The I Ching is one of the oldest Chinese texts used for divination. It began as a simple divination guide during the Western Zhou period. It is also known as the Book of Changes. Over time, during the Warring States and early imperial periods (500–200 BC), it evolved into a philosophical work with cosmological ideas and included additional commentaries called the Ten Wings.
By the 2nd century BC, it became one of China’s Five Classics, deeply influencing divination practices across East Asia and sparking much scholarly analysis. Between the 18th and 20th centuries, it also shaped Western interpretations of East Asian philosophy.
One turns back and submits to fate, changes one’s attitude, and finds peace in perseverance.
Hellmut Wilhelm
At the heart of the I Ching lies an ancient Western Zhou divination text, the Changes of Zhou. Scholars today estimate that the text reached a form close to what we have now sometime between the 10th and 4th centuries BC. After comparing its language with dated bronze inscriptions, American sinologist Edward Shaughnessy places this final compilation around the late 9th century BC, during King Xuan of Zhou’s early reign.
A copy from the Shanghai Museum’s collection of bamboo and wooden slips, discovered in 1994, shows that by 300 BC, people at all levels of Chinese society used the Zhou Yi widely, though small variations still existed up until the Warring States period. Other divination systems likely existed then; the Rites of Zhou mention two others, the Lianshan and the Guicang. More: Understanding Chiron retrograde: Healing through the signs
Key points about the origins and meaning
Meaning of “Zhou Yi”
- Zhou Yi means “Changes of the Zhou Dynasty.” The “changes” refer to shifts in hexagrams (six-line figures used in divination), lines, or numbers used for predictions.
- Some theories link “changes” to cycles like day and night or transitions like the sun coming out from behind clouds.
- coming out from behind clouds.
Legends of creation
- Traditionally, figures like King Wen of Zhou, the Duke of Zhou, and the legendary ruler Fuxi are credited with creating the Zhou Yi.
- According to the Great Commentary, Fuxi developed the eight trigrams by observing natural patterns, aiming to understand life and categorize things.
The trigrams and hexagrams
- The Zhou Yi does not explicitly explain its origins but is thought to have developed from eight primary trigrams.
- By the 2nd century AD, scholars believed the work was a collaboration between Fuxi, King Wen, the Duke of Zhou, and Confucius. However, modern scholars generally reject this idea.
Alternative tradition
- Another tradition claims that Tang of Shang, a legendary figure, wrote significant parts of the I Ching.
The I Ching: Ancient divination for modern insights
The I Ching, or Book of Changes, has guided people in seeking divine insight for over two thousand years. Originating in the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC), it used a divination method called cleromancy, where seemingly random numbers revealed spiritual guidance. Ancient practitioners generated these numbers by using bundles of yarrow stalks, forming hexagrams (six-line symbols) composed of solid and broken lines. Each line had a numeric value (6, 7, 8, or 9), and together they helped answer questions on topics like fate, fortune, and personal decisions. More: What is stellium? How it affect your zodiac sign?
Over time, scholars developed ways to interpret the I Ching through descriptions found in texts like the Great Commentary. Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi’s version of the yarrow stalk method, as well as a simpler coin-based method that emerged in the Tang dynasty, are still used today. These approaches allowed for quicker, flexible hexagram readings, which could be applied to everything from daily life to philosophical discussions.
Ancient records, such as the Zuo Zhuan, provide examples of divination by royal soothsayers who used the hexagrams alone to guide decision-making, without extra commentary. By 300 BC, references to the I Ching appeared outside strict divination, becoming part of philosophical and cultural discourse. Today, people continue to use methods like yarrow stalks, coins, and even cards, drawing on the I Ching for both spiritual insight and personal reflection. More: North node Scorpio, what you want and what you should avoid
I Ching reading: A beginner’s guide
The I Ching, or Book of Changes, uses ancient Chinese wisdom to give insight into life’s situations and options. Here’s a simple overview of how to read it:
Casting and building a hexagram
- Begin by casting coins or using yarrow stalks to create a hexagram, a series of six lines.
- Lines can be Yin (passive/feminine) or Yang (active/masculine), and each line has its meaning in the reading.
- There are 64 possible hexagrams, and each hexagram can split into two trigrams, or groups of three lines, adding depth to the interpretation.
Changing lines
- Some lines in the hexagram are “old” or “changing.” That means they may shift from Yin to Yang (or vice versa), allowing you to create a second hexagram to see future changes.
- Lines are numbered from bottom (1) to top (6), with black lines indicating unchanging lines and gray lines showing changing lines.
Interpreting the hexagram
- Each line of the hexagram represents a specific individual’s action or outcome. It offers a full picture of your current situation and choices.
- The I Ching helps you understand your options and the roles people play in your life. This differs from other divination tools that focus on circumstances alone.
- Keeping in mind that this text is rooted in ancient Chinese culture can make unusual expressions easier to interpret.
Love and relationships
The I Ching presents love and relationships through the lens of Yin (feminine) and Yang (masculine). It views them as complementary forces that must remain in balance for harmony to exist. In I Ching’s philosophy, Yin embodies qualities like receptivity, nurturing, and adaptability, while Yang represents assertiveness, action, and structure. In love, this balance means that partners bring a mix of active and receptive energies, making room for both strength and softness in the relationship. More: Importance of balancing masculine and feminine energy
The I Ching emphasizes that neither Yin nor Yang should dominate; instead, each must support and adjust to the other to maintain equilibrium. For instance, if one partner is overly assertive (Yang-heavy), the other might feel stifled, leading to tension or imbalance. Similarly, too much Yin can lead to passivity and missed opportunities. Through hexagrams that describe various states of harmony, mutual support, and tension, the I Ching offers guidance on nurturing the give-and-take essential for love to flourish.
In practical terms, an I Ching love reading might suggest embracing a Yang approach—taking initiative or speaking openly—when a relationship feels stagnant. Conversely, it may encourage a Yin stance of patience and quiet support when a partner is struggling. This dynamic flow mirrors the natural cycles of the universe, reinforcing that successful relationships adapt to life’s shifts. The I Ching essentially teaches that love is not static. Love is a living balance, inviting both partners to bring out the best in themselves and each other through mutual respect, flexibility, and shared growth. More: Tarot card guide: Key insights and methods
