䷭ Sheng shēng
Core Meaning
The Sheng hexagram reveals the wisdom of ascent. Ascent is not achieved overnight; it must be gradual. The Sheng hexagram emphasizes: ascent requires following the trend, 'Sun and compliant' for gentle and unhurried progress; seizing the opportunity, 'gentle ascent at the right time' choosing the opportune moment; having benefactors, 'it is advantageous to meet great men' for guidance; moving towards brightness, 'marching south brings good fortune' for the correct direction; taking steps, 'ascending the steps' advancing step by step; accumulating small things to achieve greatness, 'accumulate small to achieve greatness' for progressive improvement; and perseverance, 'unceasingly steadfast' for continuous effort. In modern society, everyone wants to ascend. The Sheng hexagram tells us: ascent cannot be rushed; it must be gradual, like the growth of a tree; ascent must follow the trend, conforming to rules rather than acting against them; ascent requires accumulation, 'accumulate small to achieve greatness' from quantitative change to qualitative change; ascent requires perseverance, 'unceasingly steadfast' continuous effort. True ascent is natural growth, not forced growth.
The Judgment
Great and penetrating; it is advantageous to meet great men; do not worry; marching south brings good fortune.
Interpretation:
It is greatly auspicious and penetrating; it is beneficial to meet great figures; there is no need to worry; advancing towards the south brings good fortune.
The Image
Wood grows from the earth, which is elevation; The superior person, with compliant virtue, accumulates small things to achieve greatness.
Structure
The Sheng (Ascending) hexagram has Sun (Wind) below and Kun (Earth) above. Sun represents wind and wood, situated below, while Kun represents earth, situated above, forming the image of 'Earth over Wind' representing ascent. Wood grows from within the earth, continuously upward, which is the 'spirit' of ascent. Ascent means rising, progressing gradually. The lower trigram Sun is compliant, and the upper trigram Kun is also compliant. Sun and Kun together signify compliant and gentle ascent. The Nine in the second place (yang line) is firm and in the central position, corresponding to the Six in the fifth place, indicating firmness in the center and response, thus greatly auspicious. The key to ascent is: to follow the trend, 'Sun and compliant' for gentle progress; to seize the opportunity, 'gentle ascent at the right time' choosing the opportune moment; to have benefactors, 'it is advantageous to meet great men' for guidance and support; to move towards brightness, 'marching south brings good fortune' if the direction is correct; and to accumulate small things to achieve greatness, 'accumulate small to achieve greatness' step by step. The Sheng hexagram emphasizes: ascent must be gradual, follow the trend, and be persistent.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Beginning Six: Assent and ascend, great good fortune.
Nine in the second place: Sincere in faith, it is advantageous to use the simple sacrifice (yue), no blame.
Nine in the third place: Ascending into an empty city.
Six in the fourth place: The king uses it for offering sacrifices at Mount Qi, good fortune and no blame.
Six in the fifth place: Perseverance brings good fortune; ascending the steps.
Top Six: Ascending in obscurity; it is beneficial to be unceasingly steadfast.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Career advancement must be gradual. 'Great and penetrating', promising prospects. 'It is advantageous to meet great men', needing guidance from benefactors. 'Marching south brings good fortune', striving in the correct direction. The Beginning Six, 'Assent and ascend, great good fortune' is the smoothest, suitable for an opportune time for ascent, 'conforming to the will' of superiors. The Nine in the second place, 'sincere' implies sincerity, even if 'using simple sacrifice' with limited resources, sincerity will lead to 'no blame', and 'joy' will come. The Nine in the third place, 'ascending into an empty city' is the smoothest, unimpeded, 'no doubt' as there is no need for hesitation. The Six in the fourth place, 'the king uses it for offering sacrifices at Mount Qi' signifies achieving merit and establishing a career, 'compliant with affairs' following the trend. The Six in the fifth place, 'perseverance brings good fortune; ascending the steps' is the most stable, taking one step at a time, 'achieving great aspirations'. The Top Six, 'ascending in obscurity' implies rising even in dimness, but 'it is beneficial to be unceasingly steadfast' means persistence. Remember: ascent requires following the trend, accumulation, and perseverance.
❤️ Relationships
Emotional growth must be natural. 'Great and penetrating', the relationship is developing well. 'It is advantageous to meet great men', requiring approval from elders. 'Marching south brings good fortune', developing in a healthy direction. The Beginning Six, 'Assent and ascend, great good fortune', indicates a suitable time for a smooth relationship, 'conforming to the will' of mutual aspirations. The Nine in the second place, 'sincere' implies sincerity; even if 'using simple sacrifice' with simple conditions, sincerity is good. The Nine in the third place, 'ascending into an empty city' indicates smooth progress, 'no doubt' as there is no need for suspicion. The Six in the fourth place, 'the king uses it for offering sacrifices at Mount Qi' means gaining recognition, 'good fortune and no blame' signifies a stable relationship. The Six in the fifth place, 'perseverance brings good fortune; ascending the steps' is ideal, deepening step by step, 'achieving great aspirations' fulfilling emotional desires. The Top Six, 'ascending in obscurity' implies difficulties, but 'it is beneficial to be unceasingly steadfast' means perseverance is key. Remember: emotions should develop naturally, cannot be rushed, and require 'accumulating small things to achieve greatness' for gradual growth.
🎯 Decision Making
Decision-making for advancement requires seizing the opportunity. 'Sheng, gentle ascent at the right time', choosing the right moment is crucial. One must 'great and penetrating' believe in the prospects, 'it is advantageous to meet great men' seek guidance, 'marching south' in the correct direction, 'accumulate small to achieve greatness' build strength, and 'Sun and compliant' advance gently without impatience. The Beginning Six, 'Assent and ascend' means seizing the opportune moment, 'great good fortune'. The Nine in the second place needs to be 'sincere', even with few resources, sincerity is sufficient. The Nine in the third place, 'ascending into an empty city' is smooth and unimpeded, 'no doubt' to advance decisively. The Six in the fourth place, 'compliant with affairs' means following the trend to achieve merit. The Six in the fifth place, 'ascending the steps' is the most stable, step by step, 'perseverance brings good fortune' righteous perseverance brings good fortune. The Top Six, 'ascending in obscurity' requires 'unceasingly steadfast' perseverance. Remember: ascent requires choosing the right time, following the trend, accumulation, and persistence.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The biggest warning of the Sheng hexagram is rushing for quick results. Ascent must be gradual, 'accumulate small to achieve greatness', not forced growth. Be wary of: rushing for quick success leading to failure, going against the trend leading to unnecessary hardship, being isolated without benefactors, wrong direction leading astray, and giving up halfway due to lack of persistence. Remember: ascent should be 'gentle ascent at the right time' choosing the opportune moment, 'Sun and compliant' advancing gently, 'it is advantageous to meet great men' seeking guidance, 'marching south' in the correct direction, 'ascending the steps' step by step, and 'unceasingly steadfast' continuous effort. The Top Six, 'ascending in obscurity without prosperity' warns that rising to the peak in an oblivious state will lead to decline. True ascent is like 'wood growing from the earth', natural growth, gradual progression, and persistent effort.
Applicable Scenarios
The Sheng hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
The rise of King Wen of Zhou is a classic example of the Sheng hexagram. King Wen's 'wood grows from the earth' describes how the state of Zhou, under the rule of the Shang dynasty, was like seedlings in the earth, growing silently. He was 'Sun and compliant', outwardly submissive to King Zhou of Shang, but secretly accumulating strength. He 'accumulated small things to achieve greatness', gradually strengthening his small state, 'ascending the steps' steadily. He 'advantageously met great men', obtaining assistance from wise ministers, such as Jiang Ziya. He 'marched south for good fortune', choosing the correct path of governing with virtue. He was 'sincere' and treated people with integrity, even if 'using simple sacrifice' with limited resources, relying on trustworthiness. The Nine in the third place, 'ascending into an empty city', refers to the smooth occupation of surrounding territories. The Six in the fifth place, 'perseverance brings good fortune; ascending the steps', gradually elevated his status, 'achieving great aspirations'. Eventually, King Wu completed the conquest of Shang. This represents the 'unceasingly steadfast' persistence across three generations. The wisdom of the Sheng hexagram: ascent requires following the trend, accumulation, and perseverance, without impatience. 'Gentle ascent at the right time' choosing the opportune moment is most important.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Sheng hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: