Interpreting and Investigating the Chapter: 'The Sage Perceived the Profundities of the World' — The Primordial Code of *Xiang* and *Yao*
This paper deeply investigates the core proposition, 'The Sage perceived the profundity (Ze) of the world,' within the *Xi Ci Zhuan* (Commentary on the Appended Judgments) of the *Zhou Yi*, analyzing the original Pre-Qin semantics of 'Ze,' 'Xiang' (Image), and 'Yao' (Line). It focuses on explaining the cognitive leap of the Sage through 'looking up and observing down,' transforming deep textures (Ze) into external simulations (Xiang), and reveals the intrinsic connection between the 'Yao' and ancient ritual systems, thereby reconstructing the foundation of Yi learning theory.
III. Why is Jiàn Used for Both Zé and Dòng$18
It is noteworthy that the scripture uses the character jiàn ("perceive") when addressing both zé and dòng: "The Sage yǒu yǐ jiàn the profundities of the world," and "The Sage yǒu yǐ jiàn the movements of the world." The use of jiàn is identical.
This indicates that, in the view of the Xici Zhuan's author, grasping both the deep structure of the world (zé) and the process of change in the world (dòng) requires the same cognitive capacity—direct intuition. The Sage does not conclude that "the world is moving" through logical inference, but rather "perceives" this fact through direct observation.
However, the subsequent handling differs. For the zé, the Sage's method is "simulating according to their outward forms, depicting what is appropriate for the things"—taking the image (qǔ xiàng). For the dòng, the Sage's method is "observing their convergence and connection, thereby enacting the rites and regulations, attaching statements to them to determine auspiciousness and inauspiciousness"—this is a far more complex process.