I Ching Methods and Meaning

What is I Ching? A collection of essays on 64 lineal figures named hexagrams (kua). Each figure is made of 6 lines, unbroken (____) or broken (__  __). The unbroken lines are Yang and the broken - Yin.

The list of 64 hexagrams is shown below:

Trigrams. Basically each hexagram is made of 2 trigrams (pa-kua), that is, lineal figures made of 3 lines. There are 8 trigrams and the Chinese tradition assumes that trigrams are invented by Fu Hsi the Chinese mythical emperor (see the I Ching history section for more information).

Here is the list of trigrams:

Now what about the 64 essays themselves? They are short description of particular situations and the corresponding indication of the action one should take in order to attain a good result. The following is an example of such a description:

In Phî there is the want of good understanding between the (different classes of) men, and its indication is unfavourable to the firm and correct course of the superior man. We see in it the great gone and the little come. (Hexagram 12, James Legge)

In short, each hexagram has a name, a Judgment (or sentence) and the six texts accompanying the changing lines. Learn more about each feature by clicking the links below:

• Hexagram names
   
• Judgments
   
• Lines texts

I Ching oracle. I Ching or the Book of Changes is made for divination procedure. One may used it as a tool of predicting future events. But in order to use it one must learn about the methods of inquiry. The following are the main two methods of consulting the I Ching oracle.

• The Stalks Method
   
• The Coins Method

Upon using one of these methods you obtain as response a hexagram with or without changing lines (see the lines section to learn more about changing lines). The next step is to try to understand the meaning of the hexagram and of the changing line(s) (if any). More about the meaning and interpretation may be found below:

• Hexagram Meaning
   
• The Interpretation
   
• I Ching Online
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Should you need to learn more about I Ching and its usage as oracle, you may take our beginners guide that teaches you everything you need to know in order to start your own divination experience.

More resources about the I Ching online may be found here - also several must-read books may be found here.