggests keeping your balance: help will come. Whom would you be willing to ask?
Position
A solid (yang) line in the fifth place, which is a yang (odd) place, so it is in its proper place. It holds the centre of the upper trigram. Its partner is line 2; one is yin and the other yang, so they respond to each other.
If this line moves
With this line moving alone, Jiǎn changes into Hexagram 15 Qiān (Modesty). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·蹇之谦.
The hexagram
Hexagram 39 Jiǎn (Obstruction). The Judgment: In (the state indicated by) Jian advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man. (In these circumstances), with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune.
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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.