What Is I Ching Reading? How to Consult the Oracle and Use the Book of Changes

A question arises in a quiet moment. You toss three coins, focus your mind, and receive a mysterious symbol composed of six lines—some broken, some unbroken. You’ve just performed an I Ching reading, one of the most ancient and profound forms of divination in human history.

But what is I Ching reading really about? The I Ching, Book of Changes or yi jing, is more than just a fortune-telling tool. It’s a book of wisdom, rooted in Taoist and Confucian traditions, filled with archetypes, symbols, and the patterns of yin and yang that reflect the flow of the Tao. In this post, we’ll walk through the divination method step by step, exploring the roles of hexagrams, trigrams, changing lines, and the philosophy behind the Ching reading process.

What Is an I Ching Reading and Where Did It Come From?

An I Ching reading is a form of symbolic divination that uses either coins or yarrow stalks to produce a hexagram. This six-line symbol is then interpreted using the I Ching—a ching text composed during the Zhou dynasty and considered one of the foundational works of Chinese philosophy.

The Ching, or Book of Changes, was originally used in ancient Chinese courts and evolved over centuries into a comprehensive oracle. Each hexagram acts like a mirror to your current moment, allowing you to see the situation clearly and align your actions with the laws of the universe.

What Are Hexagrams and How Do They Work?

A hexagram is composed of six lines either solid (yang) or broken (yin). These lines form one of the 64 symbolic patterns found in the I Ching. Each hexagram has its own meaning, derived from ancient commentaries, and corresponds to a life situation, relationship pattern, or emotional state.

The lower and upper halves of a hexagram are each a trigram, and together they convey a message that applies to the situation you’re consulting about. Hexagrams are read from bottom to top, as each line of the hexagram represents a progression or development.

What Is the Three Coins Method?

The most popular modern divination method for a Ching reading is the three coins method. Each coin toss contributes to building your hexagram, one line at a time. The heads or tails results determine if the line is yang, yin, or a changing line.

You toss the coins six times and record the results from bottom to top. Over the centuries, this practice has become the most accessible way to consult the I Ching, replacing the older and more complex yarrow stalk method.

How to Toss the Coins Six Times for a Ching Reading

To perform a ching reading using the coin method:

Use three coins (preferably traditional Chinese coins, but any will do).

Heads = 3 and Tails = 2

For each toss, assign

6 = Old yin (changing → yang)

7 = Young yang (stable) or unchanging

8 = Young yin (stable) or unchanging

9 = Old yang (changing → yin)

Add up the coin values

Repeat this six times and stack your lines from bottom to top.

This process creates your primary hexagram, and if any changing lines appear, they point to a second hexagram—showing the transformation at play.

How to Interpret Yin and Yang Lines

The core of the I Ching lies in the interaction of yin and yang. A broken line represents yin—receptive, still, dark. An unbroken or solid line represents yang—active, assertive, light.

These forces reflect the Taoist worldview of balance and flow. When a line is “changing,” it shifts from one to the other, showing that the situation is in transition. This mirrors how Tao expresses itself through change.

What Are Trigrams and Why Do They Matter?

Every hexagram is made from two trigrams—sets of three lines. The upper trigram and lower trigram correspond to natural elements: Heaven, Earth, Water, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Mountain, and Lake.

These trigrams give the hexagram emotional tone and environmental context. For instance, a hexagram with Lake over Earth might suggest joy rising from a stable foundation. The combination of trigrams and line dynamics is what makes the I Ching such a flexible oracle.

How Do You Read the Changing Lines in the I Ching?

Changing lines are where the divination gets rich. If your ching reading contains a changing line, read both the base hexagram and the transformed one. The changing line commentary (from sources like Wilhelm or Alfred Huang) offers specific insight about your current moment.

When multiple changing lines appear, interpret each one individually first. Then reflect on how they correspond to one another. This is how the I Ching reveals layers of truth—not by telling you what to do, but by showing the deeper movement behind your question.

What’s the Best Way to Consult the I Ching Today?

To consult the I Ching today, you don’t need to live in ancient China. All you need is a clear mind, three coins, and a moment of reflection. You can even try an online I Ching tool if you’re short on time.

Just remember

• Be honest in your asking.

• Be open to unexpected messages.

• Take your time with the interpretation.

• Let the hexagram speak to your inner world, not just your outer goal.

How Is the I Ching Used as an Oracle in Chinese Philosophy?

The Ching is not just a divination tool—it is one of the cornerstones of Chinese philosophy. Used by both Confucian and Taoist schools, the Ching expresses the flow of yin and yang, cosmic laws, and the human capacity for wisdom and change.

It’s said that Confucius studied the I Ching in his later years, writing commentaries on its hexagrams. The oracle doesn’t tell the future; it illuminates the present. It helps you understand what the moment means—in your heart, your relationships, or your journey.

What Are the Best Translations and Commentaries?

One of the most respected translations is the Wilhelm/Baynes edition, introduced by Carl Jung, who believed the I Ching tapped into universal archetypes. Jung even explored how it corresponds to psychological patterns and synchronicity.

Other excellent ching books include

• The Complete I Ching by Taoist master Alfred Huang

• The Laws of Change by Jack Balkin

• Total I Ching by Stephen Karcher

Choose the translation that best fits your level of understanding and interest in Taoist, Confucian, or psychological approaches.

Summary: What Is I Ching Reading? Key Takeaways

• I Ching reading is a form of divination using symbolic hexagrams made up of yin and yang lines.

• The three coins method is the most popular way to generate a hexagram—toss the coins six times to build it from bottom to top.

• Each hexagram has a meaning, shaped by its two trigrams and any changing lines.

• The I Ching is a book of changes and a book of wisdom, used for self-reflection, not prediction.

• You can consult the I Ching with coins or digitally to gain insight into life’s transitions and energies.

• The oracle speaks through metaphor, helping you use the I Ching to realign with the Tao and your true path.

• Best translations include those by Wilhelm, Huang, and Karcher—each offering a unique lens on the ancient text.

Useful Links

1. Revolutionary I Ching App to harness Insights for Personal Growth, Download AI Ching App
2. What is the I Ching
3. How to consult the I Ching
4. Consult the I Ching Online
5. Discover the ‘Daily I Ching’ for universal guidance.
6. Access all the I Ching Hexagrams 1 to 64
7. Buy the book, Embracing Life’s Journey Your Guide to Personal Growth with the I Ching
8. Little Panda Learns the Tao: Stories of Nature’s Balance. Download on Amazon
9. Discover Inner Peace, one day at a time

FREE Ebook - The I Ching: Life’s GPS

The Ultimate Guide to Life's Answers

Unlock ancient wisdom. Discover how the I Ching can guide your decisions and bring clarity to your path—your answers await.

Get Yours for FREE!