Pushing Upward
The Tree in the Earth
In 1882 Legge distinguished Shang's Great Image of accumulating virtue from its oracle's account of an officer rising to high rank.
James Legge, The Yî King (Sacred Books of the East XVI, Clarendon Press, 1882), Text, XLVI, pp. 159–161; Appendix II, XLVI, pp. 324–325. Compare Wilhelm/Baynes, The I Ching (1950), hexagram 46, online transcription.
Hexagram 46 of the Yijing: Earth above Wood.
More context
Sheng places Earth above Xun, here understood as Wood. The Great Image describes wood growing within the ground and applies the picture to small accumulations of virtue. Legge's 1882 commentary distinguishes this cultivation from the oracle's account of a good officer rising to distinction. The oracle favours meeting the great man and advancing south. Wilhelm's commentary, available in Baynes's 1950 English translation, describes growth that adapts to obstacles and bends around them. The final line warns of blind upward advance.
Light
The Great Image builds high and great virtue from small developments; progress requires continued attention to character.
Shadow
The final line advances blindly at the greatest height; its Lesser Image warns of decay and lost riches.