The I Ching, also known as the Book of Changes (Yijing), is an ancient Chinese text used for divination, philosophy, and moral guidance. It combines a practical method of divination with a rich system of symbols and cosmology. What it is
- A classic text from early China, traditionally considered one of the Five Classics of Confucianism. It originated as a divination manual in the Western Zhou period and evolved into a broader philosophical work over time.
- The core of the text centers on 64 hexagrams, each formed by two trigrams, which are used to interpret questions or situations. The hexagrams are arranged in a traditional sequence known as the King Wen order.
How it’s used
- Divination: Traditionally, users consult the I Ching by performing a ritual to generate a hexagram (often using yarrow stalks or coins) and then reading the associated commentary to glean guidance. Each hexagram has an interpretation describing change, balance, and potential outcomes.
- Philosophy and ethics: Beyond divination, the I Ching has been read as a cosmological and ethical text, linking concepts like yin and yang, change, and balance to personal conduct and governance. Commentaries from later scholars (the “Ten Wings”) expand on these themes.
- Cross-cultural influence: The work has influenced East Asian thought for centuries and has also impacted Western philosophy and literature, especially since the 18th–20th centuries.
Key concepts
- Hexagrams: 64 symbolic figures formed by six stacked lines that are either broken (yin) or solid (yang). Each hexagram’s lines can be interpreted to reflect changing conditions and guidance for action.
- Yin and Yang: The dynamic interplay of complementary forces; the I Ching uses these to explain how change occurs and how one might respond to it.
- Change and guidance: The central idea is that change is a fundamental aspect of reality, and examining a situation through the I Ching’s symbols can illuminate decisions and moral paths.
If you’d like, I can tailor a beginner-friendly overview, explain a single hexagram in detail, or walk through a simple, traditional method for generating a hexagram and interpreting its meaning.
