The Chinese Book of Changes is one of the oldest texts. This is not only a treatise for fortune telling. It contains deep wisdom, the philosophy of life and the spiritual culture of the people. Throughout the long history of China, this book has had a significant impact 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 what is best for a person to do in a particular situation, that is, gives him the right to choose and helps to relate to life difficulties in a philosophical way. That's how it differs from other types of fortune telling.
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
Fortune-telling in the Book of Changes for centuries, not only the Chinese. Her wisdom was addressed by people from various countries, rich and poor, titled persons and peasants. Some tried to find answers, others asked the Book about what to do in certain situations, while others looked into it out of curiosity. But in each case, the Chinese Book of Changes proved that it can help a person even in the most difficult situation. That is why it is so revered in China and far beyond. Today, the Chinese Book of Changes is in every family, even the poorest. To her, the Chinese relate as Europeans to the Bible or Muslims to the Koran. It is believed that the book brings 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 trait can be solid or torn. A straight line symbolizes a state of activity, light, Yang, and a broken line, on the contrary, is a testament to Yin - darkness and passivity in fortune telling. The trigram consisting of solid lines is Yang, light, of broken lines - Yin, shadow.
Accordingly, if it consists of two solid lines and one interrupted, it is called mainly light, and a trigram with two broken lines and one solid - shadow. In hexagrams, either the Yang or Yin type may also prevail. All combinations are numbered and have their own name. Each hexogram corresponds to a specific value. It reflects the 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 examined possible solutions to each situation. This is why the Chinese Book of Changes is unique.
Fortune telling on it is carried out with the help of three identical coins. Eagle means Yang, you need to draw a solid line, tails - Yin, respectively, a broken line is drawn. In China, fortune telling from the Book of Changes is a ritual using special yarrow sticks. Europeans are accustomed to simpler fortune telling with coins. Before the session, you need to focus on the question. Clearly articulate it and only then begin to throw coins. They take turns tossing six times. If at the same time two or three coins at once lie down with the eagle up - draw a solid line, if two or three tails have fallen - intermittent.
It must be remembered that the hexagram is made upwards, that is, they draw lines one above the other. Although some sources are trying to prove the opposite. After all six lines are drawn, the hexagram must be divided into two parts and find its number in the table. Now you can read what the Chinese Book of Changes will say. The interpretation of each combination consists of two parts. The first answers the question of the fortuneteller, and the second contains advice on how to behave in this situation.
Advice
When reading fortune-telling on the Book of Changes, several rules must be observed:
- Do not ask the same question, even if you didn’t like the answer.
- Do not pose stupid questions like “How much will 2 + 2?” While checking the Book.
- In one session, without urgent need, do not ask more than one question.
- Fortune telling should not be frequent.
- Do not use the Book if the plan is intended to harm others.
Conclusion
The Chinese Book of Changes can be a comfort in difficult situations and will be an inspiration to anyone who decides to follow her advice.