Hexagram 46 · Pushing Upward

升 · Shēng

Hexagram 46, Pushing Upward (升, Shēng), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Wind below and Earth above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “元亨，用见大人，勿恤。南征吉。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with upward growth, step by step. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Wind (巽) — gentleness and quiet penetration
Upper trigram: Earth (坤) — receptivity and support
Symbol: ䷭ · Name: 升 (Shēng) · Number: 46 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   允升，大吉。
   The Image says: “允升，大吉”，上合志也。
2. 九二 (九二)
   孚乃利用禴，无咎。
   The Image says: 九二之“孚”，有喜也。
3. 九三 (九三)
   升虚邑。
   The Image says: “升虚邑”，无所疑也。
4. 六四 (六四)
   王用亨于岐山，吉无咎。
   The Image says: “王用亨于岐山”，顺事也。
5. 六五 (六五)
   贞吉，升阶。
   The Image says: “贞吉，升阶”，大得志也。
6. Top line (yin) (上六)
   冥升，利于不息之贞。
   The Image says: “冥升在上”，消不富也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 46?

Hexagram 46 is Pushing Upward (升, Shēng), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Wind below and Earth above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Pushing Upward?

The judgment of Pushing Upward reads, in the Chinese original: “元亨，用见大人，勿恤。南征吉。”. Its Great Image reads: “地中生木，升。君子以顺德，积小以高大。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Pushing Upward symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Pushing Upward is associated with upward growth, step by step. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.