The Word ZHEN貞 in the “Book of Changes”: Deconstruction Approach

The article focuses mainly on linguistic aspects, paying special attention to meanings of the word ZHEN. The research is based on the text version and commentary by Wang Bi (226-249) from Wei Dynasty, classical Ten Wings (Shi yi ) commentaries from the 1^st mil. BC, works by scholars from Han, Tang, Song and Qing Dynasties (2^nd cent. BC until17^th. cent. AD), as well as translations by Western sinologists. In the first part of the article, the semantic approach is applied, in order to trace origins and existing definitions of the term ZHEN. In the second part, a creative deconstruction approach will be used to analyze the entire text, revealing atypical meanings within various schemes: 1) in the layer of hexagram succession chain and judgments, 2) in relationships of lines, 3) in problematic and inauspicious situations where the word is mentioned.