『주역』 몽괘(蒙卦)의 상징과 교육적 의미

Abstract

The main concern of this paper is to interpret Book of Changes(周易) in educational context and explore the origin of confucian educational thought and the spirit of traditional education. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to discover the basic character of the confucian educational thought through the symbol of Meng Hexagram(蒙卦) which is the 4th Hexagram out of 64 Hexagrams in Book of Changes. Meng(蒙) which explains each Lines(爻) in Meng Hexagram has various meanings. First of all, each Lines as its place in Meng Hexagram represents the role of teachers: Second Lines(九二; Nine in the second place) as Exercising forbearance with the ignorant(包蒙) and sixth Lines(上九; Nine at the top) as Smiting the ignorant(擊蒙). Next, 1st Lines(初六; Six at the beginning), 3rd Lines(六三; Six in the third place), 4th Lines(六四; Six in the fourth place) and 5th Lines(六五; Six in the fifth place) which consist of Yin-Lines(陰爻) represent the students. These Lines are represented as Dispelling of the ignorance(發蒙), Annoyance of the ignorance(昏蒙), Bound in chains of ignorance(困蒙), and the Simple lad without experience(童蒙) followed by its place. Meng Hexagram is the symbol of teaching and learning. It suggests a broad understanding of educational thought in traditional societies about the attitude of teachers and students and the way of teaching depends on disposition and environment.