On ZHENG Xuan's Interpreting Yi by Rites

This paper explores the origin of ZHENG Xuan's(127-200A.D.)thought on the Yi.From the point of the Classic of Rites studies,the paper analyses his attempt to apply image-numerological hermeneutics to understanding ancient social systems by the Zhouyi.The author believes that though ZHENG opened a new approach to the Yi studies,his interpretation also manifests a tension to some extent between Rites studies and Yi studies on account of the fact that he only select certain items of Rites studies when interpreting the Zhouyi.Thus negative effect of this approach is above and beyond positive one,exposing a limitation of his interpreting the Yi by Rites.