I Ching (Yìjīng) - 易經 - Basics

The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is one of the oldest and most influential texts in Chinese history. Revered as both a divination manual and a philosophical guide, it has shaped Confucian, Daoist, and later Western thought for millennia. This post will introduce you to its history, structure, and the two most common methods of casting—coin divination and the yarrow-stalk method—and show you how to begin your own readings. At the end, you’ll find links to our native I Ching apps on Android and Apple.

1. Historical Overview

• Origins
  The core of the I Ching dates back to the late Shang (c. 1200 BCE) and early Zhou (c. 1000 BCE) dynasties. Early rulers used simple markings on oracle bones and turtle shells to seek guidance.

• King Wen & the Duke of Zhou
  Around 1000 BCE, King Wen of Zhou is credited with arranging the 64 hexagrams and offering initial commentary. His son, the Duke of Zhou, expanded upon these notes.

• The “Ten Wings”
  Over centuries, Confucius (551–479 BCE) and his followers added philosophical appendices (the “Ten Wings”), transforming the work into both a manual of divination and a treatise on cosmology, ethics, and governance.

2. Structure of the Text

1. Hexagrams

   • There are 64 hexagrams, each a stack of six lines (爻 yáo), either broken (––) or solid (—).
   • Each hexagram represents a particular archetypal situation or process.

2. Judgment (彖 tuàn)

   • A short commentary summarizing the hexagram’s overall meaning.

3. Image (象 xiàng)

   • A natural metaphor (e.g., thunder, water, mountain) that illustrates the hexagram’s dynamic.

4. Line Texts (六爻 liù yáo)

   • Six individual statements for each line, indicating subtle shifts when that line changes.

5. Changing Lines

   • When casting, certain lines may be designated as “moving.” These lines transform (broken → solid or solid → broken), yielding a second hexagram and deepening the reading.

3. The Eight Trigrams (八卦 Bā Gua)

Trigram	Name	Symbolism
☰ Qían	Heaven	Creative, strong
☱ Duì	Lake	Joyful, open
☲ Lí	Fire	Clinging, illuminating
☳ Zhèn	Thunder	Arousing, movement
☴ Xùn	Wind/Wood	Gentle, penetrating
☵ Kǎn	Water	Abysmal, flowing
☶ Gèn	Mountain	Stillness, resting
☷ Kūn	Earth	Receptive, nurturing

Every hexagram is a combination of two trigrams—one as the lower (inner) trigram and one as the upper (outer) trigram—yielding 8 × 8 = 64 possibilities.

4. Methods of Casting

4.1 Coin Method (Three-Coin)

1. What You Need
   – Three identical coins
   – A pen and paper (or your favorite app)

2. Assign Values
   – Heads (Yang): 3 points
   – Tails (Yin): 2 points

3. Casting One Line

   1. Shake the three coins in your hands.
   2. Toss them onto a flat surface.
   3. Add up the points:
      • 6 (three tails): old yin (–– → moving)
      • 7 (two tails + one head): young yang (—)
      • 8 (two heads + one tail): young yin (––)
      • 9 (three heads): old yang (— → moving)

4. Building the Hexagram
   – Repeat six times, recording lines from bottom to top.
   – Circle any “old” lines (6 or 9) to mark them as moving.

5. Result
   – Primary hexagram: the pattern of solid/broken lines.
   – Secondary (transformed) hexagram: flip any moving lines and re-read.

4.2 Yarrow-Stalk Method (Traditional)

1. What You Need
   – 50 dried yarrow stalks (ceremonial practice uses 49)

2. Basic Procedure (Simplified)

   1. Separate one stalk and set it aside.
   2. Randomly divide the remaining stalks into two bundles.
   3. Take one stalk from the right bundle and place it between the little finger and ring finger of your left hand.
   4. Count the left bundle by fours until 0–4 stalks remain; place remainder between ring and middle finger.
   5. Count the right bundle by fours until 0–4 remain; place remainder between middle and index finger.
   6. Count the three piles between fingers by fours; record the remainder.
   7. Gather all stalks, repeat three times to yield one line.

3. Interpreting Totals
   – Totals of 6, 7, 8, 9 correspond to old yin, young yang, young yin, and old yang respectively—same as coins, but probabilities differ.

4. Why Yarrow?
   – Offers a deeper ritual connection.
   – The slower, tactile process can help focus intention.

5. Interpreting Your Reading

1. Consult the Judgment
   – Read the hexagram’s Judgment to understand its central advice.

2. Reflect on the Image
   – Consider the natural metaphor and how it mirrors your situation.

3. Examine Moving Lines
   – Read each circled line’s text. These are your dynamic insights—what is in flux.

4. Secondary Hexagram
   – If you have moving lines, study the transformed hexagram for outcomes or next steps.

5. Journal & Meditate
   – Record your question, hexagrams, and reflections. Return later to see how events unfold.

6. Tips for Beginners

• Clear Intent
  Formulate a concise, open-ended question—avoid yes/no traps.

• Consistent Practice
  Commit to a regular time (e.g., before meditation or journaling).

• Combine with Meditation
  Sit quietly, breathe deeply, and center your mind before casting.

• Use an App for Reference
  Especially when starting out, digital apps can provide instant hexagram lookup, commentary, and cross-references.

• Respect the Process
  Whether coins or yarrow, the act of casting is itself a ritual—a chance to slow down and connect with intuition.

7. Further Resources

• Classic Translations

  • Richard Wilhelm (with commentary by C. G. Jung)
  • James Legge

• Modern Guides

  • Thomas Cleary: The Taoist I Ching
  • R. L. Wing: The I Ching Workbook

• Online Communities

  • r/iching on Reddit
  • I Ching discussion groups on Zhihu and other platforms

8. Try Our Apps

Experience streamlined casting, in-app commentary, private history, and multilingual support. Download today:

• iOS (App Store):

• Android (Google Play):