- What is the I Ching and how is it used?
- The I Ching (Book of Changes) is one of the oldest Chinese classical texts, used for over 3,000 years as a philosophical guide and oracle. You hold a sincere question in mind, cast a hexagram (traditionally with yarrow stalks; commonly with coins), then read the relevant judgment and line texts as contemplative counsel — not a prediction, but a mirror for reflection.
- How do I read the hexagram chart (upper vs lower trigram)?
- Each hexagram is composed of an upper trigram (top three lines) and a lower trigram (bottom three lines). The table rows label the upper trigram and the columns label the lower trigram. Find your upper trigram row, scan across to your lower trigram column — the cell is your hexagram. This explorer also lets you simply filter by number (1–64) or keyword to jump directly.
- What do "changing lines" mean in the 3-coin method?
- When all three coins land the same way — all heads (sum 9, old yang) or all tails (sum 6, old yin) — that line is changing. In Taoist philosophy, extreme yang transforms into yin and vice versa. The changing-line text is the most pointed counsel for your question. After applying all changes, flip each changing line to get the relating hexagram, which describes the future trajectory.
- Is this the same as the Wilhelm/Baynes or other translations?
- The hexagram names and judgments here are based on the classical Wilhelm/Baynes and Legge traditions — the most widely used English scholarly translations. Line texts are condensed for clarity but preserve the core meaning of each position. For deep study, cross-reference with a full printed edition; this tool is designed as an accessible reference and casting calculator.
- Does this store my reading or send data to a server?
- No. The entire hexagram database is bundled in this page, the coin simulation uses your browser's built-in random number generator, and no data is ever sent anywhere. Your reading is completely private. The URL hash updates so you can bookmark or share a specific hexagram directly.