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Synopsis
The Image of the Cosmos in the I Ching: the Yi-globe

At present, the Google finds hundreds of titles with the phrase 'the arrangement of the hexagrams' or 'the
sequence of the hexagrams' in them. A considerable part of these articles deals with the traditional (King Wen's)
sequence, trying to give an explanation on the apparently arbitrary succession of the hexagram pairs in it. There
are still quite a few scholarly articles in journals and even books dealing with this subject as well. Up to now,
however, none of these theories has been generally accepted.
In this study, a spherical arrangement (the Yi-globe) is demonstrated as the supposedly original structure of the
sixty-four hexagrams. It is a well-organized system built up according to definite rules, and having easily
recognizable meanings.
The novelties of this theory are enumerated here. By them, the existence of this arrangement in the past can be
considered highly probable and acknowledged as reality.
The premises of the reasoning
are based on the words of the Yijing (the Great Treatise) itself.
The course of the reconstruction
- has been based on the Taoist principle of balance and harmony,
- and followed the paths of changes between the hexagrams;
thus, it might had been natural and easily understandable for the Chinese people in antiquity.
The final form
is a spherical structure, the image of the universe.
The contents of the Yi-globe
verify the outer symbolism because
- the hexagrams are arranged in it according to the laws of nature, i.e. the laws of space and time,
- other traditional symbols are represented inside,
- the positions of the cardinal hexagrams in the globe correspond to their meanings in the Yijing.
Analogous forms
can be found in other traditions,
e.g. in the Hinduism (mandalas, yantras) and in the Kabbalah (Sepher Yetzirath, Tree of Life).
Last but not least,
the King Wen's sequence can be derived from the Yi-globe.

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