Exploring the Most Auspicious Yao among the 384 Lines of the Zhouyi: From 'Yuanji' to 'Ji Wu Bu Li'
This article delves into the system of auspiciousness and misfortune within the 384 line statements of the Zhouyi, focusing on the deeper meaning of 'ji' (auspiciousness), and through a thorough survey and comparison of 'yuanji' (supremely auspicious) and other high-grade auspicious judgments, seeks to identify the most auspicious line in the Zhouyi and reveal the philosophical wisdom and practical guidance it embodies.
General Preface
The Zhouyi (Zhou Changes) comprises sixty-four hexagrams, each with six lines, totaling 384 lines. If we add the "Yong Jiu" (Use of Nines) of Qian and the "Yong Liu" (Use of Sixes) of Kun, there are 386 line statements in all. These 384 lines each bear a different statement: auspicious or inauspicious, regretful or stingy, varied and diverse. Some are greatly auspicious, some greatly inauspicious; some carry no blame, some warn of danger; some speak of regret, some of parsimony, some of success, some of benefit. So numerous are the words, so profound their meanings, that even after a thousand years they still dazzle and bewilder.
Yet if we were to put it in a single question: among the 384 lines, which is the most auspicious$2
This question appears simple, but is in truth immensely profound. For the single character ji (auspicious) within the system of the Zhouyi is far more than what modern people understand as mere "good luck." Ji means good, fine, fitting, and beneficial -- its richness of content and complexity of layers must be considered from multiple dimensions including the hexagram body, line position, line nature, the significance of timing, and moral conduct before one can grasp its true meaning.
This article proceeds from both archaic and pre-Qin perspectives, extensively citing the original text of the Zhouyi, the Yizhuan (Ten Wings: the Tuan, Xiang, Wenyan, Xici, Shuogua, Xugua, and Zagua), as well as actual divination cases recorded in the Zuozhuan and Guoyu, along with related discussions by pre-Qin thinkers, to conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation of this question. We shall ask: What is ji$3 How many grades of ji are there$4 What is the distribution of auspiciousness and inauspiciousness across the 384 lines$5 Which line statements qualify as "greatly auspicious"$6 Why are they judged so$7 And ultimately, which line may be honored as "the most auspicious among all 384"$8
The answer may not be singular, but the very process of inquiry is itself a profound return to the spirit of the Zhouyi.