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Representative illustrated story image for I-Ching Hexagram 46, Pushing Upward.

Daily I-Ching · Sunday, June 28, 2026

Hexagram 46: Pushing Upward

A tree growing quietly through the earth. Growth here is gradual, from below, not leaping but patient.

Reflect today: Where in the day does the pattern of pushing upward already show itself, and what single act would answer it well?

Upper Kūn · Earth
Lower Xùn · Wind

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Today's Meaning

A tree growing quietly through the earth. Growth here is gradual, from below, not leaping but patient. The counsel is to accumulate small efforts, consult the worthy, and face the ascent without fear — the moment favours those who press steadily upward.

Practice

  1. Name Pushing Upward. Look for the place where rising is already shaping the day: A tree growing quietly through the earth.
  2. Practice the Image. Let the Image become conduct: the superior person of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.
  3. Answer Hexagram 46. Before the day ends, make one visible choice that fits Pushing Upward instead of forcing the day to answer your preference.

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The Illustrated Story

A carpenter planted a pine by his gate when his first son was born. Each year he pruned it, shaped it, and taught his son to do the same. The tree grew no faster than any other pine, but straighter, cleaner, and — over forty years — taller than the temple. When the carpenter died, his grandson took over the tree. "How did you know it would become great?" the grandson was asked. "We didn't," he said. "We only knew that every year, something small and correct could be done. That is the whole art."

Pine At The Gate
Yearly Pruning
Small Correct Act
Straighter Than Others
Grandson Takes Over
Taller Than The Temple

Continue to the full Hexagram 46 page for Judgment, Image, trigrams, and line commentary.

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