46 · 升
Hexagram 46, 升. Original Chinese judgment: 元亨，用見大人，勿恤，南征吉。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.
Judgment
元亨，用見大人，勿恤，南征吉。
Line texts
- 初六：允升，大吉。
- 九二：孚乃利用禴，无咎。
- 九三：升虛邑。
- 六四：王用亨于岐山，吉无咎。
- 六五：貞吉，升階。
- 上六：冥升，利于不息之貞。
Tuan commentary
柔以時升，巽而順，剛中而應，是以大亨。用見大人，勿恤；有慶也。南征吉，志行也。
Great Image commentary
地中生木，升；君子以順德，積小以高大。
Small Images · bottom to top
- 允升大吉，上合志也。
- 九二之孚，有喜也。
- 升虛邑，无所疑也。
- 王用亨于岐山，順事也。
- 貞吉升階，大得志也。
- 冥升在上，消不富也。
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese
Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.
朱熹《周易本義》
Judgment exegesis
Zhu Xi explains Sheng through a yielding line advancing upward with the time, Xun in the inner trigram and yielding responsiveness in the outer trigram, with firm centered strength having correspondence. Rising is not a sudden leap: like wood growing in earth, responsive caution builds small gains into height.
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts
- Yielding strength below in the first line governs Xun’s entering. In the time of rising it follows two yang lines and shares the aims above, making ascent genuinely possible and greatly auspicious.
- Firm strength at the center in the second line is trustworthy, sharing the meaning of Cui’s second yin line. Sufficient sincerity makes even modest offerings without blame and joyful.
- Firm yang in the third line uses the time of rising to enter the empty town represented by Kun. No substantial obstruction ahead leaves no cause for doubt or fear.
- Yielding virtue in the fourth line rises with circumstances, like a ruler ascending Mount Qi for an offering. Responsive, fitting conduct is auspicious and without blame.
- Yin in a yang fifth position occupies honored rank and needs steadfast correctness to rise steadily by the steps. Such accessible advance fully realizes its purpose.
- Yielding yin at the extreme of rising gains nothing by blindly pursuing outward ascent without cease. Turn that unceasing commitment instead toward maintaining the proper way.
Plain-language reading
Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.
Judgment introduction
Sheng describes yielding strength rising with the time, like wood growing out of the earth. Rising is not a sudden leap: responsive, cautious virtue builds from small to large and advances step by step.
Plain-language reading · Line texts
- Yielding strength below shares the aims of those above and can rise with the situation; this is greatly auspicious.
- Firm strength at the center is trustworthy. When sincerity is sufficient, even modest offerings can be without blame.
- Yang strength uses the time of rising to enter an empty town. With no substantial obstruction ahead, there need be no doubt or fear.
- Rising with the circumstances through yielding virtue is fitting conduct, like ascending a mountain to make an offering; it is auspicious and without blame.
- In an honored position, steadfast correctness is necessary to rise steadily along the steps and fully realize one's purpose.
- Seeking further advance blindly after rising has reached its extreme brings no benefit. Turn that unceasing commitment instead toward maintaining the proper way.