I Ching · Hexagram 46 of 64
46. Shēng 升 · Pushing Upward
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Steady growth, step by step, like a tree.
- Upper trigram
- Earth 坤
- Lower trigram
- Wind 巽
What hexagram 46 means
Shēng shows a tree growing up out of the earth: steady, natural upward growth. It is pushing upward, not by force but by patient effort. The traditional advice is to seek out people who can help, keep going and move forward step by step.
Hexagram 46 in daily life
At work
Steady progress and advancement. Keep going; seek support from those above you.
In relationships
Trust grows gradually. Keep showing up.
For yourself
Growth is happening. Keep taking the next step without rushing.
The six changing lines
If your cast included changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read the matching lines below. Line 1 is the bottom line.
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Pushing upward with confidence and welcome. Great good fortune. |
| Line 2 | Sincerity is enough; even a small offering is accepted. No blame. |
| Line 3 | Pushing upward into an empty city: no resistance at all. |
| Line 4 | Honoured at the sacred mountain. Good fortune, no blame. |
| Line 5 | Persistence brings good fortune. You rise step by step. |
| Line 6 | Pushing upward blindly in the dark. Keep going only with unwavering steadiness. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Wind 巽 (Xùn), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Earth 坤 (Kūn), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Earth over Wood. Wind is the trigram of Kua 4 and Earth is the trigram of Kua 2.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 25. Wú Wàng 無妄 · Innocence
- Inverted (read upside down): 45. Cuì 萃 · Gathering Together
- Trigrams swapped: 20. Guān 觀 · Contemplation
Questions to reflect on
- What in my life is growing right now?
- What is my next single step?
- Where do I need patience rather than force?
Our line summaries are written in plain English in our own words, based on the traditional meanings. For reflection and entertainment, not prediction or professional advice.