The Original I Ching - by Margaret J Pearson (Paperback)

About the Book

The Original I Ching offers a more authentic and accurate translation of the ancient Chinese Book of Changes, correcting gender biases introduced by later Confucian commentators in a patriarchal society. Based on recent archaeological discoveries of oracle bones, this version restores the text's original meaning when women were equal in status to men. It includes references to other well-known translations, various methods for casting and interpreting the I Ching, and a full Chinese text. The paperback edition also features a new foreword by John S. Major and an expanded appendix to assist beginners in making the most of their readings.

Book Synopsis

A groundbreaking new translation of the Book of Changes--the world's earliest-known divination system!

"... an important book, not only because it is the first interpretation, ever, by a woman in a wholly male-dominated field, but because of its freshness and directness...A delight." --Richard Burns, poet

"Having this ancient text restored to its original form is something very valuable indeed." -- New Age Retailer

The Original I Ching presents a far more accurate and authentic version of the ancient Chinese Book of Changes, removing gender biases added by later Confucian commentators who operated in a heavily patriarchal society. This translation is based on recent archeological findings of tens of thousands of oracle bones dating back to when the text was first developed, when women were equal in status to men. It is the first English translation to present the original meaning of the text.

Each entry is followed by page numbers referencing other well-known translations by Lynn, Shaughnessy and Wilhelm/Baynes to allow readers to do their own comparative readings. Various methods of casting and reading are provided, along with assistance in interpreting the advice received. The full Chinese text is included along with a list of recommended readings and a finding chart.

This new paperback edition includes a new foreword by John S. Major, professor emeritus at Dartmouth College, who explains the social context of the I Ching divination system in ancient China as well as how it is used by practitioners today. A new expanded appendix helps novices make the most of their readings.

Review Quotes

"[Margaret] uses her background knowledge of ancient Chinese life and thought to provide a context that makes things more accessible. [...] in a plain, direct style that encourages you simply to contemplate the natural imagery--the scenery of the trigrams (had you thought of 26 as 'the skies that lie among mountain peaks'?) and also the imagery of the original." --OnlineClarity.com blog

"A delightful and scholarly translation of what may be the oldest self-help book [...] Pithy, wise, and ever sensitive to context, the Book of Changes, in Pearson's translation, provides a new lens through which we can see the freshness of old things." --Terri Apter, Newnham College, Cambridge University; author of The Sister Knot

"Her interpretation and translation is unique, not only in the sense that she has made a meaningful separation of the original text from the commentaries...but also in the sense that she approaches the text with an ungendered and holistic perspective." --Xinzhong Yao, Director, King's China Institute, King's College London

"Margaret Pearson's I CHING is an important book, not only because it is the first interpretation, ever, by a woman in a wholly male-dominated field, but because of its freshness and directness. While being rooted in the most recent scholarly discoveries and research, it achieves the nearly impossible, simply by being real, relevant, and readable. Obscurity, pomposity and ponderousness are thrown out of the window. A delight." --Richard Burns, poet

"Pearson's comments have a welcome directness to them. This would be an excellent edition to use as an introduction to the Yijing in a Chinese literature or history class." --Taijiquan Journal

"Pearson's mission was to restore the text to its original form. Simultaneously, she kept an eye on the clarity of the text, concerned that it be comprehensible to non-scholars. Whether customers use the book for consultation, meditation, or scholarly research, having this ancient text restored to its original form is something very valuable indeed." --New Age Retailer

"The Book of Changes has been translated into English a number of times, but Margaret Pearson's new translation stands out for its fidelity to the oldest and deepest layer of the text, cutting through centuries of later commentary. Her lucid explanations of the hexagram texts will be of great service to those who seek to use this ancient compendium of wisdom as a guide to introspection and self-cultivation in our own time." --John S. Major, independent scholar, former professor of East Asian history at Dartmouth College, and translator of The Huainanzi

"Tuttle's The Original I Ching: An Authentic Translation of the Book of Changes is a new translation by Skidmore College scholar Margaret J. Pearson based on new archaeological and textual evidence from the original Zhou text. Pearson's work helps identify the role of women in early Chinese history." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Dr. Margaret J. Pearson studied Chinese literature with Hellmut Wilhelm, and history with Jack Dull and Chan Hok-la. She has taught Chinese history and thought for over forty years at Skidmore College, the New School for Social Research, Pace University, State University of New York (Albany) and Marymount Manhattan College. She has been elected to life membership at Clare Hall, Cambridge University and to membership in the Early China Seminar at Columbia University.

Dr. John S. Major, formerly professor of Asian studies at Dartmouth College, is an independent scholar based in New York City. He has published extensively in the field of early Chinese intellectual history, including a translation of the Huainanzi.