II. How "Observing Images" Relates to Self-Cultivation

The Essence of the 'Great Treatise A': A Philosophical Inquiry into the Gentleman's Establishment of Life and the Order of the *Yi*

This article deeply interprets the core proposition from the 'Great Treatise A'—'That which the gentleman dwells in and finds peace is the order of the *Yi*.' It examines how the gentleman, by internalizing the Way of Heaven and Earth and utilizing the *Book of Changes* as the foundation for establishing his life, achieves a state of 'auspiciousness without detriment' through observing the images and contemplating the textual explanations, situated within the Pre-Qin context and the Confucian tradition.

Tianwen Editorial Team February 7, 2026 85 min read PDF Markdown

How does "observing Images" connect to self-cultivation$20

Let us look at the Xiang Zhuan (Commentary on the Image)—the part of the Zhou Yi dedicated to explaining the meaning of each hexagram from the perspective of its image. Almost every Great Image Judgment (Da Xiang Ci) in the Xiang Zhuan begins with the structure, "The Gentleman, therefore,..." or "The former Kings, therefore,..." directly linking the hexagram image to the Gentleman's conduct.

Consider a few examples:

Hexagram Qian (Heaven): "Heaven moves vigorously; the Gentleman, therefore, constantly strives for self-perfection." Since Heaven’s movement is vigorous and unceasing, the Gentleman observes this Image and imitates it, thus striving ceaselessly.
Hexagram Kun (Earth): "The disposition of Earth is receptive; the Gentleman, therefore, carries all things with broad Virtue." Since the disposition of Earth is broad and yielding, the Gentleman observes this Image and imitates it, thus carrying all things with profound Virtue.
Hexagram Meng (Obscurity): "Water springs forth under the mountain; Obscurity. The Gentleman, therefore, acts decisively and cultivates Virtue." When water springs from under the mountain, obscurity begins to lift. The Gentleman observes this Image and imitates it, thus acting decisively and nurturing Virtue.
Hexagram Xiao Chu (Small Accumulation): "Wind moves in the sky; Small Accumulation. The Gentleman, therefore, cultivates beautiful literary virtue." When wind moves across the sky, a small accumulation occurs. The Gentleman observes this Image and imitates it, thus perfecting literary virtue.
Hexagram Tai (Peace): "Heaven and Earth intermingle; Peace. The ruler, therefore, judges and completes the Way of Heaven and Earth, assisting the suitability between Heaven and Earth, to guide the people." When Heaven and Earth meet in harmony, the ruler observes this Image and imitates it, thus ordering the Way of Heaven and Earth and assisting their suitability to guide the people.
Hexagram Pi (Stagnation): "Heaven and Earth do not meet; Stagnation. The Gentleman, therefore, contracts his virtue to avoid danger, and should not seek rank and emolument." When Heaven and Earth fail to interact, stagnation occurs. The Gentleman observes this Image and understands this, thus he restrains his virtue to avoid peril and should not covet riches.
Hexagram Qian (Humility): "A mountain is within the earth; Humility. The Gentleman, therefore, lessens the abundance of the many and adds to the scarcity of the few, distributing things equally." When a mountain is within the earth (the high thing is below), it symbolizes humility. The Gentleman observes this Image and imitates it, thus reducing excess and increasing deficiency, distributing things equally.

These examples demonstrate that "observing Images" is not merely an academic exercise but a process of self-education aimed at moral refinement. Every hexagram image serves as a mirror, reflecting the Way of Heaven and Earth, and simultaneously revealing the standard of conduct the Gentleman should emulate.