Hexagram 46: Pushing Upward
Hexagram
46. Pushing Upward · Sheng
Structure of the sign
The lower trigram, Sun, has wood as its image; the upper, K'un, denotes the earth. Associated with this is the idea of wood growing upward within the earth. This 'pushing upward', in contrast to 'progress' (No. 35), is coupled with effort, just as a plant requires strength to push upward through the earth. Hence this sign, although bound up with success, is connected with the exertion of the will. 'Progress' points more toward expansion, whereas 'pushing upward' indicates a direct vertical ascent from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.
The Judgment
Pushing upward has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not! Setting forth toward the south brings good fortune. The pushing upward of capable elements meets with no obstacle; therefore it is accompanied by great success. The manner that renders this ascent possible is not violent, but modest and yielding. Yet because one is sustained by the favor of the times, advancement is achieved. One must go forth and seek out authoritative people. There is no cause to fear doing so, for success will not fail to appear. Only one must set to work, for activity (this is the significance of the south) brings good fortune.
The Image
Within the earth, wood grows: the image of Pushing Upward. Thus the superior man, devoted of character, accumulates small things in order to attain high and great stature. Wood within the earth grows toward the heights without haste and without rest, yielding as it winds about obstacles. Thus the superior man is devoted in his nature and never rests in his progress.
The lines
Line 1
Pushing upward that meets with confidence brings great good fortune. Here is the initial stage of ascent. Just as wood draws the power for its upward growth from the root, which in itself lies at the very bottom, so the power for rising springs from this position. It is lowly and obscure. Yet there exists an inner affinity of nature with the rulers above, and this fellowship procures the confidence needed to accomplish something.
Line 2
If one is sincere, it furthers one to bring even a small offering. No blame. A strong man is presupposed here. He does not entirely fit into his surroundings, being too rugged and paying too little heed to outward forms. But he is inwardly sincere; therefore he meets with an accommodating spirit, and his poverty in outward forms causes no harm. Sincerity here is the outcome of solid qualities, whereas in the corresponding line of the preceding hexagram it is the effect of inner humility.
Line 3
One pushes upward into an empty city. Here all obstacles that usually impede advance fall away. Progress is made with remarkable ease. Without hesitation one pursues this road to turn success to advantage. Looked at from the outside, everything seems to be in the best of order. Nevertheless, no auspicious phrase is added. The question arises as to how long such unrestrained success can last. Yet one must not indulge such misgivings, for doing so would only paralyze strength; rather, one must swiftly turn the favor of the time to account.
Line 4
The king presents him to Mount Ch'i. Good fortune. No blame. Mount Ch'i lies in western China, the ancestral land of King Wen, whose son, the Duke of Chou, added the words to the individual lines. It is a remembrance of the times when the Chou dynasty arose. In those days, the great helpers were presented by King Wen to the god of his native mountain, and they were granted their place beside the ruler in the ancestral halls. A stage is depicted here in which pushing upward reaches its goal. One attains renown before men and gods, is received into the fellowship of those who build the life of the nation in spirit, and thereby acquires enduring, timeless significance.
Line 5▶ ruling line
Perseverance brings good fortune. One pushes upward by steps. As one advances continually, it is essential not to become intoxicated with success. Especially amid great success, one must remain consistently sober, never seeking to skip steps, but proceeding slowly, as if hesitating, step by step. Only this calm, steady progress, which hastens nothing, leads to the goal.
Line 6
Pushing upward in the dark. It furthers one to be unremittingly persevering. He who pushes upward blindly is inwardly infatuated. He knows only advance, not retreat. Yet in doing so, one exhausts oneself. In such an instance, it is vital to remain unceasingly mindful of the need to be and remain conscientious and consistent. Only thus does one become free from the blind impulse that is ever of evil.
Below ☴ Wind (Sun)
- Direction
- SE
- Element
- Wood · Wind
- Attributes
- Gentle · Penetrating · Gradual · Persevering
- Family
- Eldest Daughter
Above ☷ Earth (Kun)
- Direction
- SW
- Element
- Earth
- Attributes
- Receptive · Yielding · Nourishing · Supporting · Dark
- Family
- Mother