Hexagram 46 of 64 · Earth ☷ over Wind ☴
Pushing Upward
Shēng
Pushing upward — the tree growing through the earth, effort by effort, until it stands where it could not be seen before.
The Judgment
Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great person. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune — the climb is favoured; go toward the light.
The Image
Within the earth, wood grows: the tree pushes up through the soil without haste and without pause. The wise person of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.
Hexagram 46 Meaning
Growth from below, gradual and unstoppable — the seedling that becomes a tree by adding a little every day. The hexagram promises supreme success to steady, devoted effort, and it removes fear: the climb is not dangerous, only demanding. See the great person (get the right guidance), go south (toward warmth and light, toward the favourable direction), and keep accumulating small gains. The one warning, at the top, is against pushing upward blindly — growth needs to know when it has reached its height.
Pushing Upward in Love
A relationship growing steadily — deepening trust, slowly built intimacy, the kind of love that becomes a tree. Very favourable for questions about whether something can develop. The counsel is patience and consistency: small daily kindnesses accumulate into something great. Do not force the growth or demand the tree before the seedling has done its work. Fear not: the direction is good.
Pushing Upward in Career & Money
Advancement through steady effort — the promotion earned by years, the business grown organically, the skill built by daily practice. The hexagram says the ascent is favoured and safe; do not be anxious. Seek a mentor. Move toward the favourable, warm situation rather than the cold one. Keep adding. Line 6 warns against continuing to push after you have reached the natural summit — know when to stop climbing and start tending.
What to Do
Keep climbing, one small effort at a time. Fear nothing; the direction is right. Find good guidance and go toward the light. Know when you have reached the height, and stop pushing there.
Pushing Upward as a Yes or No
yes
Yes — steady effort takes this upward; the way is safe and success is indicated.
The Trigrams
Above: Earth (坤 Kūn) — the receptive — devotion, yielding, the mother.
Below: Wind (巽 Xùn) — the gentle — penetration, gradual influence, the eldest daughter.
The Six Lines of Pushing Upward
Read when the line is moving (a 6 or 9 in the cast). Bottom line first.
- 1
Line 1 · yin
Pushing upward that meets with confidence brings great good fortune: the beginning is welcomed by those above.
- 2
Line 2 · yang
If one is sincere, it furthers one to bring even a small offering, no blame: honest effort with modest means is accepted.
- 3
Line 3 · yang
One pushes upward into an empty city: no resistance — advance, but do not assume it will always be this easy.
- 4
Line 4 · yin
The king offers him Mount Chi, good fortune, no blame: success and recognition at the height — a place among the honoured.
- 5
Line 5 · yin
Perseverance brings good fortune, one pushes upward by steps: keep the ascent gradual — do not skip steps now.
- 6
Line 6 · yin
Pushing upward in darkness, it furthers one to be unremittingly persevering: climbing blindly past the summit — stop and consolidate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does hexagram 46, Pushing Upward, mean?
Growth from below, gradual and unstoppable — the seedling that becomes a tree by adding a little every day. The hexagram promises supreme success to steady, devoted effort, and it removes fear: the climb is not dangerous, only demanding. See the great person (get the right guidance), go south (toward warmth and light, toward the favourable direction), and keep accumulating small gains. The one warning, at the top, is against pushing upward blindly — growth needs to know when it has reached its height.
What does Pushing Upward mean in love?
A relationship growing steadily — deepening trust, slowly built intimacy, the kind of love that becomes a tree. Very favourable for questions about whether something can develop. The counsel is patience and consistency: small daily kindnesses accumulate into something great. Do not force the growth or demand the tree before the seedling has done its work. Fear not: the direction is good.
What does Pushing Upward mean for career and money?
Advancement through steady effort — the promotion earned by years, the business grown organically, the skill built by daily practice. The hexagram says the ascent is favoured and safe; do not be anxious. Seek a mentor. Move toward the favourable, warm situation rather than the cold one. Keep adding. Line 6 warns against continuing to push after you have reached the natural summit — know when to stop climbing and start tending.
Is hexagram 46 a yes or a no?
Pushing Upward answers "yes". Yes — steady effort takes this upward; the way is safe and success is indicated.
Previous hexagram
45. Gathering Together
gathering
Next hexagram
47. Oppression
exhaustion
Last updated: August 30, 2026
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