Pushing Upward
Earth over wind, the image of slow steady ascent of growth from below.
Pushing upward has supreme success. One must see the great person. Fear not.
Wood within the earth, the image of pushing upward. The superior person heaps small things to achieve high and great.
In plain terms: Hexagram 46, "Pushing Upward", is one of the 64 symbols in the I Ching — an ancient Chinese book you consult for guidance, a bit like asking a wise advisor. Its core message: earth over wind, the image of slow steady ascent of growth from below..
Modern Interpretation
An ascent hexagram about slow patient growth from below. Wood within earth pushes upward through patient daily increase. The classical counsel is that the ascent is supported, the right counselor will appear, and small daily gains compound into large achievement. In modern terms this is the long apprenticeship, the patient career, the steady climb of an institution from small beginnings to important position. The ascent is not glamorous, but it is reliable.
Application by Life Domain
The relationship is in steady ascent. Honor the slow build; do not seek dramatic accelerations.
Climb the long ladder. Daily increase compounds. Find the right senior counselor; the next step is real.
Yes, take the next step. The ladder is solid; do not skip rungs.
Practice patient daily ascent. Heap small things to achieve high and great.
The Trigrams of This Hexagram
Upper: Kun (坤)
Earth, the Receptive, pure receptivity. In Five Element terms: Yin Earth.
Lower: Xun (巽)
Wind and Wood, the Gentle, gradual penetration. In Five Element terms: Yin Wood.
Other Hexagrams
Browse other hexagrams in the I Ching sequence.