Shēng Ascent Growing up [hexagram 46]

Yin line Yin line Yin line Yang line Yang line Yin - controlling line

Promotion, career progression
Earth over
Wind
Earth Earth element

Heaven Wood
Wú wàng [25] Unforeseen; Honesty
Opposite
Lake Earth
Cuì [45] Condensation; Gathering
Inverse
Wood Lake
Guī mèi [54] Union; Marrying Maiden
Mutual

Lunar month: 12 ; Host or Controlling line : 1
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升: , , 恤, . Shēng: yuán hēng, yòng xiàn dà ren, wù xù, nán zhēng jí.

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, , , . , 恤; . , . Tuàn zhuàn: Róu yǐ shí shēng, xùn ér shùn, gāng zhōng ér yīng, shì yǐ dà hēng. yòng jiàn dà ren, wù xù; yǒu qìng yě. nán zhēng jí, zhì xíng yě.

(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.

: , 升; , 积. Xiàng zhuàn: Dì zhōng shēng mù, shēng; jūn zǐ yǐ shùn dé, jī xiǎo yǐ gāo dà.

(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.

young yin young yin young yin young yang young yang changing yin
I Ching transform
Earth
Heaven
Tài [11] Elevation; Advance
Change
: 允升, . Chū liù: yǔn shēng, dà jí.

The first ‘six’, divided, shows its subject advancing upwards with the welcome (of those above him). There will be great good fortune.

: 允升, . Xiàng zhuàn: Yǔn shēng dà jí, shàng hé zhì yě.

‘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.

young yin young yin young yin young yang changing yang young yin
I Ching transform
Earth
Mountain
Qiān [15] Modesty; Humility
Change
: 禴, . Jiǔ èr: fú nǎi lì yòng yuè, wú jiù.

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.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Jiǔ èr zhī fú, yǒu xǐ yě.

‘The sincerity of the subject of the second ‘nine’, undivided,’ affords occasion for joy.

young yin young yin young yin changing yang young yang young yin
I Ching transform
Earth
Water
Shī [7] Mass action; Multitude
Change
: 升虚. Jiǔ sān: shēng xū yì.

The third ‘nine’, undivided, shows its subject ascending upwards (as into) an empty city.

: 升虚, . Xiàng zhuàn: Shēng xū yì, wú suǒ yí yě.

‘He advances upwards (as into) an empty city:’ - he has no doubt or hesitation.

young yin young yin changing yin young yang young yang young yin
I Ching transform
Wood
Wind
Héng [32] Perseverance; Endurance
Change
: , . Liù sì: wáng yòng hēng yú qí shān, jí wú jiù.

The fourth ‘six’, divided, shows its subject employed by the king to present his offerings on Mount Qi. There will be good fortune; there will be no mistake.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Wáng yòng hēng yú qí shān, shùn shì yě.

‘The king employs him to prevent his offerings on Mount Qi:’ - such a service (of spiritual Beings) is according to (their mind).

young yin changing yin young yin young yang young yang young yin
I Ching transform
Water
Wind
Jǐng [48] Source; Replenish
Change
: , 升阶. Liù wǔ: zhēn jí, shēng jiē.

The fifth ‘six’, divided, shows its subject firmly correct, and therefore enjoying good fortune. He ascends the stairs (with all due ceremony).

: 升阶, . Xiàng zhuàn: Zhēn jí shēng jiē, dà dé zhì yě.

‘He is firmly correct, and will therefore enjoy good fortune. He ascends the stairs (with all due ceremony):’ - he grandly succeeds in his aim.

changing yin young yin young yin young yang young yang young yin
I Ching transform
Mountain
Wind
[18] Corruption; Decay
Change
: 冥升, . Shàng liù: míng shēng, lì yú bù xī zhī zhēn.

The sixth ‘six’, divided, shows its subject advancing upwards blindly. Advantage will be found in a ceaseless maintenance of firm correctness.

: 冥升, 消. Xiàng zhuàn: Míng shēng zài shàng, xiāo bù fù yě.

‘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.

This translation of the YiJing classic text uses the original Chinese including the Xiàng zhuàn commentary converted to modern simplified characters and pinyin. The English translation is based on William Legge (1899) which is now out of copyright. We have changed some wording and converted to American spelling. We hope to replace this with a more modern translation.

See also