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

III. Why Specifically Mention "The Divinations of the Lines" (Yao Zhi Ci)$31

This sentence states, "That wherein he delights and contemplates is the Divinations of the Lines," specifically mentioning the Yao Ci rather than the Hexagram Judgments (Gua Ci) or generally referring to "the Words of the Yi."

First, we must understand the difference between the Hexagram Judgment and the Line Judgment.

The Hexagram Judgment (also called the Judgment of the Tuan) is a general assessment of the entire hexagram. For example:

• Hexagram Qian (Heaven): "Great success, penetrating usefulness, perseverance, correctness."
• Hexagram Kun (Earth): "Great success, beneficial is perseverance with the nurturing mare. If the Gentleman has a direction to go, there is first delusion, then finding a guide. Beneficial. Gaining friends in the Southwest, losing friends in the Northeast. Persevering in correctness brings fortune."
• Hexagram Tun (Sprouting): "Great success, penetrating usefulness, perseverance, correctness. Do not undertake anything in the beginning; beneficial to establish regional lords."

The Line Judgment (Yao Ci) offers a specific assessment for each of the six lines within a hexagram. Each hexagram has six lines, each with its own judgment. For example, the six judgments for Qian:

• Initial Nine: "Hidden dragon; do not act."
• Second Nine: "Dragon seen on the field; it is beneficial to see the Great Man."
• Third Nine: "The Gentleman strives constantly throughout the day; in the evening he is fearful as if in peril; no blame."
• Fourth Nine: "Perhaps he leaps in the abyss; no blame."
• Fifth Nine: "Flying dragon in the sky; it is beneficial to see the Great Man."
• Upper Nine: "Arrogant dragon suffers regret."

Why is it the Line Judgments that one "delights and contemplates," rather than the Hexagram Judgments$32

(I) Line Judgments are More Concrete, Detailed, and Vivid

Hexagram Judgments are generally summary and abstract, whereas Line Judgments are more concrete, detailed, and vivid. Line Judgments describe specific situations, particular people, concrete actions, and specific outcomes. For instance, the six judgments of Qian depict the entire process of a dragon (symbolizing the Gentleman or Sage) moving from concealment to manifestation, to high flight, and finally to arrogance—a beautiful representation of both imagery and profound principle.

The Gentleman "delights and contemplates" them because the richness and vividness of the Line Judgments offer endless space for refinement and reflection.

(II) Line Judgments are the Concrete Manifestation of Change

The Xì Cí Xia Zhuàn states:

"The Lines (Yao) are those which model the movement of all things under Heaven."

The original meaning of Yao is "model" or "emulate." What the Line Judgments emulate is the movement and transformation of all things under Heaven. Each line is located in a specific position (initial, second, third, fourth, fifth, upper), possesses a specific nature (Yin or Yang), and stands in a specific relationship (to other lines through correspondence, proximity, following, or overlaying). Thus, the judgment of each line is a precise description of a specific situation.

By "contemplating" (Wan) the Line Judgments, the Gentleman is actually savoring the movement and transformation of all things under Heaven—a process of learning and comprehension that never runs dry.

(III) Correspondence between Line Judgments and Personal Circumstances

Hexagram Judgments describe the overall situation, while Line Judgments describe the individual's specific circumstance within that situation. Therefore, Line Judgments offer more direct and concrete guidance to the individual.

For example, a person in a low position should pay more attention to the judgments of the first and second lines; a person in a high position should focus on the fifth and upper lines. People in different positions gain different enlightenment from different Line Judgments.

The Zuo Zhuan, 2nd Year of Duke Zhao (昭公二年) records an excellent example. When Han Xuanzi visited Lu and saw the Yi Images and the Spring and Autumn Annals, he declared: "The Rites of Zhou are entirely in Lu! Only now do I understand the Virtue of the Duke of Zhou and why Zhou ruled." Although this refers to the Yi Images rather than the Line Judgments, it illustrates that Pre-Qin nobility certainly regarded the Yi as an important object of study.

Furthermore, the Zuo Zhuan, 1st Year of Duke Min (闵公元年) records:

"Initially, Bi Wan sought office in Jin and obtained Tún (屯) changing to Bǐ (比). Xin Liao interpreted it, saying: 'Auspicious. Tún consolidates, and Bǐ enters; what auspiciousness is greater$33 It will surely flourish.'"

Here, Xin Liao interpreted the result based on the hexagram change (Tún changing to Bǐ) and cited the content of the Line Judgments to deduce auspiciousness. This is a practical application of the Line Judgments, which integrates both the Image (hexagram image, hexagram change) and the Word (content of the judgment).