Hexagram 46: Pushing Upward (升 Shēng) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 46 (升 Pushing Upward)?

I Ching Hexagram 46, 升 (Shēng), represents Pushing Upward. It is formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Wind (巽 Xùn) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its Judgment: 'Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune....'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 46 mean?

The Image states: 'Within the earth, wood grows: the image of Pushing Upward. Thus the superior man of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.' This teaches that the superior person responds to the hexagram's situation by cultivating the corresponding inner quality.

Q: How do the six lines of Hexagram 46 develop its meaning?

The six lines trace a progression through the hexagram's situation. Starting from the bottom (Line 1) through Line 6, each position reveals a different aspect of how Pushing Upward manifests — from initial stirrings to the final outcome. Key lines include the ruler of the hexagram and the culminating line.

Q: What is the relationship between Hexagram 46 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 46 (Pushing Upward) follows Hexagram 45 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

升

Shēng — Hexagram 46

Pushing Upward

Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Wind (巽 Xùn) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 46, 升 (Shēng), represents Pushing Upward. Formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Wind (巽 Xùn) below, this hexagram teaches about pushing upward. The core message: Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune..

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 46 is formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Wind (巽 Xùn) below, combining two of the eight trigrams into a unique archetypal situation
The Judgment reveals the hexagram's core teaching through a concise, oracular statement
The six lines trace a progression from initial conditions through to the culmination and outcome
The Image connects the natural symbolism of the trigrams to the conduct of the superior person
This hexagram's wisdom applies to modern situations involving

The Judgment

Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.

— I Ching, Pushing Upward

The Image

Within the earth, wood grows: the image of Pushing Upward. Thus the superior man of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: Pushing upward that meets with confidence brings great good fortune.

Line 2: Line 2: If one is sincere, it furthers one to bring even a small offering. No blame.

Line 3: Line 3: One pushes upward into an empty city.

Line 4: Line 4: The king offers him Mount Qi. Good fortune. No blame.

Line 5: Line 5: Perseverance brings good fortune. One pushes upward by steps.

Line 6: Line 6: Pushing upward in darkness. It furthers one to be unremittingly persevering.

Modern Application

Hexagram 46 is about organic growth — the way a tree pushes upward from within the earth, slowly and steadily. Unlike the explosive Breakthrough of Hexagram 43, Pushing Upward is incremental and cumulative. Wood (Wind) beneath Earth: the tree's roots are in darkness, but it rises toward light. The hexagram teaches that lasting advancement comes from heaping up small things — consistent effort, not grand gestures. Line 5's 'pushing upward by steps' is the central wisdom. In modern terms, this hexagram applies to career progression, skill development, education, and any goal achieved through persistent daily work rather than sudden breakthrough.

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