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Summary

The I Ching is an ancient Chinese book intended primarily for use in divination. Both the standard methods of consulting the book, one using yarrow stalks and the other using coins, lead to a “hexagram” which has various auguries attached to it. An analysis of the probabilities involved shows that, although in general both methods have the same chance of producing any given hexagram, the final outcome of the consultation will be different in the two cases, as a result of the way in which the attached auguries are to be regarded as relevant or not. The relative merits of the two methods of consultation, and the value of the I Ching itself are discussed.

China, Oracle, Yin-Yang, Taoism, Yarrow-Stalk, Changes, Hexagram, Divination
Issue Section:
Articles

References

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