Oriental Health Aesthetics: The Time of Professor Qiu Zhenglun’s Explanation of the Book of Changes(103）

Look, when we observe the way of heaven and earth in their entirety, the transformations of the universe are vast and profound—so awe-inspiring that they could move heaven and earth and make gods and ghosts weep. This is an aspect we won’t delve too deeply into here. Within the beauty of imagery, there is also the aesthetic influence of “establishing form to fully convey meaning” and the artistic conception. For instance, the blending of the northern style and artistic imagery is ubiquitous in China, especially in Tang poetry and Song lyrics. When Chinese people speak, they use imagery—their world is one of imagery. Take Ma Zhiyuan’s “Sky-Clear Sand,” for example:

“Withered vines, old trees, twilight crows;

Small bridge, flowing water, people’s homes;

Ancient road, west wind, lean horse;

Evening sun westward goes;

Heartbroken one at sky’s end roams.”

Every line is a layering of imagery. If you translate this into a foreign language, like English or any phonetic script, its beauty vanishes. The poem then becomes a mere cognitive exercise and loses its meaning.

Now, transitioning from imagery to artistic conception: “In heaven, it forms images; on earth, it takes shape”—only then can a realm be born. This is my understanding. Look at the term 境界 (jingjie, realm): both characters individually mean “boundary,” but when combined, they transcend boundaries, embodying infinite possibilities. The highest realm in the Book of Changes is to “align virtue with heaven and earth, match brightness with the sun and moon, and harmonize order with the four seasons.” I originally intended to skip this part, but it speaks to the cultural beauty of the Book of Changes.

If you internalize this—apply it to your inner world, your mental space, your consciousness, your emotional realm, your creative expression—I believe a entirely new world will emerge. And what counts as imagery? It’s everywhere. All the hexagram statements, each one, is presented through imagery. Take random examples: “Flying dragon in the heavens,” “Dragon appearing in the field,” “Hidden dragon, do not act,” “Arrogant dragon will have cause to repent,” “Leaping or abiding in the deep,” “Vigilant all day long”—all are expressions of imagery.