Current versions of the Yunjing date to AD 1161 and 1203 editions published by Zhang Linzhi (張麟之).

Some of its elements, such as certain choices in its ordering, reflect features particular to the Tang dynasty, but no conclusive proof of an actual date of composition has yet been found.

The Yunjing's use of this system represents a significant advancement in the Chinese' analysis of their own language, and is believed to have been inspired by their studies of Sanskrit phonological treatises and Buddhist mantras written in the Siddham script during the Sui and Tang dynasties.

Characters' placement in the first through fourth grade seems to be related to their medial (glide) and main vowel, though their exact distinction is unclear.

Other rhyme tables, such as the Qieyun zhizhangtu (Chinese: 切韻指掌圖), do not combine the initials and have 36 full columns.