Hexagram 46: Shēng (Pushing Upward)
地风升 · 第 46 卦 · Earth over Wind · 中文版
The Judgment
Sheng indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. Seeking by (the qualities implied in it) to meet with the great man, its subject need have no anxiety. Advance to the south will be fortunate.
升：元亨，用见大人，勿恤，南征吉。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
(We find) the weak (line), as it finds the opportunity, ascending upwards. We have (the attribute) of flexibility and that of obedience; we have the strong line (below) and its proper correlate above: - these things indicate that there will be 'great progress and success.' 'Seeking (by the qualities implied in Sheng) to meet with the great man, its subject need have no anxiety:' - there will be ground for congratulation. 'Advance to the south will be fortunate:' - his aim will be carried out.
彖曰：柔以时升，巽而顺，刚中而应，是以大亨。用见大人，勿恤，有庆也。南征吉，志行也。
The Great Image
(The trigram representing) wood and that for the earth with the wood growing in the midst of it form Sheng. The superior man, in accordance with this, pays careful attention to his virtue, and accumulates the small developments of it till it is high and great.
象曰：地中生木，升；君子以顺德，积小以高大。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): The first SIX, divided, shows its subject advancing upwards with the welcome (of those above him). There will be great good fortune.
'He is welcomed in his advance upwards, and there will be great good fortune:' - (the subjects of) the upper (trigram) are of the same mind with him.
初六：允升，大吉。 象曰：允升大吉，上合志也。 · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject with that sincerity which will make even the (small) offerings of the vernal sacrifice acceptable. There will be no error.
'The sincerity of the subject of the second NINE, undivided,' affords occasion for joy.
九二：孚乃利用禴，无咎。 象曰：九二之孚，有喜也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject ascending upwards (as into) an empty city.
'He advances upwards (as into) an empty city:' - he has no doubt or hesitation.
九三：升虚邑。 象曰：升虚邑，无所疑也。 · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject employed by the king to present his offerings on mount Kh?. There will be good fortune; there will be no mistake.
'The king employs him to prevent his offerings on mount Kh?:' - such a service (of spiritual Beings) is according to (their mind).
六四：王用亨于岐山，吉无咎。 象曰：王用亨于岐山，顺事也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): The fifth six, divided, shows its subject firmly correct, and therefore enjoying good fortune. He ascends the stairs (with all due ceremony).
'He is firmly correct, and will therefore enjoy good fortune. He ascends the stairs (with all due ceremony):' - he grandly succeeds in his aim.
六五：贞吉，升阶。 象曰：贞吉升阶，大得志也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): The sixth six, divided, shows its subject advancing upwards blindly. Advantage will be found in a ceaseless maintenance of firm correctness.
'He blindly advances upwards,' and is in the highest place: - but there is decay in store for him, and he will not (preserve) his riches.
上六：冥升，利于不息之贞。 象曰：冥升在上，消不富也。 · 单爻页
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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text, checked against ctext.org. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction.