The Commentaries on the I Ching
Jan
To understand Yijing (the I Ching), many experts recommend first reading Yizhuan (the Commentaries on the I Ching). They say that if you want to truly grasp the depth of the I Ching, you should read the Yizhuan multiple times, reflect on it, and then go back to the I Ching with a new perspective. So, here’s a simplified guide to Yizhuan, which will hopefully give you a clearer sense of what it’s about.
Yizhuan consists of seven key texts (ten wings), and here’s a breakdown of what each one covers:
- Xiangzhuan (The Commentary on the Images): This is split into two parts and explains the hexagrams’ imagery, names, and judgments, but it doesn’t cover the line texts (the yao). It’s like interpreting the visual symbolism of each hexagram and understanding its deeper meaning without getting bogged down by details.
- Xiangzhuan (The Commentary on the Images – Part 2): This is also in two parts, focusing specifically on the interpretations of the hexagram and line texts. Xiang is further divided into Xiaoxiang (Small Image) and Daxiang (Great Image). The Daxiang explains the hexagram judgments, while the Xiaoxiang delves into the line texts.
- Wenyan (The Words of the Text): This one focuses on the interpretation of the Qian (Heaven) and Kun (Earth) hexagrams, the two most important and fundamental hexagrams in the I Ching.
- Xici zhuan (The Treatise on the Connection): Also in two parts, this explains both the hexagram and line texts, offering insight into the structure and flow of the hexagrams.
- Shuogua zhuan (The Treatise on the Explanation of the Hexagrams): This one is all about explaining the hexagram symbols and texts in more detail. It’s like a manual on how to read the symbols and understand their meaning.
- Xugua zhuan (The Treatise on the Sequence of Hexagrams): This section focuses on explaining the sequence of the 64 hexagrams. It helps you understand why they are ordered the way they are, which is vital for making sense of the I Ching as a whole.
- Zagua zhuan (The Treatise on Miscellaneous Hexagrams): This one explains the opposite meanings of certain hexagrams. It’s like a crash course on the contradictions and complementary forces at play in the system.
In short, Yizhuan provides the essential commentary for unlocking the I Ching’s deeper meanings, breaking down its wisdom into digestible parts. Without it, reading the I Ching might feel like trying to understand a cryptic riddle written in an ancient language. Think of it as the key that helps you make sense of the world through symbols and opposites—a little like using a compass to navigate a maze of metaphysical concepts!
Imagine you’re sitting in your favorite coffee shop in Brooklyn, sipping on your overpriced latte, when suddenly, your friend Jake, the guy who’s always deep into something weird, drops a book on your table. It’s old—like, really old. You glance at the cover and see some strange symbols, and he just grins at you.
“It’s I Ching, man. The Book of Changes,” Jake says, his eyes wide, like he’s just stumbled upon the secret of the universe.
You raise an eyebrow. “The what now?”
“Just trust me,” he replies, pulling out his phone to show you a bizarre TikTok clip of someone flipping coins and drawing hexagrams. “This thing’s a game changer. It’s like the ultimate life hack. It’s ancient Chinese wisdom, and it’s still so relevant today.”
You squint at him, trying to figure out whether he’s lost it or if there’s something to this. “So… what does it do? Like, tell me my future or something?”
Jake leans in. “It’s not about predicting your future. It’s about understanding the flow of life. But you need the Yizhuan, the commentaries, to really get it.”
You nod, pretending to understand. “Okay, so what’s the deal with this Yizhuan? Sounds like a hidden level in a video game.”
Jake laughs. “Exactly! It’s like the cheat code to the game of life. Without it, you’re just playing blind.”
The Start of a Journey
That night, you can’t stop thinking about it. You pull up some info online and start reading about the I Ching—or rather, the Yizhuan, the core commentary that explains the deeper layers of this ancient book. At first, it feels like you’re drowning in a sea of unfamiliar terms—hexagrams, line texts, and all this philosophical jargon.
But the more you read, the more you realize this isn’t just some dusty old book. It’s a blueprint for navigating life. Each hexagram represents a moment in time, a snapshot of change. And every line—every single one—offers a lesson, a bit of wisdom about the human experience.
But to understand it fully, you realize, you need to understand Yizhuan.
The Emotional Climb
It starts with Xiangzhuan (The Commentary on the Images). Think of it as looking at a picture—let’s say, a picture of a stormy sea. You see the waves crashing, the clouds darkening, and the boat rocking dangerously. But with Xiangzhuan, you learn to interpret the symbols in the picture. It’s not just a storm—it’s a metaphor for turbulent times in life.
You pause, reflecting on your own life. It’s like you’re standing on the deck of your own ship, caught in the winds of uncertainty. Maybe this is how you’ve been feeling lately—lost, uncertain, not knowing which direction to take. The Xiangzhuan gives you a new perspective. The storm might look frightening, but it’s also an opportunity to navigate through it, to learn how to steer your ship with grace.
Then you move on to Wenyan (The Words of the Text). You dive deeper into the Qian and Kun hexagrams—the foundational ones. It’s like suddenly understanding that everything in your life is a balance of opposites. The Qian is Heaven—the pure, infinite force, while Kun is Earth—the nurturing, receptive force. Together, they create harmony, balance.
Your mind starts to race. You think about your relationship with your partner. It’s been rocky lately. You’ve been stubborn, holding on to your own vision of things. Your partner’s been trying to meet you halfway, but you’ve been too caught up in your own “Heavenly” ideals. Maybe you need to listen more—to be more Kun, to embrace the support around you instead of fighting against it.
It hits you—I Ching isn’t some abstract philosophy. It’s a mirror. A guide to help you understand yourself, your relationships, and your place in the world.
The Climax of Realization
The more you read, the deeper you get into the layers of Yizhuan. Shuogua zhuan (The Treatise on the Explanation of the Hexagrams) and Xugua zhuan (The Treatise on the Sequence of Hexagrams) reveal the intricate dance of symbols and how they connect, like a secret language. You begin to see how these hexagrams are not just theoretical—they’re alive. They evolve, just like the twists and turns of a story.
But it’s Zagua zhuan (The Treatise on Miscellaneous Hexagrams) that hits hardest. This section talks about the opposites in life—how seemingly contradictory forces are actually complementary. Like the yin and yang, your strengths and weaknesses, or even the moments when you feel lost but are actually being guided toward growth.
It’s in this realization that everything comes together. You think back to your life—your struggles, your victories, your mistakes. Each hexagram, each lesson, mirrors a part of you. Maybe you’re not just floating in the chaos after all. Maybe you’re part of a much bigger, grander design.
The Emotional Release
You close the book, your mind buzzing. There’s a shift. It’s not an instant fix, but something inside you has clicked. You feel like you’re on the edge of a new chapter in your life, armed with a deeper understanding of the forces at play. The weight of the past feels lighter, and you realize that even though life is full of change, you have the tools to navigate it.
You shoot Jake a text: “Alright, man. I get it now. I Ching isn’t just a book—it’s a guide to life. How did you know this was exactly what I needed?”
Jake’s reply pops up instantly: “I didn’t. I just knew you’d get there eventually. You always do.”
And with that, you realize Jake had given you more than just a book. He’d given you the map to your own journey—one that you were always meant to discover.
This, my friend, is the power of the Yizhuan. It’s not just ancient wisdom; it’s the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. It’s like discovering a new lens through which you can see life, one hexagram at a time.