Throughout the entire “I Ching,” what is reflected in aesthetics is actually the image. As it is said, “Writing cannot fully express words, and words cannot fully express meaning; thus, the sage establishes images to fully express ideas.” I find this highly enlightening. In our daily lives, we share a common impression. For instance, when we write a monograph—say, a text of several hundred thousand words—the actual space it occupies in a Word document is quite small. Sometimes, a single image, especially one with high resolution, can even surpass the space occupied by an entire monograph. What does this indicate? It echoes what I just mentioned: writing cannot fully express words, and words cannot fully express meaning. So, how is the way of the sage transmitted? According to Confucius, the sage establishes images to fully express ideas. Looking at the entire “I Ching,” whether through divination, casting lots, or other methods, what ultimately manifests before us is the establishment of images. This shows that, whether in the early stages of writing—be it pictographs, ideographs, or images—the linear narrative conveyed through writing or speech occupies relatively little space. In contrast, images possess immense storage capacity, inclusivity, and depth. Many people create excellent works of art or calligraphy, yet they may not fully grasp what makes their work exceptional. Is this lack of clarity due to ignorance? No. It is because a wealth of information is embedded within the image. So, what aspect does Eastern aesthetics particularly emphasize? It emphasizes the beauty of imagery.
A truly objective physical image—whether it resembles the subject or not, with its outline and colors filled in—can only convey so much. However, imagery is different. What is imagery? I strongly oppose defining it directly from dictionaries or textbooks. How do we understand it? Quite simply, it is the image within the mind, the image in the heart. The interpretation of such imagery allows for infinite possibilities. This is why many classic works can endure endless reading, interpretation, and deep exploration. Even the authors or artists themselves may not have fully realized their intended meaning during creation. Yet, this does not hinder our understanding as readers, viewers, or interpreters. Therefore, the hermeneutics I now highly regard is phenomenological hermeneutics. Why? Because hermeneutics can enhance the value of a text, specifically its aesthetic value. The beauty of something does not diminish simply because more people share and appreciate it. On the contrary, it enriches and elevates the original aesthetic value. This, I believe, is a crucial point.
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