The symbolism of yi (易) of the Yijing

Abstract

The famous Yijing, the most important metaphysical writing of ancient China, has been studied for centuries by both traditional Chinese metaphysicians of the past and modern Chinese and Western scholars. There have appeared many discussions around the word yi 易in philological studies. However, despite the Yijing being the representative of the symbolical metaphysics of the ancient Chinese, scholars either have not been concerned about the meanings of this word from a symbolistic point of view or have briefly and indifferently passed by it. Understanding the word yi is a key without which the treasure house of the Yijing will not be opened. Examining various dimensions of the character yi from a symbolistic viewpoint based on the traditional method of word-symbol-meaning (yan xiang yi), this paper explores the prime symbolical meaning of the Chinese character and discusses the relationship of the derived meanings with its symbolical aspects.