I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
46 - Shêng / Pushing Upward
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and the upper, K`un, means the earth. Linked with this is the idea that wood from the earth grows upward. In contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35), this pushing upward is associated with effort, just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward through the earth. That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with success, is associated with effort of the will. In PROGRESS the emphasis is on expansion; PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent, or direct rise from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.
The pushing upward of the good elements encounter no obstructions and are therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. He must go to see authoritative people. He need not be afraid to do this, because success is assured, but he must set to work, for activity (the meaning of "the south") brings good fortune.
Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them, wood in the earth grows upward without haste and without rest. Thus too, the superior man is devoted in character and never pauses in his progress.
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and the upper, K`un, means the earth. Linked with this is the idea that wood from the earth grows upward. In contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35), this pushing upward is associated with effort, just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward through the earth. That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with success, is associated with effort of the will. In PROGRESS the emphasis is on expansion; PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent, or direct rise from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.
The Judgement
PUSHING UPWARD has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.The pushing upward of the good elements encounter no obstructions and are therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. He must go to see authoritative people. He need not be afraid to do this, because success is assured, but he must set to work, for activity (the meaning of "the south") brings good fortune.
The 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.Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them, wood in the earth grows upward without haste and without rest. Thus too, the superior man is devoted in character and never pauses in his progress.
Changing
Six at the top means:
The wall falls back into the moat. Use no army now, but make your commands known within your own town. Perseverance brings humiliation.
The change alluded to in the middle of the hexagram has begun to take place. The wall of the town sinks back into the moat from which it was dug. The hour of doom is at hand. When matters have come to this pass, we should submit to fate and not try to stave it off by violent resistance. The one recourse left us is to hold our own within our intimate circle. Should we persevere in trying to resist the evil in the usual way, our collapse would only be more complete, and humiliation would be the result.
The wall falls back into the moat. Use no army now, but make your commands known within your own town. Perseverance brings humiliation.
The change alluded to in the middle of the hexagram has begun to take place. The wall of the town sinks back into the moat from which it was dug. The hour of doom is at hand. When matters have come to this pass, we should submit to fate and not try to stave it off by violent resistance. The one recourse left us is to hold our own within our intimate circle. Should we persevere in trying to resist the evil in the usual way, our collapse would only be more complete, and humiliation would be the result.
Transformed
11 - T`ai / Peace
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
The Receptive, which moves downward, stands above. the Creative, which moves upward, is below. Thus, their influences meet and are in harmony, so that all living things bloom and prosper. This hexagram belongs to the first month (February-March), at which time the forces of nature prepare the new spring.
This hexagram denotes a time in nature when heaven seems to be on earth. Heaven has placed itself beneath the earth, and so their powers unite in deep harmony. Then peace and blessing descend upon all living things.
In the world of man it is a time of social harmony. Those in high places show favor to the lowly, and the lowly and inferior in their turn are well disposed toward the highly placed. There is an end to all feuds.
Inside, at the center, in the key position, is the light principle, and the dark principle is outside. Thus, the light has a powerful influence, while the dark is submissive. In this way each receives its due. When the good elements of society occupy a central position and are in control, the evil elements come under their influence and change for the better. When the spirit of heaven rules in man, his animal nature also comes under its influence and takes its appropriate place.
The individual lines enter the hexagram from below and leave it again at the top. Here the small, weak, and evil elements are about to take their departure, while the great, strong, and good elements are moving up. This brings good fortune and success.
Heaven and earth are in contact and combine their influences, producing a time of universal flowering and prosperity. This stream of energy must be regulated by the ruler of men. It is done by a process of division. Thus, men divide the uniform flow of time into the seasons, according to the succession of natural phenomena, and mark off infinite space by the points of the compass. In this way nature in its overwhelming profusion of phenomena is bounded and controlled. On the other hand, nature must be furthered in her productiveness. This is done by adjusting the products to the right time and the right place, which increases the natural yield. This controlling and furthering activity of man in his relation to nature is the work on nature that rewards him.
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
The Receptive, which moves downward, stands above. the Creative, which moves upward, is below. Thus, their influences meet and are in harmony, so that all living things bloom and prosper. This hexagram belongs to the first month (February-March), at which time the forces of nature prepare the new spring.
The Judgement
PEACE. The small departs, the great approaches. Good fortune. Success.This hexagram denotes a time in nature when heaven seems to be on earth. Heaven has placed itself beneath the earth, and so their powers unite in deep harmony. Then peace and blessing descend upon all living things.
In the world of man it is a time of social harmony. Those in high places show favor to the lowly, and the lowly and inferior in their turn are well disposed toward the highly placed. There is an end to all feuds.
Inside, at the center, in the key position, is the light principle, and the dark principle is outside. Thus, the light has a powerful influence, while the dark is submissive. In this way each receives its due. When the good elements of society occupy a central position and are in control, the evil elements come under their influence and change for the better. When the spirit of heaven rules in man, his animal nature also comes under its influence and takes its appropriate place.
The individual lines enter the hexagram from below and leave it again at the top. Here the small, weak, and evil elements are about to take their departure, while the great, strong, and good elements are moving up. This brings good fortune and success.
The Image
Heaven and earth unite: the image of PEACE. Thus, the ruler divides and completes the course of heaven and earth. He furthers and regulates the gifts of heaven and earth, and so aids the people.Heaven and earth are in contact and combine their influences, producing a time of universal flowering and prosperity. This stream of energy must be regulated by the ruler of men. It is done by a process of division. Thus, men divide the uniform flow of time into the seasons, according to the succession of natural phenomena, and mark off infinite space by the points of the compass. In this way nature in its overwhelming profusion of phenomena is bounded and controlled. On the other hand, nature must be furthered in her productiveness. This is done by adjusting the products to the right time and the right place, which increases the natural yield. This controlling and furthering activity of man in his relation to nature is the work on nature that rewards him.