12. Pi | Obstruction
- Line 1 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 2 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 3 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 4 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 5 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 6 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
否：之匪人，不利，君子贞，大往小来。
Translation: 否 / Obstruction: Draft rendering: 之匪人，不利，君子贞，大往小来。.
Reading note: This is the judgment of Pi (Obstruction), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.
初六：拔茅茹，以其汇，贞吉，亨。
Translation: First Six: 拔茅茹，以其汇，uprightness is auspicious，亨。.
Reading note: The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
六二：包承，小人吉，大人否，亨。
Translation: Second Six: 包承，小人auspicious，大人否，亨。.
Reading note: The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
六三：包羞。
Translation: Third Six: Draft rendering: 包羞。.
Reading note: The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
九四：有命无咎，畴离祉。
Translation: Fourth Nine: 有命no blame，畴离祉。.
Reading note: The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
九五：休否，大人吉。其亡其亡，系于苞桑。
Translation: Fifth Nine: 休否，大人auspicious。keep warning oneself that loss may come，系于苞桑。.
Reading note: The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
上九：倾否，先否后喜。
Translation: Top Nine: Draft rendering: 倾否，先否后喜。.
Reading note: The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.