Hexagram 46 of 64
升
Pushing Upward
Shēng
Upper Trigram
坤
Earth
Receptive, Yielding
Ground · Mother
Lower Trigram
巽
Wind
Gentle, Penetrating
Wind/Wood · Eldest Daughter
The Judgment
Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great person. Fear not. Departure to the south brings good fortune.
Wood growing up through earth — gentle, persistent, natural upward movement. There is no resistance to this kind of growth because it arises from genuine inner force. The right mentor seen, the right direction taken, the ascent continues.
The Image
Within the earth, wood grows — the image of Pushing Upward. Thus the superior person of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.
A tree does not leap to its height; it grows ring by ring, year by year. The person of wisdom accumulates steadily, never skipping steps.
The Six Lines
Line 1
Pushing upward that meets with confidence brings great good fortune.
When the upward movement is met with trust and encouragement from above, the ascent accelerates naturally.
Line 2
If one is sincere, it furthers to bring even a small offering. No blame.
Genuine sincerity, offered modestly, is accepted by those above without reservation.
Line 3
One pushes upward into an empty city.
Advancing into territory that has no resistance, no obstacles — everything is open and available. Move freely.
Line 4
The king offers him Mount Chi. Good fortune. No blame.
Recognition and honor from the highest authority. The ascent is confirmed and celebrated.
Line 5
Perseverance brings good fortune. One pushes upward by steps.
The step-by-step approach — patient, graduated, consistent — is the surest path to lasting heights.
Line 6
Pushing upward in the dark. It furthers one to be unremittingly persevering.
Even in blindness — when the path cannot be clearly seen — unceasing perseverance in the right direction eventually reaches the light.
For contemplation and self-reflection only. Not a substitute for professional advice.