| Richard Wilhelm (1873-1930) was the
German scholar and linguist responsible for introducing the
great philosophical works of China to the west. Called the Marco
Polo of the inner world of China, he lived in China for over
twenty years, translating the I Ching and other significant
works from Chinese to German. An ordained protestant minister
and student of theology, Wilhelm worked closely with the Chinese
sage and scholar Lao Nai-hsuan, in the translation of the I
Ching, which took him ten years to complete.
This is Wilhelm 1923
translation, based on the edition arranged in the Kang Hsi
(1662-1722) Manchu period, under the title Chou I Cha Chung.
Wilhelm, as well as many scholars today, believe that this
version possessed the best form and commentaries of all time.
For more information on Richard Wilhelm
and his commentaries on the I Ching, please see our Resources
links.
The 8 Hexagrams
------
------ Ch'ien, The Creative Heaven, Sky
------
Attribute: Strength, creativity
Animal: horse
Body: head
Family: father
Direction: Northwest
-- --
-- -- Chen, The Arousing Thunder
------
Attribute: Movement, initiative, action
Animal: dragon
Body: foot
Family: eldest son
Direction: East
-- --
------ K'an, The Abysmal Water, moon, the deep
-- --
Attribute: Danger
Animal: pig
Body: ear
Family: second son
Direction: North
------
-- -- Ken, Keeping still Mountain
-- --
Attribute: Stillness, stopping
Animal: dog
Body: hand
Family: youngest son
Direction: Northeast
-- --
-- -- K'un, The Receptive Earth
-- --
Attribute: Docility, receptivity
Animal: ox
Body: belly
Family: mother
Direction: Southwest
------
-- -- Li, The Clinging Sun, fire
------
Attribute: Brightness
Animal: pheasant
Body: eye
Family: second daughter
Direction: South
------
------ Sun, The Gentle Wind, wood
-- --
Attribute: Penetration, following
Animal: fowl
Body: thigh
Family: eldest daughter
Direction: Southeast
-- --
------ Tui, The Joyous Lake, mist, marsh
------
Attribute: Pleasure, joy, attraction
Animal: sheep
Body: mouth
Family: youngest daughter
Direction: West
The Hexagram
Table |
