Zhou Yi, or Book of Changes, is an ancient divination book. It contains Sixty-Four Hexagrams, or the symbolic signs, and the judgments of the hexagrams and lines, through which various scenarios and changes in the universe and human world are represented. It aims to guide one's actions at present and in the future so as to avoid impending trouble and seek good luck. Nowadays, it can still be regarded as a book of prediction and conduct of life. The core concept in the Book of Changes is "change". It is the "change" that enables us to locate the right position, maintain the central balance, guard the upright character, strive for harmony, be flexible and adaptable, and act with time. In adversity, we are able to walk out of trouble and eventually achieve success; in prosperity, we know how to avoid taking a bad turn and move forward successfully so as to secure an invincible status. The seasoned wisdom of traditional Chinese culture is embodied in the Book of Changes, and we are able to change our fate and enjoy a wonderful life as long as we immerse ourselves into the study of the book and apply the ideas in real life. The original Chinese texts in this present selected collection are based on the version of Zhou Yi Zhengyi compiled in Shisan Jing Zhushu by Ruan Yuan in Qing Dynasty. The commentator provides the textual interpretations in plain words for 100 entries. It is our hope that, through our efforts, the essential thoughts in the Book of Changes can be comprehensively accessible, and the core values in this book can be more inspirational for readers of our generation.
About the Author: Ms SHEN Fei graduated from the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation of Beijing Foreign Studies University with her M.A. degree in foreign linguistics& applied linguistics. She obtained her professional title of Professor of Translation in 2016. Ms SHEN has translated seven books, which have been published by Guangxi Normal University Press. They are Teves Speaks II, Translation of Selected Sayings from the Analects, Standards for Being a Good Student and Child, Familial Precepts of Master Zhu, Three Character Classic, The Art of War and Selections from the Classic of Poetry. Ms SHEN is a supervisor of postgraduates pursuing the degree of Master of Translation and Interpretation (MTI) of Hainan University, Guangxi University, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi University for Nationalities and Guilin University of Electronic Technology. Siyuan Wu, Ph.D., completed his doctoral degree at Arizona State University and currently serves as an assistant professor of East Asian Studies and Chinese literature at Western Washington University. His research interests include, but not limited to the following areas: Dramatic and performing literature of the late imperial period; vernacular short stories of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing; book history and print culture of the Ming and Qing; Chinese woodblock illustration, textual and visual culture in late imperial China. He translated a number of books relevant to Chinese classics, including Xunzi (Selections), Higher Education and The Universal Order (Selections), Book of Rituals (Selections), etc. He is not working on a project about Ku Hung-ming(1856-1927)'s intellectual contribution to Chinese academia.