The Han Dynasty marked a critical period in the history of the I Ching. It was during this era that the text, along with its Ten Wings, was officially canonized as one of the Five Confucian Classics, solidifying its importance in Chinese statecraft, scholarship, and education. This period also saw the nascent development of distinct interpretive approaches that would shape I Ching studies for centuries.
This article discusses the I Ching's canonization under Emperor Wu of Han and introduces the two major early schools of thought: the Yili (Meaning/Principle) school, focusing on philosophical and ethical insights, and the Xiangshu (Image/Number) school, emphasizing cosmology, numerology, and symbolic correlations.
The Confucian Lens: Early Shaping of I Ching's Meaning
Investigating the initial impact of Confucian thought and its proponents in interpreting the I Ching, emphasizing its moral and ethical dimensions beyond divination.
New Currents: I Ching in the Six Dynasties and Tang Dynasty
Exploring the evolving interpretations of the I Ching during the Six Dynasties and Tang Dynasty, including the profound influence of Daoism (Xuanxue) and Buddhism, and key commentators like Wang Bi.