The Book of Changes (I Ching) is profound and extensive, and six-line divination, as an important branch, is one of the important methods used by the ancients to understand the secrets of heaven and predict the future. It simulates the evolution of all things in the world and provides guidance for our current confusion and choices. Many beginners are daunted, believing that the process is complex and the theory is difficult. In fact, as long as you master the correct method, the divination itself is not difficult. This article will break down the most traditional and effective "coin divination method" in detail, and lead you to take the first step in exploring the world of six lines.

1. Preparation before Divination

The ancients said: "Sincerity leads to spiritual response." Divination is not a child's play. A solemn sense of ritual and a pious attitude are the keys to successful divination. Before you begin, please prepare the following items:

  • Three Coins: It is best to use three coins of the same size and weight, preferably "Qianlong Tongbao" from the Qing Dynasty, because it has experienced prosperous times and has sufficient Yang energy. If not, modern coins can also be used instead, but it is necessary to determine which side is "heads" (Yang) and which side is "tails" (Yin) before divination.
  • Paper and Pen: Used to record the results of each divination.
  • Quiet Environment: Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed, wash your hands, sit quietly, and eliminate distracting thoughts.
  • Pious Attitude: Before divination, silently recite the matter you want to divine about. The question must be clear and specific. Avoid asking multiple questions in one divination or asking trivial matters. For example, you can ask "Will I succeed in this job application?" instead of asking "What will my future be like?".
The so-called "no doubt, no divination". Only when you have doubts in your heart and need guidance, the results of the divination will be most valuable.

2. The Core Steps of Divination

Once you are ready, you can officially begin the divination. The entire process needs to be repeated six times, from bottom to top, to obtain the six lines of the hexagram.

Step 1: Calm Your Mind and Ask Questions

Close your eyes and concentrate, put the three coins together in your palm, and hold them with both hands. Focus your mind on the thing you want to divine about, and repeat it silently until you feel that your thoughts have created some kind of connection with the coins in your hand.

Step 2: Shake the Hexagram and Record

After concentrating your thoughts, shake your hands randomly to fully mix the coins in your palm, and then gently toss them onto the table or a flat plate. Observe the upward facing sides of the three coins and record the first line (initial line) according to the result.

Step 3: Interpreting the Lines - Yin, Yang, and Movement

The essence of the six lines lies in Yin and Yang and their changes. We use the "heads" (the side with Chinese characters) and "tails" (usually the side with Manchu characters or patterns) of the coin to distinguish them. Usually agreed: "Tails" is Yang, recorded as 3; "Heads" is Yin, recorded as 2. After each toss, add the values of the three coins together, and you will get four results:

Coin Combination Sum of Values Line Name Record Symbol Nature of the Line
One Tail, Two Heads 3 + 2 + 2 = 7 Young Yang ⚊ (One long horizontal line) Yang line, stable and unchanged
Two Tails, One Head 3 + 3 + 2 = 8 Young Yin ⚋ (Two short horizontal lines) Yin line, stable and unchanged
Three Tails, No Heads 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 Old Yang O (or ⚊X) Yang line, moving, will change to Yin line
Three Heads, No Tails 2 + 2 + 2 = 6 Old Yin X (or ⚋X) Yin line, moving, will change to Yang line

Among them, the lines with values of 7 and 8 are called static lines, and they are stable. The lines with values of 9 and 6 are called moving lines (or changing lines), and they are the key to the change of the hexagram, indicating the variables and turning points in the development of things.

Step 4: Forming the Hexagram in Six Times

Repeat the above process of shaking and recording six times. Be sure to remember to record from bottom to top, the first result is the initial line, recorded at the bottom; the sixth result is the upper line, recorded at the top. In this way, a complete hexagram is formed.

For example, if your six results are: Young Yang, Young Yin, Young Yin, Old Yang, Young Yin, Young Yang. Then your record should be (from bottom to top):

Upper Line: ⚊ (Young Yang)
Fifth Line: ⚋ (Young Yin)
Fourth Line: O (Old Yang)
Third Line: ⚋ (Young Yin)
Second Line: ⚋ (Young Yin)
Initial Line: ⚊ (Young Yang)

3. Assembling and Changing the Hexagram

After all six lines have been recorded, you have obtained a complete hexagram, which we call the "original hexagram" or "main hexagram". It represents the current state of affairs.

Since "Old Yang" (moving line) appeared in our example, it indicates change. The moving line will change: Old Yang (O) changes to Yin line (⚋), Old Yin (X) changes to Yang line (⚊). The new hexagram obtained by changing all the moving lines in the original hexagram is called the "resulting hexagram" or "changing hexagram". It represents the trend of development and the final result of things.

Continuing the above example, the fourth line "Old Yang (O)" is a moving line, it will change to a Yin line (⚋). Therefore, the changing hexagram is:

Upper Line: ⚊
Fifth Line: ⚋
Fourth Line: ⚋ (Changed from Old Yang O)
Third Line: ⚋
Second Line: ⚋
Initial Line: ⚊

At this point, the entire process of divination is complete. You have obtained the "original hexagram" and the "resulting hexagram". Next, you need to consult the Book of Changes (I Ching) or other six-line classics based on these two hexagrams and the position of the moving lines to conduct in-depth interpretation.

4. Conclusion: The First Step of a Long Journey

Mastering the coin divination method is the first and most crucial step in entering the palace of I Ching prediction. An accurate hexagram is the basis of all subsequent interpretation and analysis. The process of divination itself is a ritual of communication between people and the information field of the universe. Therefore, be sure to maintain awe and piety.

Of course, divination is just the beginning. How to judge things based on the hexagram, the lines, and the complex theoretical system of the five elements, mutual generation and restraint, the six relatives, the world and the response, is the core and charm of six-line prediction. But this requires systematic learning and a lot of practice. I hope this tutorial can open a door to wisdom for you, and wish you success in exploring the path of I Ching.