Pushing Upward (Shēng)

Judgment

升：元亨，用见大人，勿恤，南征吉。

Plain Meaning：Pushing upward: great success; see the great person, do not worry—advancing toward the light brings fortune.

Image (Great Commentary)

地中生木，升；君子以顺德，积小以高大。

Line Texts

• 初六允升，大吉。

  Trusted in the ascent—supreme fortune.

• 九二孚乃利用禴，无咎。

  Sincerity makes even a simple offering worthy—no blame.

• 九三升虚邑。

  Ascending as into an empty town—no obstruction.

• 六四王用亨于岐山，吉，无咎。

  The king offers on Mount Qi—fortune, no blame.

• 六五贞吉，升阶。

  Steadfast fortune—ascending step by step.

• 上六冥升，利于不息之贞。

  Blind ascent—benefit only in ceaseless steadfast correctness.

Symbolism

A tree growing from the earth: gradual, steady ascent.

Life Lesson

Rise by accumulating small gains, step by step—not in one leap.

Modern Application

In steady growth, accumulate and leverage mentors; don’t overreach.

Words of Caution

Blind, ceaseless climbing loses the right path.