Hermann Hesse's Das Glasperlenspiel and I Ching

Abstract Hermann Hesse's Das Glasperlenspiel prominently incorporates I Ching ( Yi Jing ) divination. While traditional Chinese interpretations of the I Ching have largely emphasized its ethical and philosophical dimensions, and European receptions have explored its natural‐philosophical and theological aspects, Hesse's novel notably re‐centers its divinatory function. His engagement with the I Ching was heavily influenced by his compatriot Richard Wilhelm's translation and the School of Wisdom which included figures such as C. G. Jung and H. G. Keyserling. In Das Glasperlenspiel , the I Ching is reimagined as a living artistic force—a source of inspiration, a catalyst for the protagonist's spiritual growth, and a pivotal thematic element. Through this integration, Hesse advocates a return to divine principles as a counterbalance to the dominance of technical and scientific rationalism and as a safeguard against moral decline.