I Ching 46 Hexagram shēng (Ascending)

I Ching 46 Hexagram shēng (Ascending)

I Ching 46 Hexagram shēng (Ascending)

Keywords
Grow. To rise. Grow to the top.
Short Interpretation of Hexagram 46 – Ascending
Take chances quickly . It is a time of growth.

I Ching – General Description

The lower sign Sunn has wood as its image, the upper sign Kkunn means earth. Connected with this is the idea that wood rises as it grows on the ground. This “making its way upward, ascending” is – as opposed to Progress, N ° 35 – joined with fatigue, as effort needs strength to penetrate climbing through the earth. Therefore the sign is related to the effort of the will, although it is accompanied by success. Progress shows greater expansion, ascending more straight growth from darkness and baseness to power and influence.

I Ching – Comment on sentence

The ascent has sublime success! The great man must be seen. Do not be afraid! Heading south brings health.

The rise of the capable elements does not meet any obstacles, so it is accompanied by great success. The disposition that makes ascent possible is not the violent one, but the modest and adaptable one. And since it is carried by the favor of the times it goes on. We have to get going and go to find the people in charge. Don’t be afraid to do it; as success will not fail. You just have to get to work; as activity (this is the meaning of the south) is healthy.

I Ching – Image

In the middle of the earth, wood grows: the image of ascending. Thus the noble accumulates small things in dedication, In order to attain height and grandeur.

The wood in the earth grows unhurriedly and relentlessly upwards, bending yieldingly around obstacles. Thus the noble is devoted in his character and never slows down his progress (Cf. for this: ″ Work that never loses its vigor, Which slowly creates, and never destroys, Which to the building of eternity, it is true, Adds only grain by grain of sand, Yet from the great debt of the times Erases moments, days, years ″).

I Ching – Series

The accumulation upward is called ascending. This is why the sign follows: Ascending.

I Ching – Single Lines

Analytical description of each individual line

I Ching – First line:

Six at the beginning means:
Ascending that meets trust brings great health.

This is the initial situation of the ascent. As the wood takes the strength to rise from its root which is all down, so the strength to rise from its root is all down and the strength to be able to rise comes from this situation. It is below and ignored. But there is an inner affinity of disposition with those who reign above, and this commonality gives us the confidence we need in order to really do something.

I Ching – Second line:

Nine in the second place means:
If you are true it is also propitious to offer a small sacrifice. No stains.

Here it is assumed that there is a strong man. It is true that he is not quite suited to his environment, being too rough and paying too little attention to forms. But he is intimately sincere therefore the others come to meet him, and the meanness of his external forms does no harm. Sincerity is here the expression of solid qualities, while in the corresponding line of the preceding sign it is the effect of intimate humility.

I Ching – Third line:

Nine in the third place means:
Ascending one enters a desert city.

Here all the obstacles that usually hinder progress fall. Things are proceeding with surprising ease. Without hesitation, this path is followed to exploit success. Seen from the outside it seems that everything is perfectly fine. Yet no expression is added that portends luck. It is not known how long such unhindered success can last. But it is advisable not to dwell on such doubts, because in this way one would only inhibit one’s energy, while instead one must quickly use the favor of time.

I Ching – Fourth line:

Six in the fourth place means:
The king presents him to Mount Ki. Health. No stains!

Mount Ki is in the western part of China, in the country of origin of King Uenn, whose son, the Duke of Ciou, added the words referring to the individual lines. It is a reminder of the times when the Ciou dynasty came to power. At that time the great helpers were presented by King Uenn to the God of the native mountain, and they obtained a place at the side of the sovereign in the halls of their ancestors. The stage where ascending reaches the goal is drawn here. One becomes famous in the presence of men and gods and is welcomed into the circle of men that encompasses the entire life of the nation, and thus obtains a lasting and eternal meaning.

I Ching – Fifth line:

Six in the fifth place means:
Perseverance brings health. One ascends gradually.

Going further and further, it is important not to get drunk on success. Precisely when success is continuous, it is necessary to remain sober durably, not wanting to jump any step, but to advance as if hesitating step by step. Only this quiet and steady progress that does not precipitate things leads to the goal.

I Ching – Sixth line:

Six above means:
Ascending in the dark. It is propitious to be incessantly persevering.

Whoever pushes himself upward blindly, he is inwardly dazzled. He knows only the progress, not the retreat. However, in doing so we exhaust ourselves. In this case it is important to constantly be and remain conscientious and consequent. Only in this way can one become free from that blind impulse which is always harmful.