On the morning of July 2, 2025, at the invitation of Professor Shi Yong, Director of FEDS, Professor Di Sun from California State University visited the Center and delivered a special report entitled "Analyzing the Mathematical Structure and Sequencing of the I Ching through the Hexagram Magic Square".
Professor Sun pointed out that the hexagram system, which took shape in the Shang Dynasty and became prevalent in the Zhou Dynasty, is not merely a philosophical symbol system but embodies rigorous mathematical logic. The "Sixty-Four Hexagrams Circular and Square Diagram" created by Shao Yong in the Northern Song Dynasty systematically revealed the quantitative conversion relationship between hexagrams for the first time. This discovery inspired Leibniz to explore and develop the binary algorithm six hundred years later, making it one of the earliest cases of mathematical dialogue between Chinese and Western civilizations.
Centered on the generation of the Hexagram Magic Square, the report demonstrated through examples how to convert hexagrams into mathematical models. For instance, in the 8th-order Hexagram Magic Square, the combination of hexagrams in each row, column, and diagonal not only conforms to the principle of Yin-Yang balance in traditional I Ching studies but also the corresponding numerical arrangement meets the mathematical rules of a magic square. Professor Sun also presented the construction algorithms for odd-order, doubly even-order, and singly even-order magic squares, such as the application of the "Siamese Method", as well as the integration of the theory of the five elements' mutual generation and restriction with the cyclic pattern of magic squares. This proves that the mathematical structure of the I Ching can be extended to the construction of any odd-order numerical magic square, demonstrating the forward-looking insights of ancient wisdom in addressing modern mathematical problems.
