What Grass is Used for Fortune Telling in Zhouyi and Its Mysterious Significance

Fortune - telling has always been a fascinating part of human culture, and in the ancient Chinese classic Zhouyi, a particular type of grass plays a crucial role. The grass used for fortune - telling in Zhouyi is the milfoil grass, also known as yarrow. This plant has a long - standing connection with divination in Chinese traditional culture.

Milfoil grass has been used for divination in Zhouyi for thousands of years. In ancient times, people believed that this grass was endowed with special spiritual power. The process of using milfoil grass for fortune - telling is complex and full of mystery. First, 50 stalks of milfoil grass are taken. One stalk is set aside, leaving 49. These 49 stalks are then divided into two piles at random, representing the separation of heaven and earth. Then, one stalk is taken from one of the piles and placed between the ring finger and little finger of the left hand, symbolizing humanity.

Next, the two piles of milfoil grass are counted in groups of four. The remainder of this counting process is used to determine the lines of the hexagrams in Zhouyi. This process is repeated three times to form a single line of the hexagram. A complete hexagram consists of six lines, so the entire divination process requires repeating the above steps 18 times. Each hexagram in Zhouyi has a unique meaning, and through the combination of these hexagrams, people can seek answers to various questions, such as the future of events, personal fortunes, and so on.

The use of milfoil grass in Zhouyi fortune - telling is not just a simple divination method. It reflects the ancient Chinese people's understanding of the universe, nature, and human relations. They believed that the changes in the milfoil grass during the divination process were related to the operation of the universe. This kind of divination method is also a way for people to communicate with the unknown world and seek guidance.

In conclusion, the milfoil grass is an important tool for fortune - telling in Zhouyi. Its use is deeply rooted in Chinese traditional culture and represents the wisdom and spiritual pursuit of the ancient Chinese. Although in modern society, many people may view it from a scientific perspective, it still holds a unique position in the study of Chinese traditional culture and the exploration of the unknown.