How to do an I Ching reading
- Frame your question. Write it down or hold it clearly in mind. Open questions work best: “What should I understand about…?” or “How should I approach…?”
- Toss three coins six times. Each toss gives one line, starting at the bottom of the hexagram and building upward. Heads count 3 and tails count 2, so every toss adds up to 6, 7, 8 or 9.
- Read the primary hexagram. It describes the situation as it is now.
- Look at the changing lines. Lines that add up to 6 or 9 are “old” and about to turn into their opposite. They point to the part of the situation that is in motion.
- Read the relating hexagram. Flip the changing lines and you get a second hexagram, which shows where things are heading.
Tips for a clearer I Ching reading
- Ask about yourself. “How can I help my brother?” gives a clearer I Ching reading than “Will my brother change?”
- Avoid yes-or-no questions. The I Ching answers with images and advice, not verdicts.
- Ask once. Hexagram 4 warns that a student who asks the same question again and again muddies the answer.
- Note the date and the result. Many people keep an I Ching journal and find readings make more sense a few weeks later.
How the three-coin method works
In a coin-based I Ching reading, each toss of three coins gives a total between 6 and 9. The total decides whether the line is yin or yang, and whether it is stable or changing:
| Coins | Total | Line | Coin odds | Yarrow odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 tails | 6 | Old yin — x —, changing to yang | 1 in 8 | 1 in 16 |
| 2 tails, 1 head | 7 | Young yang ———, stable | 3 in 8 | 5 in 16 |
| 2 heads, 1 tail | 8 | Young yin — —, stable | 3 in 8 | 7 in 16 |
| 3 heads | 9 | Old yang —o—, changing to yin | 1 in 8 | 3 in 16 |
The older yarrow-stalk method sorts 50 stalks by hand and takes around twenty minutes. It gives the same four values but with different odds: changing yang lines come up three times as often as changing yin lines. This online I Ching reading uses a cryptographic random number generator for the virtual coins, and you can switch to yarrow odds in the options.
Reading changing lines and the relating hexagram
When several lines change in an I Ching reading, which one matters most? Teachers differ, but a widely used set of rules goes back to the Song-dynasty scholar Zhu Xi. This I Ching reading follows a simplified version:
| Changing lines | Where to focus |
|---|---|
| None | The primary hexagram as a whole; the situation is stable |
| One | That line |
| Two | The upper of the two lines |
| Three | Both hexagrams: the primary is the present, the relating the outcome |
| Four or five | Mainly the relating hexagram |
| Six | The relating hexagram; the situation turns into its opposite |
Each of the six positions also has its own meaning. Line 1 is the beginning of a matter and line 6 its culmination. Line 2 is the centre of the inner trigram and line 5 the centre of the outer one, the “ruler” of the hexagram. Line 3 and line 4 sit at the uneasy boundary between inner and outer.
The eight trigrams (八卦)
In an I Ching reading, every hexagram is two trigrams stacked on top of each other: a lower, inner trigram and an upper, outer one. The eight trigrams are the building blocks of the I Ching and of Feng Shui.
| Trigram | Name | Image | Quality | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☰ | 乾 Qian | Heaven | strong, creative | father |
| ☱ | 兑 Dui | Lake | joyful, open | youngest daughter |
| ☲ | 离 Li | Fire | bright, clinging | middle daughter |
| ☳ | 震 Zhen | Thunder | arousing, moving | eldest son |
| ☴ | 巽 Xun | Wind | gentle, penetrating | eldest daughter |
| ☵ | 坎 Kan | Water | deep, dangerous | middle son |
| ☶ | 艮 Gen | Mountain | still, resting | youngest son |
| ☷ | 坤 Kun | Earth | yielding, receptive | mother |
The 64 hexagrams of the I Ching
The hexagrams are listed in the traditional King Wen order, the sequence of the received text. Each pair of neighbours is either the same figure turned upside down or, when that would change nothing, its mirror image with every line flipped. The short meanings below are our own summaries, written for this I Ching reading tool. Whatever hexagram your I Ching reading gives you, you can look it up here.
| No. | Hexagram | Name | Upper / lower | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 乾 | Qian The Creative | ☰ Heaven ☰ Heaven | Pure yang: initiative, strength and persistence. A time to lead and to act on your purpose, steadily rather than forcefully. |
| 2 | 坤 | Kun The Receptive | ☷ Earth ☷ Earth | Pure yin: openness, support and patience. Follow rather than lead and let the situation show its shape; devoted care succeeds where pushing fails. |
| 3 | 屯 | Zhun Difficult Beginnings | ☵ Water ☳ Thunder | Something new is sprouting amid confusion. Expect early chaos and do not force a quick result; gather helpers and put things in order. |
| 4 | 蒙 | Meng Youthful Inexperience | ☶ Mountain ☵ Water | You do not yet know enough. Approach the matter as a student: ask sincerely, listen, and do not repeat the question hoping for a different answer. |
| 5 | 需 | Xu Waiting | ☵ Water ☰ Heaven | The right moment has not arrived. Wait with confidence and look after yourself meanwhile; acting too early would mean danger. |
| 6 | 讼 | Song Conflict | ☰ Heaven ☵ Water | Opposing interests meet. Even if you are in the right, pushing a dispute to the end is costly; seek a fair mediator and clear terms. |
| 7 | 师 | Shi The Army | ☷ Earth ☵ Water | Organised effort under clear leadership. A just cause, discipline and an experienced leader are needed to keep people together. |
| 8 | 比 | Bi Holding Together | ☵ Water ☷ Earth | Unity and belonging. Join with others, or invite them to join you, while there is still time; make sure the bond rests on sincerity. |
| 9 | 小畜 | Xiao Chu Small Restraint | ☴ Wind ☰ Heaven | Dense clouds but no rain yet. Small forces hold back larger ones, so progress comes in small steps; refine the details and stay gentle. |
| 10 | 履 | Lü Treading Carefully | ☰ Heaven ☱ Lake | Treading on the tiger’s tail. Courtesy and correct conduct keep you safe in a delicate situation; know your place and stay aware. |
| 11 | 泰 | Tai Peace | ☷ Earth ☰ Heaven | Heaven and earth in communion: a time of harmony and growth, when small efforts bring large returns. Use the good period well. |
| 12 | 否 | Pi Standstill | ☰ Heaven ☷ Earth | Communication breaks down and nothing flows. Keep your integrity, keep away from bad faith and wait for the tide to turn. |
| 13 | 同人 | Tong Ren Fellowship | ☰ Heaven ☲ Fire | Working with others in the open, around a shared purpose rather than private interest. Common goals overcome differences. |
| 14 | 大有 | Da You Great Possession | ☲ Fire ☰ Heaven | Abundance and visibility: you hold resources, talent or influence. Keep them through modesty, generosity and good judgement. |
| 15 | 谦 | Qian Modesty | ☷ Earth ☶ Mountain | A mountain hidden under the earth: quiet strength that does not boast. Modesty balances excess and lack and carries things to a good end. |
| 16 | 豫 | Yu Enthusiasm | ☳ Thunder ☷ Earth | Energy that moves people. Inspire and prepare others, working with the mood of the time, but beware of complacency. |
| 17 | 随 | Sui Following | ☱ Lake ☳ Thunder | Adapt to the times and follow what deserves to be followed. Leading well begins with being willing to serve; rest when it is time to rest. |
| 18 | 蛊 | Gu Repairing Decay | ☶ Mountain ☴ Wind | Something has been spoiled by neglect, often inherited from others. Fix it: study the causes before acting and follow through afterwards. |
| 19 | 临 | Lin Approach | ☷ Earth ☱ Lake | Good things draw near and influence is growing. Act with care and generosity while the season favours you; it will not last forever. |
| 20 | 观 | Guan Contemplation | ☴ Wind ☷ Earth | Look carefully before acting, and remember that others are watching you as an example. Seeing the whole picture shows the right response. |
| 21 | 噬嗑 | Shi He Biting Through | ☲ Fire ☳ Thunder | An obstacle must be bitten through. Deal decisively and fairly with what blocks the way; clear rules and consequences restore order. |
| 22 | 贲 | Bi Grace | ☶ Mountain ☲ Fire | Beauty, form and style. Presentation makes things pleasant, but substance matters more; good for small matters, not for big decisions. |
| 23 | 剥 | Bo Splitting Apart | ☶ Mountain ☷ Earth | Erosion from below as an old structure gives way. This is no time for bold moves; hold steady, be generous to those below you and wait. |
| 24 | 复 | Fu Return | ☷ Earth ☳ Thunder | The turning point: light returns after darkness. Recovery begins naturally and gradually; let it build and go back to what is essential. |
| 25 | 无妄 | Wu Wang Innocence | ☰ Heaven ☳ Thunder | Act without hidden motives. Sincere, spontaneous action in line with the natural order succeeds; scheming brings misfortune. |
| 26 | 大畜 | Da Chu Great Restraint | ☶ Mountain ☰ Heaven | Strength held in check and stored up. Build knowledge, energy and resources; the time for great undertakings will come. |
| 27 | 颐 | Yi Nourishment | ☶ Mountain ☳ Thunder | Notice what you feed yourself and others: food, words and ideas. What people choose to nourish shows who they are. |
| 28 | 大过 | Da Guo Great Excess | ☱ Lake ☴ Wind | The ridgepole sags under too much weight. An extraordinary situation calls for decisive action, carried out gently and with a way out. |
| 29 | 坎 | Kan The Abyss | ☵ Water ☵ Water | Danger upon danger, like water running through a gorge. Keep your heart steady and sincere and move through it as water does, without losing yourself. |
| 30 | 离 | Li Clinging Fire | ☲ Fire ☲ Fire | Brightness depends on what it clings to. Clarity and recognition grow when attached to something right; cultivate steady devotion. |
| 31 | 咸 | Xian Attraction | ☱ Lake ☶ Mountain | Mutual attraction and influence. Openness and receptivity draw others to you; a favourable sign for relationships and partnerships. |
| 32 | 恒 | Heng Endurance | ☳ Thunder ☴ Wind | What lasts: commitment, consistency and staying power, while still adapting in the details. Keep to a path that has proved its worth. |
| 33 | 遯 | Dun Retreat | ☰ Heaven ☶ Mountain | A strategic withdrawal. Stepping back at the right time is not defeat; it preserves your strength for later. |
| 34 | 大壮 | Da Zhuang Great Power | ☳ Thunder ☰ Heaven | Great strength is available. Use it with restraint and only for what is right; force for its own sake gets you stuck. |
| 35 | 晋 | Jin Progress | ☲ Fire ☷ Earth | Rapid, easy advance, like the sun rising over the earth. Recognition and favour come; let your good qualities show. |
| 36 | 明夷 | Ming Yi Darkening of the Light | ☷ Earth ☲ Fire | The light is hidden and circumstances are hostile. Protect your inner light, stay true but discreet, and endure until things change. |
| 37 | 家人 | Jia Ren The Family | ☴ Wind ☲ Fire | Roles, duties and care within a family or close group. Order at home is the base of order elsewhere; words should match deeds. |
| 38 | 睽 | Kui Opposition | ☲ Fire ☱ Lake | Estrangement and difference. Big undertakings are hard now, but small matters can still succeed; find common ground without denying differences. |
| 39 | 蹇 | Jian Obstruction | ☵ Water ☶ Mountain | An obstacle lies ahead. Do not throw yourself against it; turn back, look within, seek help and wait for a better route. |
| 40 | 解 | Xie Release | ☳ Thunder ☵ Water | The knot loosens and tension is released. Forgive, clear away what remains of the problem and return to normal life quickly. |
| 41 | 损 | Sun Decrease | ☶ Mountain ☱ Lake | Giving something up, simplifying, reducing. A sincere sacrifice can bring good fortune; even a small offering is enough if it is heartfelt. |
| 42 | 益 | Yi Increase | ☴ Wind ☳ Thunder | A period of gain and support. Use it to undertake something worthwhile and to help others, and learn from what is good. |
| 43 | 夬 | Guai Breakthrough | ☱ Lake ☰ Heaven | A decisive moment to expose and remove what is wrong. Act with resolve, but openly and without violence. |
| 44 | 姤 | Gou Coming to Meet | ☰ Heaven ☴ Wind | An unexpected encounter, often with something that looks harmless but grows powerful. Be aware of the influences you let in. |
| 45 | 萃 | Cui Gathering | ☱ Lake ☷ Earth | People gather around a centre: a leader, a cause or a celebration. Prepare for the unexpected whenever crowds come together. |
| 46 | 升 | Sheng Rising | ☷ Earth ☴ Wind | Steady upward growth, like a tree pushing through the soil. Effort and patience bring advancement; seek out people who can help. |
| 47 | 困 | Kun Exhaustion | ☱ Lake ☵ Water | Oppression or depletion: resources and words run dry. Keep your inner resolve; at such times actions convince more than speeches. |
| 48 | 井 | Jing The Well | ☵ Water ☴ Wind | A source that serves everyone. Maintain what nourishes the community; a well is only useful if it is kept clean and the rope reaches the water. |
| 49 | 革 | Ge Revolution | ☱ Lake ☲ Fire | Fundamental change. Make sure it is needed, time it well and win people’s trust; then the transformation is welcomed. |
| 50 | 鼎 | Ding The Cauldron | ☲ Fire ☴ Wind | Transformation through refinement. Something valuable is being prepared; good structures nourish talent and wisdom. |
| 51 | 震 | Zhen Thunder | ☳ Thunder ☳ Thunder | Shock and sudden movement. It frightens at first, but those who keep their composure come through it and can laugh afterwards. |
| 52 | 艮 | Gen Keeping Still | ☶ Mountain ☶ Mountain | Stillness and stopping in the right place. Calm the mind, rest when it is time to rest, and act only when it is time to act. |
| 53 | 渐 | Jian Gradual Progress | ☴ Wind ☶ Mountain | Slow, steady development, like a tree growing on a mountain. Proceed step by step and do not skip stages. |
| 54 | 归妹 | Gui Mei The Marrying Maiden | ☳ Thunder ☱ Lake | A relationship or position entered on unequal terms. Understand your role and its limits; impulsive moves bring trouble. |
| 55 | 丰 | Feng Abundance | ☳ Thunder ☲ Fire | A peak of fullness and brightness, like the sun at noon. Enjoy it without worry and act while it lasts, knowing it will pass. |
| 56 | 旅 | Lü The Traveller | ☲ Fire ☶ Mountain | A stranger in unfamiliar territory. Be modest, careful and correct; keep moving and do not overstay. |
| 57 | 巽 | Xun The Gentle Wind | ☴ Wind ☴ Wind | Gentle, persistent influence. Penetrate slowly rather than by force; a clear aim and repeated gentle effort bring lasting results. |
| 58 | 兑 | Dui Joy | ☱ Lake ☱ Lake | Joy shared and expressed: openness, friendly exchange and encouragement. Real joy rests on inner steadiness, not indulgence. |
| 59 | 涣 | Huan Dispersion | ☴ Wind ☵ Water | Things scatter or dissolve. Overcome division with a shared purpose, and let rigidity and selfishness melt away. |
| 60 | 节 | Jie Limitation | ☵ Water ☱ Lake | Setting limits, like the joints of bamboo. Sensible boundaries give structure and freedom; limits that are too strict cannot last. |
| 61 | 中孚 | Zhong Fu Inner Truth | ☴ Wind ☱ Lake | Sincerity that reaches even the hardest to reach. Understand others from their point of view; trust built on truth is powerful. |
| 62 | 小过 | Xiao Guo Small Excess | ☳ Thunder ☶ Mountain | Small matters, not great ones. Be careful with details, humble and conventional; better to come down than to fly too high. |
| 63 | 既济 | Ji Ji After Completion | ☵ Water ☲ Fire | Everything is in its place, and that is exactly when to be careful. Order drifts toward disorder; attend to details to keep what you have achieved. |
| 64 | 未济 | Wei Ji Before Completion | ☲ Fire ☵ Water | Not finished yet; the transition is under way. Proceed with care, like a young fox crossing a river, and success is still possible. |
I Ching reading vs Bazi chart
The I Ching and Bazi grew from the same roots, yin–yang and cyclical change, but they answer different questions. An I Ching reading looks at one question at one moment: what is going on and how should I respond? A Bazi chart is fixed at birth and describes a whole life, including your Day Master, your balance of the Five Elements and your ten-year Luck Pillars. Many people use both: the chart for the long view, the I Ching for a decision in front of them. You can see your own chart with the free Bazi calculator, or find your Chinese zodiac sign.
I Ching reading FAQ
Is this I Ching reading free?
Yes. The coin toss, the hexagram, the changing lines and the relating hexagram are all free, with no account. Your question stays in your browser.
What kind of question should I ask the I Ching?
Open questions work best, such as “What should I understand about this new job?” or “How should I approach this conversation?” Yes-or-no questions and questions about other people's private choices tend to give confusing readings.
Can I ask the same question again?
Tradition says no. Hexagram 4 warns that asking the same question again and again is disrespectful and muddies the answer. Sit with the first reading for a while, or ask a different, sharper question.
What are changing lines in an I Ching reading?
A changing line is a 6 (old yin) or a 9 (old yang). It is so extreme that it turns into its opposite, which creates a second, relating hexagram. Changing lines show where the situation is moving.
What does it mean if my reading has no changing lines?
The situation is stable for now. Read the primary hexagram as a whole; there is no relating hexagram.
Are coins as good as yarrow stalks?
Both are traditional. The yarrow-stalk method is older and slower and makes changing yang lines more likely than changing yin lines. The three-coin method, in use since at least the Song dynasty, gives both an equal chance. You can choose either method in the options.
Is an I Ching reading fortune telling?
The I Ching is better seen as a tool for reflection than a prediction machine. It offers images and advice that help you look at a situation from a new angle. Do not use it for medical, legal or financial decisions.
Hold your question. Toss the coins.
Six tosses, one hexagram, a few minutes of reflection. Your free I Ching reading is at the top of this page.
Start an I Ching reading