I Ching

I Ching Online Tools

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What is the I Ching?

The I Ching, also known as the Book of Changes (Zhou Yi), is a treasure of Chinese civilization, revered as the "King of Classics" and "Source of the Great Way." Originating in ancient times, it evolved through Fuxi's creation of trigrams, King Wen's development of the Changes, Duke of Zhou's line texts, and Confucius's Ten Wings, forming a complete and profound philosophical system. Based on yin-yang dualism, the I Ching reveals the fundamental patterns of universal change through its system of eight trigrams and sixty-four hexagrams.

The I Ching is not merely a divination text, but an encyclopedia encompassing philosophy, ethics, politics, military strategy, and more. It emphasizes dialectical thinking of "adapting to change" and teaches people to follow nature, seize opportunities, and avoid misfortune. Over three millennia of transmission, the I Ching has profoundly influenced Chinese and East Asian thought systems, becoming a cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture.

History and Heritage of the I Ching

The formation of the I Ching underwent a long historical process. Legend has it that in ancient times, Fuxi observed the heavens above and examined the earth below, creating the eight trigrams symbol system. During the Shang-Zhou transition, when King Wen was imprisoned at Youli, he paired the eight trigrams to create the sixty-four hexagrams and wrote the hexagram texts. His son, Duke of Zhou, further refined the work by writing line texts for each line.

During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius studied the I Ching deeply and wrote ten commentaries including the Tuan Commentary, Image Commentary, and Appended Phrases, collectively called the Ten Wings. This elevated the I Ching from a simple divination book to a philosophical classic. After the Han dynasty, the I Ching was listed as the first of the Confucian classics. Throughout the ages, scholars have continuously annotated and studied it, forming different schools such as the义理 (principle) and 象数 (image-number) schools, making I Ching studies a profound field of knowledge.

The Sixty-Four Hexagrams System

The sixty-four hexagrams are the core content of the I Ching, formed by pairing the eight trigrams. Each hexagram consists of six lines, with each line being either yin or yang. Yang lines are represented by solid lines (⚊), and yin lines by broken lines (⚋). The sixty-four hexagrams encompass 64 basic states and patterns of change for all things in heaven and earth. From Qian hexagram (☰☰) representing the strength of "heaven" to Kun hexagram (☷☷) representing the gentleness of "earth," each hexagram has unique symbolic meaning.

The sixty-four hexagrams are not isolated; complex relationships exist between them. For example, opposite hexagrams (all yin-yang reversed), inverse hexagrams (upside down), and nuclear hexagrams (formed by the middle four lines) help us understand the essence and changes of things from different perspectives. Each hexagram comes with hexagram texts, tuan commentary, image commentary, and line texts, providing rich interpretive dimensions and serving as important bases for divination and decision-making.

Browse the Sixty-Four Hexagrams

I Ching Divination Methods

I Ching divination is the ancient practice of obtaining hexagrams through specific methods to predict fortune and guide decisions. Traditional divination methods mainly include two types: yarrow stalk method and coin method. The yarrow stalk method is the oldest and most formal, using 50 yarrow stalks through a complex process of "dividing into two, hanging one, counting by four, and returning odd," requiring 18 repetitions to produce a complete hexagram. Though rigorous, it is time-consuming.

The coin method, also called the three-coin method, is the most commonly used folk divination method. Three coins are tossed simultaneously, and the combination of heads and tails determines each line's yin-yang and movement: three heads equal old yang (changing line), three tails equal old yin (changing line), two heads and one tail equal young yin, and two tails and one head equal young yang. Six tosses produce the six lines from bottom to top, forming the hexagram. Our tool uses an online simulation of the three-coin method, allowing you to practice I Ching divination anytime, anywhere.

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Wisdom and Applications of the I Ching

The wisdom contained in the I Ching transcends time and space, still holding important guidance for modern life. Its core concepts include: change (all things change, change is eternal), constancy (unchanging patterns within change), and simplicity (the great way is simple, complexity arises from simplicity). These ideas teach us to view the world dynamically, seize opportunities in change, and find turning points in difficulties.

In modern society, I Ching wisdom is widely applied in decision-making management, psychological counseling, corporate strategy, and other fields. Its emphasis on "time" (timing), "position" (placement), and "center" (balanced moderation) provides a unique framework for complex decisions. The I Ching is not fatalism, but teaches us to recognize patterns, follow trends, and act positively, achieving the life state of "heaven helps those who help themselves, bringing only good fortune."

Why Choose Our I Ching Tool

We are committed to perfectly combining traditional I Ching wisdom with modern technology, providing you with the most professional and convenient platform for I Ching learning and application.

Traditional Theory, Precise Calculation

Strictly following traditional I Ching theory and algorithms, ensuring accuracy in hexagram calculation and correlations, providing you with reliable divination results.

Interactive Experience, Easy to Learn

Click to change hexagrams, view related hexagrams in real-time, intuitively showing hexagram change patterns, making I Ching learning simple and fun.

Rich Content, Detailed Interpretation

Providing complete hexagram texts, line texts, tuan commentary, image commentary, and modern translations, helping you deeply understand hexagram meanings and accurately grasp divination guidance.

Multi-language Support, Globally Available

Supporting Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and English, making it convenient for Chinese people and I Ching enthusiasts worldwide.