The Chinese Book of Changes is one of the most ancient texts. This is not only a treatise for divination. It contains deep wisdom, philosophy of life and spiritual culture of the people. Throughout the centuries-old history of China, this book has had a considerable influence on the life and life of each of its inhabitants.
Appearance
The Chinese Book of Changes, or I Ching, not only answers questions, it shows how a person should act in a given situation, that is, it gives him the right to choose and helps to treat life's difficulties philosophically. This is how it differs from other types of divination.
According to one of the ancient Chinese legends, the Book of Changes was created by the ruler Fu Xi, who lived in the 3rd millennium BC. e. It is based on the doctrine that everything in the world is changeable and contradictory.
Purpose of Creation
Divined by the Book of Changes for centuries, not only the Chinese. People from various countries, rich and poor, titled persons and peasants turned to her wisdom. Some tried to find answers, others asked the Book about how to act in certain situations, others looked into it out of curiosity. But in every case, the Chinese Book of Changes provedthat she can help a person even in the most difficult situation. That is why she is so revered in China and far beyond its borders. Today, the Chinese Book of Changes is in every family, even the poorest. The Chinese treat it the way Europeans treat the Bible or Muslims treat the Koran. The book is believed to bring good luck.
Description
The Classical Chinese Book of Changes contains 64 characters. They are called hexagrams, since each symbol consists of six bands combined into trigrams. Each line can be solid or broken. A straight line symbolizes the state of activity, light, Yang, and interrupted, on the contrary, is evidence of Yin - darkness and passivity in divination. A trigram consisting of solid lines - Yang, light, broken ones - Yin, shadow.
Accordingly, if it includes two solid lines and one broken line, it is called mainly light, and a trigram with two broken lines and one solid line is called shadow. In hexagrams, either Yang or Yin type can also predominate. All combinations are numbered and have their own name. Each hexagram corresponds to a certain value. It reflects the current situation and its possible outcome if the fortuneteller uses the advice of the Book. All explanatory texts are very extensive. This indicates that the Chinese sages carefully considered the possible ways out of each situation. This is what makes the Chinese Book of Changes unique.
Fortune-telling is carried out using three identical coins. Eagle means Yangyou need to draw a solid line, tails - Yin, respectively, a broken line is drawn. In China, divination according to the Book of Changes is a whole ritual using special yarrow sticks. Europeans, on the other hand, are accustomed to simpler divination using coins. Before the session, you need to focus on the issue. Clearly formulate it and only then start throwing coins. They are tossed six times in turn. If at the same time two or three coins fell heads up at once, they draw a solid line, if two or three tails fell out, a broken one.
It must be remembered that the hexagram is made from the bottom up, that is, the lines are drawn one above the other. Although some sources try to prove otherwise. After all six lines are drawn, the hexagram must be divided into two parts and its number should be found in the table. Now you can read what the Chinese Book of Changes says. The interpretation of each combination consists of two parts. The first answers the fortuneteller's question, and the second contains advice on how to behave in this situation.
Tips
When divining on the Book of Changes, you need to follow a few rules:
- Don't ask the same question even if you don't like the answer.
- Don't ask stupid questions like "What is 2 + 2?" while checking the Book.
- Do not ask more than one question in one session without urgent need.
- Fortune-telling should not be frequent.
- Don't use the Book if your intention is to harm others.
Conclusion
The Chinese Book of Changes can serve as a comfort in difficult situations and will become a source of inspiration for all who decide to follow its advice.
