I Ching Dictionary

Author: Zhang Shanwen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-06-01
Features:
1. This dictionary contains 4,608 entries, including seven categories: basic knowledge of the I Ching, I Ching schools and examples, key phrases from the I Ching classics, derivative uses of I Ching terms, famous I Ching scholars, important I Ching works, and miscellaneous categories.
2. The index of entries is arranged by the number of strokes in the first character of each entry.
3. For polysemous terms, explanations are provided in separate sections marked with ①, ②, ③, ④, etc., but only limited to those related to the I Ching classics and I Ching studies.
4. The "Key Phrases from the I Ching Classics" category includes hexagram names, line names, titles of the "Ten Wings," and important phrases from the classics, forming the core of the dictionary.
5. Posthumous phrases derived from the I Ching and used as idioms in Chinese language and literature are occasionally selected and briefly explained under the "Derivative Uses of I Ching Terms" category to illustrate the influence of the I Ching on Chinese language and literature.
6. The "Famous I Ching Scholars" category generally uses the scholars' given names as the main entries, with variant names or sobriquets for important figures listed as cross-references.
7. The "Important I Ching Works" category primarily includes extant I Ching-related works from various dynasties.
8. The "Miscellaneous Categories" include entries on the relationship between I Ching studies and other disciplines, as well as content that does not fit into the first six categories.
9. Historical dates in the ancient Chinese history section are generally presented in traditional Chinese chronology with corresponding Gregorian dates in parentheses; modern and contemporary history is primarily presented in Gregorian dates.
10. The I Ching, as a book, is rooted in "images and numbers," and the essence of images and numbers lies in revealing "meaning and principle."
11. Explanations for major entries are supplemented with relevant materials to substantiate the claims and provide readers with resources for further study.
12. The dictionary includes twenty-nine important I Ching diagrams and tables at the beginning, each accompanied by a brief description related to the entries in the main text. At the end, there are a "Classification Index of Entries" and a "Pinyin Index of Entries" to facilitate readers' reference and study.
13. This dictionary is a specialized reference work with a broad coverage of content.