주희 황극(皇極) 해석의 하락학(河洛學)적 특징 − 황극 개념 해석의 역사적 변천을 중심으로 −

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine Zhu Xi(朱熹)’s interpretation of Supremacy Polarity (皇極) as presented in works such as Huangjibian (皇極辨), highlighting how it is grounded in elements of He-luo Studies (河洛學) within classical scholarship. This approach reveals features that distinguish Zhu Xi's interpretation from the traditional Han and Tang dynasty interpretations. The Song dynasty was a period of revival for the study of the Great Plan (洪範). Scholars of the time actively sought to reinterpret the Great Plan. Their interpretations of the Great Plan and its Nine Divisions generally opposed the Han-era cosmological theories of “disasters and omens” (災異說). Instead, they emphasized a separation between Heaven (天) and humanity (人), focusing on the political actions of the ruler. By placing greater emphasis on humanity within the Heaven-human relationship, these scholars interpreted every item in the Nine Divisions as a reflection of the ruler’s actions. In contrast, some scholars acknowledged the relationship between Heaven and humanity while also focusing on the ruler’s actions. Zhu Xi and Zeng Gong (曾鞏) are representative of this group. They accepted the theory of Heaven's Bestowal (天授) and viewed the ruler as the operative agent of the Nine Divisions. However, they interpreted certain processes, such as the Examination of Doubts by Prognostication (稽疑), as involving Various Verifications in Divination (庶徵). Thus, they understood the Nine Divisions as central to the Heaven-human relationship. Zhu Xi’s interpretation of Supremacy Polarity is rooted in this diversity of Great Plan interpretations during the Song dynasty. Zhu Xi;s new interpretation of Supremacy Polarity is based on elements of He-luo Studies within classical scholarship. In Han and Tang dynasty interpretations, the Supremacy Polarity was understood as one of the processes within the Nine Divisions and was interpreted as “Great Moderation” (大中). Zhu Xi, however, opposed this view and reinterpreted the Supremacy Polarity as a “standard” (標準). He emphasized the relationship between the Generative Number (生數) and the Achieving Number (成數), as well as the numerical arrangement and symbolism of He-luo Studies. He argued that Supremacy Polarity is not only central but also unique and fundamental, akin to the Supreme Ultimate (太極). Furthermore, he asserted that the Supremacy Polarity serves as the operative agent for the entire Nine Divisions. Zhu Xi’s reinterpretation of the Supremacy Polarity, grounded in He-luo Studies, was subsequently adopted by later scholars, especially in Cai Chen(蔡沈)’s Shujizhuan (書集傳), which was incorporated as one of the Five Classics Commentaries (五經大全) during the Ming dynasty, thus becoming the mainstream interpretation.