Undeniably Eurocentric and missionary-biased, these interpretations—or misinterpretations—may have deviated from traditional Chinese readings of the classic. However, from the perspective of hermeneutics, they exhibit the inevitable “prejudices” that presuppose total understanding on the part of the readers, as well as the multiplicity of any interpretative acts, particularly for religious classics imbued with rich symbolism. Furthermore, these pioneering attempts at introducing the Chinese classic to the English-speaking world demonstrate trends in European sinology and rise of comparative religious study during the late nineteenth century.

The project makes scholarly contributions in three major ways. Firstly, it will substantiate knowledge of nineteenth-century European sinology, particularly regarding missionary translations and scholarship of the Yijing. Secondly, a comparative textual study of different interpretations will unveil the complexity and diversity of transmitting a religious classic to foreign cultural contexts. Finally, the project enables us to perceive the nature of cross-cultural communication, offering new insights for the prospects of inter-religious dialogue in our contemporary world.