Abstract:

The section of 'The Linear Image' has been long neglected in the study of the Book of Changes. A textual analysis with a corpus-based perspective of it shows that the section is a rich embodiment of traditional Chinese culture. Its part of repetition and ellipsis is a rare phenomenon in our ancient literature and can be regarded as a window for studies of the ancient Chinese language. More importantly, its thinking mode of word-image-meaning is quite different from Greek syllogism. Moreover, every linear image judgment of 386 lines is firmly detached to each line. Such a detailed, clear and rational thinking mode rightly demonstrates that it is part of traditional Chinese thinking mode with a characteristic of dynamic combination of whole, part and their particulars.

Key words: The Linear Image, repetition/ellipsis, deduction/judgment, word-image-meaning, syllogism