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ISSN : 1229-9618(Print)
ISSN : 2671-7506(Online)
Chinese Studies Vol.92 pp.1-21
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.14378/KACS.2025.92.92.1

The Fool's Journey and the Transformation in the I Ching : A Comparative Analysis of Process Structures in the Tarot Major Arcana and the Sixty-Four Hexagrams

Xu Luxi
부산외국어대학교 조교수

Abstract

This study examines the Tarot Major Arcana and the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching from the perspective of “process structure,” analyzing their similarities and differences in symbolic systems and conceptions of life. The twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana, beginning with the Fool and pivoting around the Wheel of Fortune, portray an individual’s journey from external exploration to inner awakening. The I Ching, constructed upon the interplay of yin and yang, presents the cyclical patterns governing both cosmic operations and human transformation. This paper argues that key card pairings in the Tarot—such as the Magician and the High Priestess, and Judgment and the World—resonate symbolically with paired hexagrams in the I Ching, such as Qian–Kun, Bo–Fu, and Kan–Li. Although rooted in distinct cultural traditions, both systems employ imagery, structural arrangement, and numerical symbolism to articulate an understanding of fate, change, and the integration of life. Through comparative analysis, this study demonstrates that the Tarot and the I Ching share a core philosophy of unity through opposition and cyclical progression, reflecting a shared cultural psychology and philosophical inquiry in the face of uncertainty and transformation. By adopting a “structural rhythm” approach, the paper situates these two major divination systems within a unified conceptual framework, offering a new perspective for cross-cultural research on symbolism.

“愚者之旅”与“易”之变*1) ——塔罗大阿卡纳与《易经》六十四卦的过程比较研究

초록

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