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Hexagram 46: Pushing Upward
升 · Shēng
Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great man. Let there be no fear. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.Judgment 卦辭
Within the earth, wood grows: the image of Pushing Upward. The superior man, with devoted heart, piles up small virtues to climb high.Image 象辭
Core Meaning of Hexagram 46
Hexagram 46 is organic ascent — wood growing up through the earth, pushing steadily toward light. Unlike forced advance, this rise is growth: from humble ground, gradual, nourished, unstoppable in slow motion. Seek the great man (guidance, sponsorship), discard fear, and head south — toward light, warmth, work, clarity.
Hexagram 46 in a Reading
In a reading, the direction is up and the method is growth: build from where you actually are, one increment at a time, roots drinking deep while the stem extends. Career, project, reputation — accumulate small virtues visibly and let elevation come to you. Do not hesitate to approach mentors; ascent is collaborative. This is one of the book’s quietly supreme successes: patience compounding into height.
Common Questions
What does hexagram 46 mean?
Hexagram 46 is organic ascent — wood growing up through the earth, pushing steadily toward light. Read the full meaning above, or cast your own reading with our free online I Ching coins.
What is the structure of hexagram 46?
Hexagram 46 is built from the trigram Earth above and Wind below — binary 011000 read from the bottom line to the top. Pushing Upward is King Wen number 46 of the 64 hexagrams.
Related Hexagrams
Other Hexagrams with Trigram Earth Above
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