Between Emulation and Resemblance: A Fundamental Inquiry into the Microcosm of the Dao of Change
This article deeply analyzes the core proposition of 'Yáo imitating Xiàng' found in the *Xici Zhuan II* of the *Zhou Yi*, distinguishing the dynamic differences between 'imitation' (xiào) and 'analogy' (xiàng), tracing the referent of 'this' (cǐ), and interpreting how Yáo-Xiàng constitutes the epistemological framework for revealing the subtle workings of the Dao within the Pre-Qin context.
I. Re-examining the Logical Structure of the Entire Passage
Now let us step back and examine the four layered progressions of this passage from an overall perspective:
| Layer | Original Text | Key Term | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Layer | 爻也者，效此者也。 | Xiào (Emulate) | Essence of Yao—Dynamic Emulation |
| Second Layer | 象也者，像此者也。 | Xiàng (Resemble) | Essence of Xiang—Pattern Presentation |
| Third Layer | 爻象动乎内，吉凶见乎外。 | Nèi/Wài (Inside/Outside) | Operational Mechanism—Subtle-Manifest Transformation |
| Fourth Layer | 功业见乎变，圣人之情见乎辞。 | Biàn/Cí (Change/Words) | Practical Significance—World Governance and Manifestation of Sentiment |
These four steps move from the microcosm to the macrocosm, from ontology to practice, from the Dao of Heaven to human affairs, constituting a complete cognitive ladder:
Step One: Understand the essence of the Yao—it is the emulation of the movement of Heaven and Earth.Step Two: Understand the essence of the Xiang—it is the resemblance to the form of Heaven and Earth.Step Three: Understand the operation of Yao and Xiang—internal change generates external revelation of fortune and misfortune.Step Four: Understand the ultimate destination of the Dao of Change—achievements are realized through change, and the sage's sentiment is revealed through the words.
These four steps can also be understood as four introductory levels for comprehending the Zhou Yi:
Beginners first learn the "Yao"—understanding the basic meaning and rules of Yin and Yang lines. Then they learn the "Xiang"—understanding the symbolic system of the eight trigrams and sixty-four hexagrams. Next, they learn the "Principle of Inside and Outside"—understanding the correspondence between the hexagram image and reality. Finally, they grasp "Change and Words"—comprehending the sage's wisdom for adapting to times and savoring the deep care contained within the words.