I Ching

• The ‘I Ching is also known as ‘The Book of Changes’ which forms part of the Chinese Classic Work, The Four Books and the Five Classics, compiled prior to 300 BCE.
• The Book of Changes is the oldest of the Chinese Classics, and was incorporated into the Five Classics during the second century BCE.

Divination

• The I Ching is a Book of Divination and acts like an Oracle to be consulted.
• It contains 64 Hexagrams which produce answers to the questions posed.
• Sticks are thrown to produce each Hexagram, in the same way that, in the West, animal bones were thrown and then consulted.
• The Hexagrams are presented in the order laid down by King Wen (c.1046-1043 BCE), first King of Zhou, known as the ‘King Wen Order’.

Method

• The person seeking a solution poses the question.
• 6 random numbers are then formed into a Hexagram.
• The Hexagram is then looked up in the Book of Changes.
• Each Hexagram contains words describing a quality, action or attitude of mind.
• These words represent the answer to the enquiry.