Introduction to the *Original Meaning of the I Ching*

Overview of "The Original Meaning of the Zhou Yi"

"Zhouyi Benyi," authored by Zhu Xi, a Neo-Confucian scholar of the Southern Song Dynasty, stands as the pinnacle of Song Dynasty I Ching scholarship. The work primarily focuses on philosophical interpretation while also incorporating divination symbolism, offering comprehensive and profound commentary on both the core texts and the commentaries of the I Ching.

Core Concept

Zhu Xi held that the I Ching was originally a book of divination, yet it contains profound and far-reaching principles. He advocated viewing the I Ching as fundamentally rooted in divination, arguing that one should approach its philosophical insights through the lens of divination to ultimately comprehend the underlying principles governing heaven, earth, and all things.

Academic Value

This book integrates Cheng Yi's philosophical interpretations in *Yichuan Yizhuan* with Shao Yong's numerological and symbolic studies, establishing a comprehensive system of I Ching scholarship that has profoundly influenced later research.