I ChingThe I Ching or " Yì Jīng " is also known as the Classic of Changes, Book of Changes and Zhou Yi. It is also called Zhou Yi reputedly because it is not until the Western Zhou Dynasty that the whole context of I Ching was understood.
It is an ancient Chinese manual of divination based on 64 hexagrams, and is believed to be the world's oldest oracle. It is a popular and revered book of Chinese wisdom based on the accumulated experience of over 2,500 years of practitioners and sages. In Chinese, Yi means change, an eternal truth to describe the world's phenomena. Jing means the way or classic. So, I Ching is a classic text to explain inexhaustible changes. King Wen's composition and commentary, I Ching was expanded from the range of divination to science. King Wen was the first king of the Zhou Dynasty. During the Han Dynasty, I Ching inspired Taoism to create many theories of regimen which were derived from the Yin Yang theory, The Five Elements, and Ba Gua. It was first introduced to the western world by a missionary during the Ming Dynasty, and explained by a German mathematician using the binary code. I Ching affected Confucianism very much, and it was the foundation of Taoism. Other derivations included Tai Chi Quan, and Feng Shui. Originally, there were two versions, one based on the ancient text ( 古文經 ), and another based on the 今文經. Using the ancient version became the accepted norm among scholars during the Tang Dynasty. |
Alternative Explanations - Origin of The World
According to a description in I-Ching about how the world began:
The infinite produces limit, and this is the supreme ultimate (Tai Chi or the absolute);
The Tai Chi produces two forms, Yin and Yang;
The two forms produce the four phenomena, Shao Yin, Tai Yin ( the Moon ), Shao Yang, Tai Yang ( the Sun );
The four phenomena act on the eight trigrams ( ba gua ) namely, Heaven, Earth, Mountain, Water, Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lake/Marsh.
According to another description:
When the world began, there were Heaven and Earth. They interacted to give rise to every thing in the world. Heaven is called the Qian trigram ( Qian Gua ), while the earth is Kun trigram ( Kun Gua ). The remaining trigrams are Dui, Li, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Gen respectively representing Marsh or Lake, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Water and Mountain.
Zhen is thunder, dragon, greenish yellow, progress, a highway, elder son, vigorous decision, bright green bamboo, grasses, sedges and rushes.
Among horses, it represents one that neighs well, one with white hind hoof, one that runs with two feet in synchronized action simultaneously, one with a white-starred forehead. As for agriculture, it represents what disappears from the surface waiting to be reborn with vigour. It is most luxuriant and beautiful. |
Xun is wood, wind, elder daughter, a rope hanging down, a carpenter’s set square, being white in colour, being long in shape, being tall in build, being progressing and receding, being indecisive, or being unpleasant odor.
As for human being, it represents hair deficiency, broad forehead, or non-proportionally large white part of eyes. It indicates outrageous 300% profit because it is a trigram of impatience. |
Kan is water, a trench (for irrigation), to hide and ambush, interchanging between straight and crooked, a bow or a wheel.
As for human being, it represents increasing worries, distrust due to suspicion, or pain in the ears. It is the trigram of blood and whatever red. For a horse, it is one with an elegant spine, one with high spirit, one frequently drooping its head, one with thin hoof, or one dragging its feet. In terms of wagons, it is one encountering risky situations. It represents smoothness with no obstruction, the moon, a thief (active in the dark). As for wood, it is hard and firm to the core. |
MethodologiesTortoise shell was used for divining during the Shang Dynasty ( 1766 - 1122BC ), but the procedures were rather complicated. In its place, the 50 Yarrow Stalks were introduced and widely used during the Zhou Dynasty (1122 - 221 BC ). The 3-coin method came about during the Southern Sung Dynasty, and has caught on with the masses.
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3-Coin MethodThe 3-Coin Method was introduced by Jing Fang ( 78 - 37 BC ) a little over a thousand years after the Yarrow Stalks Method. It is the quickest, easiest, and most popular by far. The 3 coins represent Heaven, Earth and Human. Any 3 coins of the same design could be used to derive the hexagrams for divination.
A hexagram, also known as a messenger kua is a figure composed of six stacked horizontal lines, where each line is either Yang ( an unbroken or single line ), or Yin ( broken or a line with a gap in the centre ). In perspective, the hexagrams are actually formed by combining 2 of the basic 8 trigrams in different combinations. The Yin and Yang lines of the 8 main Hexagrams ( with the Inner and Outer Trigrams ) are: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ☰ ☱ ☲ ☳ ☴ ☵ ☶ ☷ ☰ ☱ ☲ ☳ ☴ ☵ ☶ ☷ The lines are drawn from the bottom up, so the lowest line is considered line 1 while the top line is line 6. Each hexagram is accompanied with a description. Each line in every hexagram is also given a similar description. Shake the coins briefly in your hand, and toss them 6 times to derive 6 horizontal lines, starting with the first line as the base of the hexagram; while focusing on the question, dilemma or situation that you have in mind. To determine whether a single straight line ( Yang ) or broken line ( Yin ) is to be determined from each of the 3-coin throws, values are assigned to both sides of the coins. For instance, head equals 3 and tail 2, or vice versa. The total value of each throw is then added to determine the Yang line ( odd number ) or Yin line ( even number ) is to be drawn. When the throws result in an ' All Heads ' or ' All Tails ' outcome, the line is regarded as a 'Changing Line ' . This line is deemed to change from Yang to Yin or vice versa, and the resulting hexagram, also known as the future hexagram from the changeover has to be determined and interpreted in conjunction with the original hexagram, also known as the present hexagram. If there are no changing lines in your hexagram, it means conditions related to your topic are not in flux that much at this time. |
There are 4 possibilities for each throw:
Next, look up which hexagram number coincides with the 6 lines in the grid given in the I Ching book for interpretation. |
Alternative Interpretation Methodology ( Subject to further verification )
Divination is not interpreted on the basis of the classic I Ching text. Instead, this method connects each of the six hexagram lines to one of the 12 Earthly Branches of the Chinese zodiac animals and the 6 Stars of the the animals. The readings are then analyzed with the use of the 5 Elements ( Wu Xing ) of the branch of the relevant lunar month and day, thus bridging the I Ching and the Four Pillars of Destiny. This method not only tries to determine what will happen, but also when it will happen. The 12 Chinese zodiac animals are Mouse (1), Ox or Water Buffalo (2), Tiger (3), Rabbit (4), Dragon (5), Snake (6), Horse (7), Goat (8), Monkey (9), Chicken (10), Dog (11), and Pig (12). Animals with odd numbers are Yang, and those with even numbers are Yin.
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Hexagram 14
--- Career/Job Fire (Snake) /YIELDING - - Parent Earth (Goat) --- Brother/Sister Metal (Chicken) --- Parent Earth (Dog) / SELF --- Wife/Money Wood (Tiger) --- Children/Luck Water (Mouse) Hexagram 14 is another special form of Jing Fang Study. After created Soul Liberation then created Soul Recovery to finish House 1. Soul Recovery, which means that keeping part of ☲ the New Soul and changing the three lines of the Inner Trigram ☷ back to ☰. The third line considered last changed; hence, the SELF imbedded on third line. Now ☰ comeback into play; thus whenever this Hexagram come to play, most of the times, it has something to do with going somewhere and coming back, or the question is about going out of the country is hard to go, most of the time will stay put. Followed the rule of changing from Chamber 1 above, and the examples of the other 7 Chambers, we should be able to have 64 Hexagrams. The same Hexagram for a different day could have an opposite answer; let alone for a different month. An average practitioner can get 60-70% of the predictions correct, but a master of 3-Coin School of Study can get 80-95% correct for all answers, including the month that the event will happen. However, to predict the day and hour of the happening may be only 60-70% correct. |
Ku Kua SectorCompass orientation: 213.75 to 219.375 degree.
It causes a person to lose balance of mind and emotion. His state of mind becomes weak and illusive - giving rise to nervous disorders. He has difficulty in exercising his initiative, and putting forth his ideas. He tends to be negative in his interpretation and perception of any situation. As such, he tends to be indifferent to others' love, protection, etc. Pessimistic. Overall, he tends to be rebellious, and less efficient in his approach to things. Elderly persons suffer pain in their bones and chest, and their mobility would be adversely affected. Cures include displaying a duck sculture on the table, and hanging a painting of a bird on a tree branch on the wall in the path of the path of the magnetism. |
Ti-Shui-Shih Kua SectorCompass orientation: 264.315 to 270 degree.
This kua uplifts an affected person's mind, and course of thinking. He exhibits great wisdom in differentiating right and wrong. Tasks are done properly and legally. Ability to cope with major difficulties, and gain a higher rate of achievement and success in career. The person tends to hold a different opinion or suggest a more effective method to his senior. Great confidence in handling his seniors with his holistic approach to matters, and is tolerant of his subordinates. |
Feng-Shang-Jian KuaCompass orientation: 292.5 to 298.125 degree.
it causes a person to react swiftly to external stimuli to discipline himself, and to act positively in facing new challenges in his daily life. Outstanding performance in his career. |
Kun KuaCompass orientation: 354.375 to 0 degree.
This kua needs to be well-matched with the following kua:
It causes a person to strive for progress, and enhances his best ability to revive hopes from a hopeless situation. It is used in Feng Shui design to cope with shifting events, and by sticking to a fundamental principle of humility to conduct oneself properly in life. It enables businessmen ( those not in agriculture ) to harmonise nicely with the climatic, geographical and human factors. Greater success if complemented with industrious efforts. |
Feng-Lei-I KuaCompass orientation: 16.875 to 22.5 degree.
It enhances one's philosophy to sacrifice oneself for others. if the main entrance is in a position to receive the effects of this kua, then there is mutual respect between the senior and junior members in the family. For those involved in politics, charities or charities; this kua enhances their abilities to command respect and support from members. Place an aquarium in the direction of the main door to boost the wealth of the family. |
Hua-Tien-Ta-Yu KuaCompass orientation: 163.125 to 168.75 degree.
This Kua facilitates creating ' something out of nothing '. It enhances a person's ingenuity and skill in responding to external stimuli in his daily life. It influences one's fearlessness and determination to cope with difficulties. do align the main entrance to receive its effect for prosperity. The person must make every effort to overcome all difficulties to achieve success. This is because the opposite of this kua is Tien-Huo-Tung-Jen Kua which causes a person to feel lonely. Involvement in love triangle is likely, and must be handled with great care. |