What is Hexagram 46, Pushing Upward?
Hexagram 46, Pushing Upward (升 Shēng), is built from Earth (坤 Kūn) over Wind (巽 Xùn), and the Wilhelm-Baynes translation reads its themes as growth, effort, advancement. The classical sources describe it as a pattern in the Book of Changes (易經 Yìjīng), a situation to recognise, not a verdict to obey.
Key Takeaways
- Hexagram 46 is built from Earth (坤 Kūn) over Wind (巽 Xùn).
- Its central themes, growth, effort, advancement, devotion, sit in the Wilhelm-Baynes lineage.
- The classical pairing matches the hexagram to Citrine as the meditation stone.
- Read alongside BaZi, Kua, and Compass School sector mapping for a fuller picture.
- This is a pattern, not a verdict, the I-Ching frames reflection, not prediction.
The Judgment
Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great person. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.
The Image
Within the earth, wood grows: the image of Pushing Upward. Thus the superior person of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.
Master Wei Lin's Interpretation
Interpretation by Master Wei Lin, Chinese Metaphysics Scholar, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling
Wood growing within the earth, upward movement that is gradual, organic, and rooted. Pushing Upward is one of the most encouraging hexagrams for anyone building something step by step. Your effort is sound, your direction is correct. Don't be afraid. Keep growing, not through force but through steady, devoted accumulation. Each small step contributes to something great.
The Six Lines
When a changing line appears in your reading, its text carries special guidance for your situation.
Line 1 (bottom)
“Pushing upward that meets with confidence brings great good fortune.”
Line 2
“If one is sincere, it furthers one to bring even a small offering. No blame.”
Line 3
“One pushes upward into an empty city.”
Line 4
“The king offers the one to Mount Ch'i. Good fortune. No blame.”
Line 5
“Perseverance brings good fortune. One pushes upward by steps.”
Line 6 (top)
“Pushing upward in darkness. It furthers one to be unremittingly persevering.”
🔮 Crystal for Hexagram 46
Citrine
Hold Citrine while meditating on Pushing Upward. Its energy resonates with the themes of growth, effort, advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexagram 46 (Pushing Upward) mean?
In the Wilhelm-Baynes translation of the I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng), Hexagram 46, Pushing Upward (升 Shēng), is read through Earth (坤 Kūn) over Wind (巽 Xùn). The classical sources describe its themes as growth, effort, advancement. This is pattern recognition, not prediction.
What is the Judgment for Pushing Upward?
The Judgment reads: "Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great person. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.", the Judgment is the I-Ching's classical summary of the situation the hexagram describes, and what the present moment is asking of the reader.
What is the Image for Pushing Upward?
The Image reads: "Within the earth, wood grows: the image of Pushing Upward. Thus the superior person of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.", in the classical sources the Image is the elemental picture, the upper and lower trigrams in conversation, that the reader holds while sitting with the hexagram.
What crystal pairs with Hexagram 46?
Citrine is the traditional pairing for Pushing Upward. The classical Chinese gemology lineage associates this stone with the hexagram's central themes, hold it during meditation on the reading. This is reflective practice, not divination-as-prediction.
How is Hexagram 46 read in BaZi or Feng Shui?
An I-Ching cast is one consultation. The fuller reading, Four Pillars (四柱 Sì Zhù), Kua personal feng shui, and Compass School sector mapping, reads the hexagram alongside the chart. Master Wei Lin's Master Reading section synthesizes the Book of Changes alongside BaZi and the other Chinese metaphysics traditions.
More Hexagrams
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