I-ching - History

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History of I-ching

The history of I-ching is no less uncertain than that of other famous works of ancient culture such as the Bible, Vedas, etc. The oldest proofs of its existence can be traced as far back as Chou Dynasty when there already existed a book named Chou-I, that is the Changes of Chou.

Still, four illustrious public figures are generally considered to have contributed to this work - its appearance and form: Fu Hsi, King Wen, the Duke of Chou, and Confucius.

Fu Hsi

Fu Hsi

Fu Hsi, the Divine Ancestor, author of pa-kua (the eight trigrams)

Fu Hsi was the first of the legendary emperors of China who must have governed between 2852-2737 BC. He offered mankind many valuable inventions. According to the ancient Chinese tradition, he invented the eight trigrams - pa-kua - that represent the foundation of the I-ching system, and from which the hexagrams derived.

King Wen (Wen Wang)

The second important character in composing I-ching is King Wen. Known as a founder of Chou dynasty (1150-249 BCE) and a great scholar (his name also bears the significance of "civilization-king" or "scripture-king"), he is assigned the introduction of the 64 hexagrams, their names and the texts (Judgments) ascribed to them.

King Wen wrote compiled the new I-ching during his detention ordered by Hsin, the sovereign who was overthrown by King Wen's son Wu.

The name "I-ching" is contemporaneous with King Wen - the book couldn't bear this name before.

Tan or Duke of Chou

The texts of each individual line (composing the hexagrams) are the work of King Wen's son named Tan, known also as the Duke of Chou. These are short description of lines and their meaning for the divinatory use.

Confucius

Confucius

Confucius

Confucius and his disciples also contributed to the composition of I-ching.

Tradition states he had used up at least three book rolls during his thorough study. Moreover, at the age of 50, Confucius would have declared: "If Heaven gave me another 50 years to live, I would spend them studying I-ching and perhaps then I would beware myself of troubles."

The comments of the book, named "Ten Wings", are attributed to Confucius, or at least to his adherents.

It is important to emphasize that the shape the book took under the influence of the Confucianist editors is the one we have today.

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