Exploring the Design Aesthetic Connotation of “Observing Objects and Taking Images” in Zhouyi

The Book of Changes (Zhouyi) embodies profound cultural wisdom. Its core creative principle, “Observing Objects and Deriving Symbols” (Guan Wu Qu Xiang), provides subsequent generations with invaluable artistic creation concepts and a unique aesthetic framework. Interpreting the Zhouyi from a design aesthetics perspective reveals its extensive content and welldeveloped system; its concepts concerning material creation encompass nearly all dimensions of traditional design aesthetics thought. This paper elucidates the concept of “Observing Objects and Deriving Symbols” and employs the “Li Hexagram” (Li Gua) from the Zhouyi as a specific case for definition and discussion. Through this exploration of its expressed aesthetic thought, the paper aims to uncover the design aesthetics philosophy within the Zhouyi and its profound influence on the cultural essence and stylistic characteristics of traditional Chinese material creation. It constitutes a significant theme within ancient Chinese design aesthetics.