《易经》: From Divination Classic to the Philosophy of Change in China
A systematic introduction to the compilation background of 《易经》, its canonical and commentary structure, the sixty-four hexagram system, divination function, and intellectual influence, explaining why it is one of the most important foundational classics in Chinese metaphysical culture and philosophy of change.
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Revision — 2026-10-24: clarified titles, textual layers and traditional authorship; removed website-building instructions and generic FAQs. The 64 hexagram articles remain unchanged.
The text and its commentaries
The names Zhouyi, Yijing and I Ching overlap in modern usage. A useful introduction identifies what an edition contains rather than insisting that each title always denotes a different book. The core text presents 64 hexagrams with judgments and line statements; later commentaries form the Yizhuan.
The “Ten Wings” comprise seven works in ten parts: the Tuan, Xiang and Xici each have two parts, followed by the Wenyan, Shuogua, Xugua and Zagua. The received upper and lower sections contain 30 and 34 hexagrams. Qian and Kun also have special statements for “using nine” and “using six”; these are not ordinary seventh lines.
Traditional authorship and historical layers
Accounts connecting the work with Fuxi, King Wen, the Duke of Zhou and Confucius belong to its influential traditional history. They should not be presented as a securely established timetable of individual authorship. The core and commentaries have different textual layers, and dates and authorship remain subjects of scholarship. Later divination procedures also need their own sources rather than being automatically assigned to the earliest text.
Reading a hexagram
Count its six lines from the bottom upward. Nine and six in line titles designate yang and yin. An upper and a lower trigram together form the hexagram. Reversing one line produces another hexagram; calculating that change and selecting a tradition of interpretation are separate operations.
For example, Qian has six yang lines. Its opening line concerns a hidden dragon, while its top line warns of excess. The familiar statement about heaven’s vigorous movement and continual self-cultivation belongs to the Image commentary. Presenting core text, commentaries and later readings together is useful when their labels and sources remain clear.
Read the judgment and lines before comparing commentaries and translations. Terms such as auspiciousness or freedom from blame are part of the historical text, not guarantees about a reader’s life. The 64-hexagram collection retains this site’s combined presentation. The I Ching and Mei Hua tools explain their respective casting procedures. This introductory revision does not alter the 64 articles.
Sources and editions
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