What this hexagram is about
A tree growing up within the earth, rising in its proper order — the image of ascent and advance. Like a tree growing as its nature bids, plant your feet firmly and build the small into the great, and you rise step by step as a matter of course.
The Judgment 卦辞
升，元亨，用见大人，勿恤，南征吉。
Supreme success. One should see the great person; have no anxiety. To march south brings good fortune.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：地中生木，升；君子以顺德，积小以高大。
A tree grows up within the earth; so the noble person, following his virtue, builds the small into the high and great.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
允升大吉，上合志也。
Trusted and rising, great good fortune — above, the wills accord.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Six at the top冥升，利于不息之贞。
To press blindly upward without sight — ascent at its limit, not knowing where to stop; now it serves only to hold to the unbroken, upright way of ceaseless self-examination.
Six in the fifth place贞吉，升阶。
Hold to the right, and good fortune — like climbing the stairs step by step, advancing in order, rising steadily.
Six in the fourth place王用亨于岐山，吉，无咎。
The king makes reverent offering on Mount Qi — yielding and honoring those above, storing virtue and receiving blessing — good fortune, and no fault.
Six in the third place升虚邑。
Rising into an open, unhindered town — the ascent flows on, nothing standing in its way.
Nine in the second place孚乃利用禴，无咎。
With sincerity in the heart, even a meager offering is fitting; there is no fault.
Initial Nine允升，大吉。
Trusted by high and low, one rises in due order — the highest good fortune.