Among the works of Chinese literature, the Book of Changes, known as the Yijing, holds an extraordinarily high position. Early on, it was seen as the source of all literature and education. Its influence was not limited to a specific philosophical school; it has significantly shaped the entire history of Chinese thought. Although it is part of the Confucian canon, it was also included in Daoist collections of texts and has furthermore influenced Buddhist teachings. The core of the work consists of a collection of oracle sayings, arranged around 64 symbols (hexagrams), each made up of six lines. Each of the symbols and each of the lines is associated with an oracle saying, which is then elaborately commented upon. The sayings date back to the period from the 10th to the 8th century BC, while the commentaries originate from the 4th to the 2nd century BC.