I-Ching Divination has been used as a guide in times of uncertainty for centuries. Drawing upon Chinese culture, philosophy, mysticism and common sense to apply its judgement to everyday decision-making. Respected throughout the ages, it is still a feature today.

      Written by Lily Tong, Feng Shui Times brings you a series of tutorials to introduce I-Ching divination to its readers

The History of the I-Ching Divination

      I-Ching divination can trace its beginnings to the time of the renownedsage, Fu Hsi. He dedicated his life to the study of the triagrams and the underlying principles of the universe.

      The triagrams are based on the principles of Yin and Yang: Opposing yet complimentary energies that form the basis of all things. Yin is passive and feminine while Yang is active and masculine. Together, they are light and dark, man and woman, night and day, postive and negative. Yin represents the moon that exerts power over the earth, while Yang represents the heavens which controls the sun.

      The triagrams is said to be inspired by configuration of lines on the shellThe triagrams is said to be inspired by configuration of lines on the shellof the Lou Shu or Dragon Headed Tortoise. Fu Hsi discovered this when he witnessed the creature rise from the Yang Tze River. This is one of the reasons why the Lou Shu is believed to be auspicious.

      Using the lines on the tortoise, he derived the first triagrams. The primaryprinciples, the Yin and the Yang were derived into two primary triagrams. These were then split into four images that were then used to generate the eight triagrams.

      In the years to come, other sages and scholars added to the study of I-Ching until the eight triagrams were developed into the sixty-four hexagrams. Each hexagram had its own name, attributes and commentaries.

      The I-Ching was further developed throughout the ages until it reachedthe hands of its most famous student, a sage and philosopher named Confucius. His contribution to the I-Ching was of great importance to its development. He added entire texts to the I-Ching and made it one of the popular forms of oracular divination in China.

      Many continued to add their own study into the I-Ching. Today, the I-Ching is the collective study by over 200 different scholars throughout Chinese history.

      The I-Ching made its first debut in France in the early eighteenth century. It was not very popular until the late nineteenth century when a German Christian Missionary translated it by the name of Richard Wilhelm. Since then it has grown steadily in popularity in the West until today.

      Today it is adopted by people from all walks of life. Its popularity is still growing as people begin to truly understand its techniques and philosophies.