New Currents: I Ching in the Six Dynasties and Tang Dynasty

Following the Han Dynasty, the turbulent Six Dynasties period and the subsequent reunification and cultural flourishing under the Tang Dynasty brought new intellectual currents to bear on I Ching scholarship. While Confucianism remained significant, Daoist philosophy (particularly Xuanxue, or “Mysterious Learning”) and the increasing presence of Buddhism in China introduced fresh perspectives and interpretive methodologies.

This article will examine how these new influences reshaped the understanding of the I Ching, with a focus on key figures such as Wang Bi, whose commentary became highly influential, and how Daoist and burgeoning Buddhist ideas interacted with the classic text.