Basics of I Ching Divination (Six Lines Divination) | How to Cast and Interpret the 64 Hexagrams

Build one hexagram by stacking six lines from the bottom up.

In the I Ching, six lines of yin (broken line) and yang (unbroken line) are stacked. They are called the first line, second line, third line, fourth line, fifth line, and top line in order from the bottom, and the arrangement of these six lines determines one of the 64 possible hexagrams.

The basic approach is to interpret the lower three lines as the inner trigram (representing oneself) and the upper three as the outer trigram (representing others or the environment).

Method of Casting with Three Coins

The simplest method is to toss three coins six times. Heads are counted as yang, tails as yin, and each line is determined by the combination of the results.

If all three coins land on the same side, that line becomes a moving line. A second hexagram is formed by reversing the yin and yang of that line, which indicates the direction you are heading.

Read the hexagram text and line text in two stages.

First, read the meaning of the entire hexagram that appears (the hexagram text). Next, read the meaning of the position of the moving line (the line text). The hexagram text describes the overall situation, while the line text describes the part that is currently in motion.

If there are no moving lines, read only the hexagram text. If there are multiple moving lines, prioritize the highest (topmost) moving line.

The way you phrase your question greatly influences the result in I Ching Divination.

In I Ching Divination, the basic rule when posing a question is to ask "what should I do?" Questions seeking predictions such as "will this happen?" are said to rarely return clear answers.

Additionally, repeating the same question has long been discouraged. You are expected to first fully accept the hexagram you have received.

Memorize the Properties of the Eight Trigrams First

Trying to memorize all 64 hexagrams will only lead to frustration. In reality, you only need to memorize the properties of the eight trigrams.

Qian represents heaven and strength; Dui represents marsh and joy; Li represents fire and brightness; Zhen represents thunder and movement; Xun represents wind and compliance; Kan represents water and danger; Gen represents mountain and stillness; Kun represents earth and receptivity. Once you master these eight, you can infer the meaning of any hexagram from the combination of the upper and lower trigrams.

The upper trigram represents the external, i.e., others or the environment, while the lower trigram represents the internal, i.e., oneself or one's inner state. Even with the same two elements, swapping their upper and lower positions changes the meaning. Once you understand this structure, you will be able to interpret even hexagrams you have never seen before.

The Transformed Hexagram Indicates the Direction You Are Heading

When there are moving lines, reversing the yin and yang of those lines produces a second hexagram, which is called the transformed hexagram.

The first hexagram you receive represents your current situation, while the transformed hexagram represents where you are headed. Reading these two together allows you to interpret not a static state, but a dynamic process.

If you are moving from a hexagram indicating hardship to a transformed hexagram indicating stability, it can be interpreted as "you are currently in pain but on the way to overcoming it." The opposite would mean "things are good now, but be careful not to let your guard down." The reason the I Ching is useful as a tool for decision-making is that it allows you to read this dynamic movement.

Specific Steps to Cast a Hexagram with Coins

The simplest method is to use three coins of the same type. Heads are treated as yang, tails as yin.

After settling on your question in your mind, toss all three coins at once. Three heads make an old yang line, three tails make an old yin line, both of which become moving lines. Two heads and one tail make a young yin line, one head and two tails make a young yang line, neither of which change.

Repeat this six times, stacking the lines in order from the bottom up. The first toss becomes the first line, the sixth toss becomes the top line. The resulting arrangement of six lines will be one of the 64 hexagrams.

Once you get used to it, you can cast a hexagram in just a few minutes. There is also a more formal method using yarrow stalks, but it is said that there is no difference in the quality of the results.

There is proper etiquette for how to phrase questions in I Ching Divination.

In I Ching Divination, the basic rule when posing a question is to ask "what should I do?" Questions seeking predictions such as "will this happen?" are said to rarely return clear answers.

Most of the text of the *I Ching* is written as guidance for action. That is why it responds most directly to questions framed around taking action.

Additionally, repeating the same question has been avoided since ancient times. First, accept the hexagram you receive. Take action for a while, then ask again. This approach is considered the proper etiquette for maintaining a long-term practice of I Ching Divination.

Situations Where the I Ching Is Particularly Effective

The I Ching is less a divination method for predicting the future, and more one for revealing the nature of your current situation. As such, it is especially suited for making decisions about whether to move forward or stay put.

For example, even with the same general "hardship," the I Ching distinguishes between different types. The Kan hexagram indicates a state where you are trapped, while the Jian hexagram indicates a state where there are obstacles ahead. Both are difficult situations, but the ways to handle them are completely different.

Being able to make this distinction allows you to break free from the binary choice of either pushing blindly forward or giving up. If you realize that now is not the time to act, choosing to wait becomes a proactive decision. The reason the I Ching has been used for so long is likely because of its ability to improve the quality of your decisions.