Sh^eng / Pushing Upward
above:K'un The Receptive, Earth
below:Sun The Gentle, Wind
Shang indicates that (under its conditions) there will be
great progress and success. Seeking by (the qualities implied
in it) to meet with the great man, its subject need have no
anxiety. Advance to the south will be fortunate.
Overall Meaning
Rising and advancing, the symbol of pushing upwards
The character Shang is used of advancing in an upward direction,
'advancing and ascending'. And here, as the name of the hexagram, it denotes
the advance of a good officer to the highest pinnacle of distinction. The
second line, in the center of the lower trigram, is strong, but the strength
is tempered by its being in an even place. As the representative of the
subject of the hexagram, it shows him to be possessed of modesty and force.
Then the ruler's seat, the fifth place, is occupied by a divided line,
indicating that he will welcome the advance of 2. The officer therefore both
has the qualities that fit him to advance, and a favorable opportunity to do
so. The result of his advance will be fortunate.
It is said that after he has met with the ruler, 'the great man' in 5,
'advance to the south will be fortunate'. Ku Hsi and other critics say that
'advancing to the south' is equivalent simply to 'advancing forwards'. The
south is the region of brightness and warmth; advance towards it will be a
joyful progress.