升
Hexagram 46 · 升
Upper trigram: 坤 · Lower trigram: 巽
Sheng (Pushing Upward): the hexagram of gradual ascent. Build through small efforts, welcome guidance, and keep growth rooted in purpose.
The image
Earth lies above wood, the living image of the wind trigram below. A tree rises through the ground by gradual, persistent growth. Sheng means ascending or pushing upward. The image favors development built from small accumulations rather than a sudden leap beyond support.
Judgment
元亨，用見大人，勿恤，南征吉。
Great beginning and flourishing. Seek to meet a great person; do not worry. Advancing south brings good fortune.
The commentary describes yieldingness rising at the right time with central firm support. A junior professional can develop steadily through useful assignments and an experienced mentor rather than waiting for a dramatic opportunity.
Great Image
地中生木，升；君子以順德，積小以高大。
Wood grows within the earth: Pushing Upward. The exemplary person accordingly cultivates responsive virtue, accumulating small things to reach height and greatness.
Lasting growth has a visible history of modest steps. Ten attentive minutes of daily language practice can build a foundation that occasional intense sessions leave incomplete.
Line texts
Line 1 · 初六
允升，大吉。
Ascending with confidence and acceptance. Great good fortune.
Six in the first place is yin beginning in agreement with those above. The Small Image emphasizes shared purpose, like a new worker accepting a supported learning opportunity that fits the team's needs.
Line 2 · 九二
孚乃利用禴，无咎。
With sincerity, a simple seasonal offering is beneficial. No blame.
Nine in the second place is central yang corresponding with the fifth yin. The Small Image welcomes its sincerity, like a capable employee presenting useful, modest work instead of relying on elaborate self-promotion.
Line 3 · 九三
升虛邑。
Ascending into an empty town.
Nine in the third place is yang finding no immediate obstruction ahead. The Small Image sees no cause for doubt, like moving into a prepared role while still remembering that ease does not remove responsibility.
Line 4 · 六四
王用享于岐山，吉无咎。
The king makes an offering at Mount Qi. Good fortune, without blame.
Six in the fourth place is fitting yin participating in an ordered ascent. The Small Image calls the undertaking responsive, like honoring the institution and people that support a professional milestone without demanding special precedence.
Line 5 · 六五
貞吉，升階。
Constancy brings good fortune. Ascending the steps.
Six in the fifth place is central yin supported by the second yang. The Small Image sees its purpose substantially achieved, like taking increasing responsibility through successive roles whose skills have been learned properly.
Line 6 · 上六
冥升，利于不息之貞。
Ascending in darkness. Unceasing constancy is beneficial.
Six at the top is yin pursuing ascent beyond a clear view of its purpose. The Small Image warns of depletion, like continuing to seek qualifications without considering whether they serve a meaningful direction.
When asking about
Career
Gradual development often offers a sound path upward. Seek useful guidance and complete each stage with care.
Love
Closeness can deepen through repeated small acts. Let trust grow at a pace supported by actual experience.
Money
Modest accumulation tends to fit this image. Keep growth connected to needs and manageable commitments.
Home
Small improvements can steadily change daily comfort. Choose a sequence everyone has time to maintain.
Study
Learning often benefits from cumulative practice. Work through the steps instead of skipping foundations for visible advancement.
Health
Manageable routines can support a steady daily rhythm. Leave room for rest, and see a doctor for any health concern.
Advice
Build upward through small, well-supported steps. Welcome guidance and periodically check whether continued ascent still serves your purpose.
Related hexagrams
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