I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 46 with Changing Lines 1, 2, 3, 5 to Hexagram 3

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 46.1.2.3.5 -> 3

46. Pushing Upward (升 Shēng)

Trigrams

Above
☷ Kūn (Earth)
Below
☴ Xùn (Wind)

The Symbolism of Hexagram 46

Hexagram 升 (Shēng) represents upward progress, growth, and advancement. This hexagram speaks of steady, consistent effort to improve one's position or circumstances. Success comes from persistence, gradual advancement, and humility.

Hexagram 46 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
"升,元亨,用見大人,勿恤,南征吉。"
(Shēng, yuán hēng, yòng jiàn dàrén, wù xù, nán zhēng jí.)
English Translation:
“Pushing Upward. Supreme success. It is favorable to see the great person. Do not worry. Going south brings good fortune.”

This hexagram advises slow and steady progress toward one's goals. Success comes from seeking the guidance of a wise person, remaining patient, and advancing in a humble and deliberate manner. The direction south symbolizes a favorable course of action.

Hexagram 46 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
"地中生木,升。君子以順德,積小以高大。"
(Dì zhōng shēng mù, shēng. Jūn zǐ yǐ shùn dé, jī xiǎo yǐ gāo dà.)
English Translation:
“Wood grows up from the earth: The image of Pushing Upward. The superior person, by cultivating virtue, builds small things to achieve greatness.”

The image of wood growing from the earth symbolizes slow, steady growth. The superior person cultivates their character and gradually builds up small successes into great accomplishments. Patience and consistency are key.

Line 1 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
"允升,大吉。"
(Yǔn shēng, dà jí.)
English Translation:
“Sincere advancement. Great good fortune.”

This line advises making sincere, honest efforts toward upward progress. By remaining true to one's goals, great good fortune follows. It emphasizes the importance of integrity in advancing.

Line 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
"孚乃利用禴,无咎。"
(Fú nǎi lì yòng yuè, wú jiù.)
English Translation:
“Sincerity brings the opportunity to make a small offering. No blame.”

This line speaks of sincere efforts leading to the opportunity to contribute or offer something of value. Even a small offering brings success, and there is no blame in working steadily toward one's goals.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
"升虛邑。"
(Shēng xū yì.)
English Translation:
“Advancing into an empty city.”

This line describes advancing into a situation where there is no immediate reward or gain, symbolized by the empty city. It advises continuing the effort, even if progress seems slow or unrecognized at first.

Line 5 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
"貞吉,升階。"
(Zhēn jí, shēng jiē.)
English Translation:
“Perseverance brings good fortune. Advancing step by step.”

This line advises persevering in one's efforts, advancing slowly and steadily. Step-by-step progress leads to success, and good fortune follows from consistent, careful effort.

Changing to:

3. Difficulty at the Beginning (屯 Zhūn)

Trigrams

Above
☵ Kǎn (Water)
Below
☳ Zhèn (Thunder)

The Symbolism of Hexagram 3

Hexagram 屯 (Zhūn) symbolizes difficulty and confusion at the beginning of a new venture. It represents the struggles encountered at the outset of creation or development. Like sprouting seeds pushing through the soil, progress is slow, uncertain, and requires persistence. Zhūn encourages perseverance in the face of obstacles and advises careful planning and patience in the early stages. This hexagram illustrates that chaos often precedes order, and that new beginnings, though difficult, are full of potential once obstacles are overcome.

Hexagram 3 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
"元亨,利贞,勿用有攸往,利建侯。"
(Yuán hēng, lì zhēn, wù yòng yǒu yōu wǎng, lì jiàn hóu.)
English Translation:
“Sublime success. Perseverance furthers. Do not act in haste; it is favorable to establish lords.”

The judgment emphasizes that despite the initial difficulties, success is possible through perseverance. Acting hastily or impulsively is discouraged. The mention of establishing lords represents the need for careful organization, strategic planning, and forming alliances. It suggests the importance of solid foundations before advancing, as well as surrounding oneself with trusted individuals or a supportive network in times of hardship.

Hexagram 3 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
"云雷,屯。君子以经纶。"
(Yún léi, zhūn. Jūn zǐ yǐ jīng lún.)
English Translation:
“Clouds and thunder: Difficulty at the beginning. The superior man brings order out of confusion.”

The image of clouds and thunder signifies the chaotic and tumultuous energy of the early stages of development. Clouds gather but do not yet produce rain, while thunder rumbles without lightning—a metaphor for potential that has not yet materialized. The superior man acts with wisdom and foresight, organizing and directing these chaotic forces toward a structured outcome. The lesson here is to remain patient and focused, trusting that with deliberate action, chaos can be transformed into order.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team