A Tentative Analysis Of Wang Bi's View Of Yi And Xiang

Wang Bi has played an important role in the history of Yi studies.Through Zhou-yi-zhu and Zhou-yi-lue-li,Wang Bi systematically studied the structure of Gua and Yao,layout of the symbolic images of Gua and the Philosophical connotations in Zhou-yi.Then based on this,he proposed the new interpretation of Zhou-yi and criticized the theories of Xiang-shu in Han dynasty.He laid the theoretical basis for the development of his new Yi-li theories of Zhou-yi and became the creator of new Yi-li theories of Zhou-yi.This article will discuss Wang Bi's theories of Zhou-yi from the concept of Yi and Xiang.This paper consists of three chapters:In the first chapter,we discuss the Xiang in Wang Bi's theory of Zhou-yi.Wang Bi paid particular attention to Yi-li,but he didn't ignore the Xiang-shu.This chapter respectively analyze the layout of the symbolic images of Gua which Wang Bi commonly used from doctrine of Gua-zhu,doctrine of Yao-wei,doctrine of Guashi.Then we know that Wang-bi was not opposed to Xiang-shu,he just controlled the Xiang-shu in his mind strictly.In the second chapter,we analyze how Wang Bi catch Yi through Xiang.At first,we state the relationship between Yi and Xiang.It can be seen that Wang Bi affirm the effect of catching Yi through Yan and Xiang.Then we can see how Wang Bi express Yi-li in two paths,which is Xiang to Yi and Xiang follow Yi.In the end,Wang Bi combines Jing and Zhuan and explains the words of Gua and Yao according to Tuan and Xiang.When Wang Bi comments,he explains Xiang according Zhuan.In most times,Wang-bi confirms the purport of the Gua according to Tuan and explains the words of Yao according to Xiang.In the third chapter,we discuss the theory of Wang Bi's “catching Yi while forgetting Xiang ”.First,we discuss the implication of “catching Yi while forgetting Xiang ”.Then,we compare the layout in interpreting Yi between Wang Bi and the specialist in Zhou-yi of Han dynasty,so that we could know the differences between them under the theory of Wang Bi's “catching Yi while forgetting Xiang ”.Wang Bi's “catching Yi while forgetting Xiang ” is more of a new attitude and idea to explain Zhou-yi.He puts Yi-li in the first place,uses Xiang-shu as a tool but not uses much of it in methodolody.In most situations,Wang Bi uses his own methods to explain the symbolic images of Gua,and then follows the Yi-zhuan to explain the word of Gua and Yao.In general,the theory of Wang Bi in Zhou-yi had limitations,but he abandoned the tedious of Xiang-shu in Han Dnasty and focused on Yi-li in Zhou-yi which brought fresh air into the research of Zhou-yi.