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Pushing Upward

升 (Shēng)

Hexagram #46

Hexagram Structure

6
Yin Line
5
Yang Line
4
Yang Line
3
Yin Line
2
Yin Line
1
Yin Line

Upper Trigram

Earth

Lower Trigram

Wind

Core Essence

Keywords

growthadvancementgradual progressambition

Meaning

Represents steady, gradual advancement and growth toward higher goals.

Guidance

Advance steadily and gradually. Small, consistent efforts lead to great achievements.

Classical Texts

Judgment

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

升:元亨,用见大人,勿恤,南征吉。

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.

地中生木,升;君子以顺德,积小以高大。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Pushing Upward hexagram symbolizes the process of rising and growth. 'Sheng' means rise and elevation, like bamboo growing section by section. Confucius said 'Learning and constantly practicing, isn't it joyful?' embodying the learning spirit of the Sheng hexagram. The Sheng hexagram teaches us: growth is a gradual process; we should be down-to-earth, climbing upward step by step.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Earth Lower Trigram: Wind **Judgment Analysis:** Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune. 升:元亨,用见大人,勿恤,南征吉。 **Image Wisdom:** 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. 地中生木,升;君子以顺德,积小以高大。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of Pushing Upward can guide us: • Advance steadily and gradually. Small, consistent efforts lead to great achievements. • Keywords: growth, advancement, gradual progress, ambition • Core Concept: Represents steady, gradual advancement and growth toward higher goals.

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