I Ching - The Translation
The translation on this site uses the first part of Richard Wilhelm's text, taking a number of existing on-line versions as its basis.
Wilhelm compiles and divides his translation of the I Ching into three books, of which Book One is presented here.
Book One is divided into sixty-four chapters, with each chapter focusing on one of the hexagrams of the I Ching.
Each chapter is expanded into sections, which are comprised of the hexagram's original text, together with interpretations and synopses of some of the essential surviving commentaries on the I Ching. This structure takes the following form -
- The number and name of the hexagram
- The sign for the hexagram, together with the names of its constituent trigrams and their associations
- Wilhelm's introduction to the hexagram
- The Judgement - a summary of the general situation associated with the hexagram, together with its effects and implications.
- The Image - a closer look at the essential meaning of the situation, generally in terms of the structure of the hexagram's constituent trigrams.
- The Lines - a consideration of each of the individual lines of the hexagram. We are shown how the situation contains the seeds of change, either
-
- through the influence of time, or
- by emphasis on the different aspects of its nature.
The choice of Richard Wilhelm's translation for this site is purely personal. I don't distinguish between translations on any basis other than a personal preference.
Having said that, comparing translations can prove a rewarding experience, not least by helping to illuminate passages which prove elusive or difficult to understand.
Ch'ien
Chên
K'an
Kên
K'un
Sun
Li
Tui