A Detailed Inquiry into the Most Auspicious Hexagram Lines in the Zhou Yi: From 'Yuan Ji' to 'Ji Wu Buli'

Chapter 21: Further Discussion — The Inner Logic of "Yuan Ji" Yao Lyrics

Section 1: Philosophical Inquiry into the "Yuan" (元) of "Yuan Ji"

The character "Yuan" (元) in "Yuan Ji" (元吉) in the Zhouyi does not merely mean "great."

Mu Jiang's famous explanation in the Zuo Zhuan (Ninth Year of Duke Xiang) already provides a profound definition of "Yuan":

"Yuan is the beginning of the substance; embodying benevolence is sufficient to lead others." (元，体之长也。体仁足以长人。)

"Yuan" is the "beginning of the substance" (体之长)—the head of all goodness, the root of all virtues, the greatest manifestation of all goodness.

The Wenyan Zhuan interprets Qian's "Yuan Heng Li Zhen":

"Yuan is the beginning of goodness. Heng is the convergence of goodness. Li is the harmony of righteousness. Zhen is the support of affairs. The gentleman embodies benevolence sufficiently to lead others; convergence of goodness is sufficient to align with propriety; benefiting things is sufficient to harmonize righteousness; persistence is sufficient to support affairs. The gentleman practices these four virtues, therefore it is said: Qian, Yuan Heng Li Zhen." (元者，善之长也。亨者，嘉之会也。利者，义之和也。贞者，事之干也。君子体仁足以长人，嘉会足以合礼，利物足以和义，贞固足以干事。君子行此四德者，故曰：乾，元亨利贞。)

"Yuan is the beginning of goodness" (元者，善之长也)—"Yuan" is the leader of goodness, the root of goodness, the greatest manifestation of goodness.

Therefore, "Yuan Ji" is not just "great auspiciousness" but "auspiciousness arising from the root of goodness"—this auspiciousness is not accidental luck but the inevitable fruit naturally generated from the root of goodness.

This explains why "Yuan Ji" is so rare—because the "root of goodness" is an extremely difficult state to achieve. Most people can only achieve "one aspect of goodness" (goodness in a particular area); only a few can reach the "root of goodness" (the fundamental source of all goodness).

Section 2: The Inner Unity of "Yuan Ji" Yao Lyrics

If we examine all the yao lyrics that receive "Yuan Ji" together, we find a common inner logic:

They all embody a kind of "fundamental goodness"—not partial or temporary goodness, but fundamental and enduring goodness.

• Kun Six at the Fifth Place ("Yellow lower garments")—Centrality and humility; this is fundamental goodness in conduct.
• Tai Six at the Fifth Place ("Emperor Yi marries off his daughter")—The honored condescending to descend; this is fundamental goodness in governance.
• Fu Nine at the First Place ("Not returning far")—Correcting errors promptly; this is fundamental goodness in self-cultivation.
• Da Xu Six at the Fourth Place ("A young ox's yoke")—Preventing potential problems before they arise; this is fundamental goodness in managing affairs.
• Li Six at the Second Place ("Yellow adherence")—Adhering to the central Way; this is fundamental goodness in seeking the Dao.
• Sun Six at the Fifth Place ("Someone presents him with a tortoise...")—Diminishing oneself to gain benefit; this is fundamental goodness in interpersonal relations.
• Yi Nine at the Fifth Place ("Sincerity and a compassionate heart")—Sincerity bestowing benevolence; this is fundamental goodness in the Way of kingship.
• Jing Six at the Top Place ("The well collects; do not cover")—Utmost public-mindedness; this is fundamental goodness in serving the world.

Each "Yuan Ji" yao reveals the form of "fundamental goodness" in a particular domain. Together, they constitute the Zhouyi's complete picture of "utmost goodness."

Section 3: Relationship between "Yuan Ji" and the "Four Virtues"

The "Four Virtues" (四德)—Yuan, Heng, Li, Zhen—mentioned in the Wenyan Zhuan can be correlated with the "Yuan Ji" yao lyrics:

• Yuan (元)—Beginning of goodness: Kun Six at the Fifth Place ("Yellow lower garments," centrality and humility, the head of all goodness).
• Heng (亨)—Convergence of goodness: Tai Six at the Fifth Place ("Emperor Yi marries off his daughter," interaction between upper and lower, convergence of beauty).
• Li (利)—Harmony of righteousness: Yi Nine at the Fifth Place ("Sincerity and a compassionate heart," sincerity bestowing benevolence, harmony of righteousness).
• Zhen (贞)—Support of affairs: Fu Nine at the First Place ("Not returning far," prompt correction of errors, support for endeavors).

This correlation may not be absolute, but it reveals the intrinsic connection between the "Yuan Ji" yao lyrics and the "Four Virtues."