《尚書.周書》「顧命」儀典中陳設於東西二序的八項寶器皆有所象,且彼此間存在一定的對稱關係及寓意呼應,遂使學人得以藉此窺究、判斷位列其中之「河圖」的面目。西序所設,重在突出君道傳承;東序所列,重在強調共主責任。東序兩組宗器中,「大玉、夷玉」乃就空間性象徵夷夏兼顧,而作為湯球、禹圖的「天球、河圖」則是從時間性象徵三代相繼。就「顧命」陳寶的語境而言,將東序河圖繫於禹績是較妥帖的;就「河圖」一稱的語義而言,將「河圖」之「圖」釋作地圖是較客觀的;就相關傳說的源流而言,將「原始河圖」繫於禹身是較邏輯的。據多方綜合佐證,「東序河圖」乃是傳為禹所受、關乎其平水土功業的地圖,當是後世「河圖」諸說中,相對最具合理性的。
All the eight precious wares displayed in the ritual of "Last Will" of Zhoushu bear resemblance to each other, with certain symmetrical relations and moral echoes, thus enabling scholars to investigate and judge the features of "He Tu" among the precious wares. In the list of Xi Xu, the emphasis is on highlighting the inheritance of monarchical principles; in the list of Dong Xu, the emphasis is on the responsibility of the suzerain . Among the two sets of sacrificial utensil displayed in Dong Xu, "Da Yu" and "Yi Yu" symbolize the inclusiveness of both Yi and Xia cultures in a spatial context, while "Tian He", which are "Tang Qiu" and "Yu Tu," are the temporal symbols of succession of Zhou's three generations. In the context of exhibiting precious wares of "Last Will," it is appropriate to associate Dong Xu "He Tu" with Emperor Yu's flood control achievements. Semantically, interpreting the "Tu" in "He Tu" as a map offers a more objective understanding. From the perspective of the origin of relevant legends, it is more logical to link the "original He Tu" with Emperor Yu. Based on comprehensive corroborative evidence, that Dong Xu "He Tu" was received by Yu and related to his flood management achievements stands as the most reasonale interpretation among various theories about "He Tu" in posterity.