Hexagram 46 of 64
Pushing Upward
sheng · 升
TL;DR
- ◈Hexagram 46, Pushing Upward, is summarized by the Judgment: Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.
- ◈Its structure is Earth above Wind; read the trigram interaction before treating it as a simple label.
- ◈Core keywords: growth, advancement, effort, progress.
By the Numbers
- #46
- King Wen Order
- Pushing Upward in the 64-hexagram sequence.
- 2
- Trigrams
- Earth above Wind.
- 6
- Lines
- Each hexagram is read from bottom to top.
Classical Context
Hexagram 46, Shēng (升), is the hexagram of Pushing Upward — the gradual, steady growth of something organic rising from the earth, like a tree or a sprout. Composed of Kūn (☷ Earth) above and Xùn (☴ Wind/Wood) below: wood grows within the earth, pushing upward through the soil.
This expanded note is adapted from the long-form hexagram draft as cultural and textual context; a live reading still depends on the question, changing lines, and the full transformation pattern.
Six-Line Theme Map
I Ching lines are read from the bottom upward. This map runs from the initial line to the top line so the Judgment, Image, and moving-line position can be read together.
- L1
初六 · 允升大吉
Trusted to ascend — great good fortune
- L2
九二 · 孚乃利用禴
Sincerity — simple offering suffices
- L3
九三 · 升虚邑
Ascending into an empty city — open space
- L4
六四 · 王用亨于岐山
The king offers sacrifice on Mount Qi
- L5
六五 · 贞吉升阶
Perseverance, ascending the steps
- L6
上六 · 冥升
Ascending in darkness — steadfastness
Deep Reading
Organic ascent from below
Shēng pictures wood growing inside the earth. Its upward movement is real, but it is gradual and rooted. The hexagram favors steady ascent through preparation, support, and correct sequence rather than sudden promotion.
Simple sincerity still works
The line texts include a simple offering and the image of ascending steps. Growth does not always require grand display. It often requires credible small actions repeated until trust forms.
Reading Shēng in a live question
- Career or study
- Advance by visible steps. A mentor, formal path, or steady credential may matter more than speed.
- Project growth
- Let growth compound through structure. Do not uproot the project in order to make it look larger.
- Relationships
- Trust grows through repeated reliability, not one dramatic gesture.
Source Notes
- Primary text
- The reading follows the Zhouyi Judgment, Image, and line statements for Shēng, especially the wood-in-earth and step images.
- Zhouyi: Shēng Judgment, Image, and line statements
- Method boundary
- Pushing Upward is symbolic guidance about gradual development, not a guarantee of promotion, ranking, or social mobility.
- CosmicTao editorial method note
Interpretation
Yes. Steady upward progress — keep climbing.
Upper Trigram
Earth
Lower Trigram
Wind
The Judgment (King Wen)
Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.
The Image
Within the earth, wood grows: the image of Pushing Upward.
Keywords
FAQ
What is Hexagram 46 (Pushing Upward)?
Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.
What is the geometric structure of Hexagram 46?
Hexagram 46 acts with the upper trigram Earth and the lower trigram Wind.
What are the core themes of Pushing Upward?
The core themes and meanings include: growth, advancement, effort, progress.