Volume 3,Issue 9
Three Relations between the Symbolic Words of the Book of Changes
This study investigates the relationship between symbolic-numerical systems and philosophical interpretations in Zhouyi (Book of Changes) scholarship, focusing on three core questions: whether Yi studies can operate independently of symbolic-numerical frameworks, the existence of unified standards for interpreting symbols, and the feasibility of achieving complete correspondence between symbolic texts and their corresponding images. Through historical textual analysis and close reading methods, this research systematically examines the theoretical frameworks and practical implementations of Yi scholars like Wang Bi and Yu Fan across dynasties, analyzing both macro-level theoretical traditions and micro-level textual commentaries. The analysis yields three principal findings. First, Wang Bi, traditionally regarded as the founder of the philosophical school, extensively employed Han-Dynasty symbolic-numerological techniques—such as "opposition, " "interconnecting, " "ascent and descent, " and "hexagram transformation"—in his Zhouyi Commentary, revealing that his interpretations remained grounded in symbolic-numerological principles. Second, the Yi Zhuan (Ten Wings), particularly the Shuogua Zhuan (Treatise on the Trigrams), established a universally acknowledged standard for symbol interpretation accepted by both the philosophical and symbolic-numerological schools. Third, the classical compilation principle of "observing the images to compose the judgments" provides a theoretical foundation for the possibility of full text-image correspondence. The study concludes that: Yi studies cannot be divorced from symbolic-numerical systems; symbol interpretation should adhere to the unified standards set by the Yi Zhuan; while strict adherence to these standards achieves complete correspondence, scholars must avoid "lost images" beyond the Zhuan's scope to prevent excessive proliferation of symbolic-numerical interpretations.
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