Which hexagram should be used to calculate the hexagrams in the Yi Jing A Guide to Hexagram Selection

The Yi Jing, also known as the Book of Changes, is an ancient Chinese classic that has been used for divination and philosophical exploration for thousands of years. One of the key questions that often arises when using the Yi Jing is which hexagram should be used to calculate the hexagrams. In this blog post, we will explore this question and provide some guidance on hexagram selection.

To understand which hexagram to use for calculation, it's important to first understand the basic principles of the Yi Jing. The Yi Jing consists of 64 hexagrams, each composed of six lines, either broken (yin) or unbroken (yang). These hexagrams represent different states and situations in life.

When starting a divination process, the most common method is to use the traditional coin - tossing or yarrow - stalk method. In the coin - tossing method, three coins are tossed six times. Each toss results in a line: two heads and one tail gives a yang line, two tails and one head gives a yin line, three heads gives an old yang line (which will change to yin), and three tails gives an old yin line (which will change to yang). The resulting six - line combination forms a hexagram, which is the initial hexagram for the divination.

Sometimes, there may be changing lines (old yang or old yin). When there are changing lines, a second hexagram is formed by changing these lines. The initial hexagram represents the current situation, while the second hexagram shows the future development based on the changes.

However, the choice of which hexagram to focus on can vary depending on the purpose of the divination. If you are mainly interested in the current state of affairs, the initial hexagram is more relevant. If you want to understand the future direction after the changes, the second hexagram becomes crucial.

In conclusion, there is no one - size - fits - all answer to which hexagram should be used to calculate the hexagrams in the Yi Jing. It depends on the specific context and the question you are trying to answer. By understanding the process of hexagram formation and the meaning of changing lines, you can make a more informed decision on which hexagram to use for your divination and gain deeper insights from the ancient wisdom of the Yi Jing.