Hexagram 46, line 5
六五Line 5 of Ascending
Six in the fifth place · 升 shēng
爻辭 The line text
貞吉，升階。The fifth line, divided, shows its subject firmly correct, and therefore enjoying good fortune. He ascends the stairs (with all due ceremony).
貞吉升階，大得志也。'He is firmly correct, and will therefore enjoy good fortune. He ascends the stairs (with all due ceremony):'—he grandly succeeds in his aim.
In plain words
The ruler of Sheng: 'steadiness brings good fortune; he ascends the steps' (貞吉，升階). Yin in the central place of Kun, corresponding to the sincere strong line at two, this is the ruler who rises by the proper stair — each step in order, with the support of the able subject below. The small Image says it greatly obtains its aim (大得志也). The condition is steadiness: a yielding ruler in the highest working place must keep to the sequence and not leap. Cheng Yi reads it as the sovereign who uses the worthy minister at two and so completes the ascent the whole hexagram has been building toward.
If this line is changing
Take the stairs one at a time and keep the capable person who supports you close; the aim you have been climbing toward is reached by order, not by a leap.
Where the line stands
- A broken line, yin — written 六 (six), the number of an old yin line that moves when cast.
- It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.
- It is central (中): the middle line of its trigram, the position the commentaries read as balanced and most favourable.
- It belongs to the upper trigram 坤 Kun (the Receptive) (earth).
- It corresponds (應) with line 2: one yin and one yang, the two lines answer each other across the hexagram.
之卦 When this line moves
升 Ascending becomes ䷯ 48 井 Well
Water drawn up through wood: the well. Towns move, the well stays; it neither increases nor decreases — but a broken rope or a muddy well helps no one.
What it becomes48 · 井 WelljǐngThe six lines of 升 Ascending
- 初六Six at the beginningwelcomed ascent · trusted rise · same mind above
- 九二Nine in the second placesincerity · the small offering · joy
- 九三Nine in the third placethe empty city · unopposed · no hesitation
- 六四Six in the fourth placeoffering on Mount Qi · service that fits · the king's trust
- 六五Six in the fifth placeascending the steps · steadiness · great success
- 上六Six at the topclimbing in the dark · ceaseless steadiness · wealth that wanes
Read 升 Ascending for a question about
Questions about this line
- What does Six in the fifth place of hexagram 46, Ascending, mean?
- The ruler of Sheng: 'steadiness brings good fortune; he ascends the steps' (貞吉，升階). Yin in the central place of Kun, corresponding to the sincere strong line at two, this is the ruler who rises by the proper stair — each step in order, with the support of the able subject below. The small Image says it greatly obtains its aim (大得志也). The condition is steadiness: a yielding ruler in the highest working place must keep to the sequence and not leap. Cheng Yi reads it as the sovereign who uses the worthy minister at two and so completes the ascent the whole hexagram has been building toward.
- What does hexagram 46 become when line 5 changes?
- Ascending becomes hexagram 48, 井 Well: Water drawn up through wood: the well. Towns move, the well stays; it neither increases nor decreases — but a broken rope or a muddy well helps no one.
- Is line 5 of Ascending in its correct place?
- It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning. It is central (中): the middle line of its trigram, the position the commentaries read as balanced and most favourable.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).