Oriental Health Aesthetics: The Time of Professor Qiu Zhenglun’s Explanation of the Book of Changes(65）

The Tuanzhuan (Commentary on the Judgment) of the Ge(Revolution) hexagram states, “When Heaven and Earth undergo revolution, the four seasons are brought to completion.” After Pangu separated Heaven and Earth, the cosmos underwent tremendous, earth-shaking transformations. It was through this that the principle of ‘origination, development, advantage, and perseverance’ (Yuan Heng Li Zhen) came into being.

In the Tuanzhuan of the Guimei (Returning Maiden) hexagram, it says, “When Heaven and Earth do not commune, the myriad things do not flourish.” This aligns with the meaning of the Xian (Influence/Perception) hexagram. The Tuanzhuan of the Jie (Limitation/Moderation) hexagram also discusses this: “When Heaven and Earth observe moderation, the four seasons are brought to completion.” Here, Jie (节) refers to the solar terms (Jieqi). The four seasons are governed by these solar terms, the twenty-four periods of the year. Festivals like Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping), Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, New Year’s Day, and Spring Festival all evolved from these traditional Chinese solar terms. Jie fundamentally means segmentation or division. However, within the Jie hexagram, it carries the additional meaning of restraint or moderation.

After sharing these points, I’ll focus on elaborating specific aspects. This reveals the fundamental beauty of perpetual generation within the I Ching. For example, let’s consider just two phrases.

Take the Tai (Peace) hexagram. What is its meaning? “When Heaven and Earth commune, the myriad things are in communication and flourish.” You see? Frankly speaking, love is the Tai hexagram; love is the Xian hexagram. It is through this communion – Heaven representing the masculine, Earth the feminine – that all things come into being. The ascending vital force (Yang Qi) and the descending receptive force (Yin Qi) interact. These two forces, one Yin and one Yang, constitute the Dao (the Way). This Dao is the Way of Life. Therefore, we say that human interaction has value; it allows us to find that feeling of profound spiritual resonance, a connection that feels long-awaited. See how students interact? Through the I Ching, your writing ushers in a new reality of Tai harmony. This is the most important thing.

This interaction is between people. Some interactions are false, but true interaction involves the communion of thoughts, the communion of emotions, the communion of lives.

Therefore, you see, whenever it’s the Year of the Goat (Sheep/Ram) (Yang year, as Yang 羊 sounds like Yang 阳 meaning ‘positive/sun’), we look to what? “Three Yangs Ushering in Peace” (San Yang Kai Tai) refers precisely to the Tai hexagram.