Buckminster-Fuller thought the Yin-Yang symbol was conceptualised by the Chinese as a 3D structure. The two interlocking swirls are the same shape as the two 2D pieces that make a tennis ball. Bucky thought the Yin-Yang was visualised by the Chinese in the same way.
Why 3D ? Well, your brain is 3D. Language is stored as sets of nuerons so language is a 3D structure. Any symbolising or conceptulising involves the wiring together of 3D structures. Neuroscientists are looking, so far in vain, for 'the cortical code', the basic low-level language of the brain. The I Ching may be going some way towards that.
There are 8 trigrams. 8 is a cubic number, a 2 x 2 x 2 cube. 64 is also a cubic number, a 4 x 4 x 4 cube. In this way the I Ching could be seen as a simplified 'brain', representing the way the brain works before it is imprinted with culturally specific metaphors.
I'm not sure what this means. Perhaps someone else can take this further.
Notice:
I have taken it upon myself to finally create the long anticipated 'I Ching quote page" whereas our favorite book of changes quotes can be assembled, compared and of course thoroughly analyzed. I spent many a nights wondering "should I add it as a subpage to the 'original' I Ching thread or break new ground and try to generate interest (and activity) into our much neglected (by me) quotes section." The Debate Rages on, but for now me thinks we'll go with the latter, with a link to the main page. If you have any thoughts or comments about this issue or a burning desire to discuss the I Ching feel free to do so here
2008-05-29 —mim