What is Divination?
Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means. In essence, it is communication with the Divine. The term comes from the Latin word 'divinare', which means 'to foresee, foretell, predict, prophesy, etc. Divination can take many forms, including tarot-card reading, rune casting, tea-leaf reading, and so on.
Divination in China
Ancient Chinese writing recording divination results
The practice of Chinese divination has a rich history, deeply rooted in ancient Chinese culture.
The oldest accounts of Chinese divination describe it as a way to “solve doubts.” Two well-known methods, were sanctioned since the Shang and Zhou dynasties, were:
-
Bǔ (卜): Divination using tortoise shells.
-
Shì (筮): Divination using milfoil stalks.
According to legends, Fu Xi (伏羲) is credited with creating the Yijing (I Ching 易經), which laid the foundation for Chinese divination practices. Also known as the Book of Changes, it became a powerful tool for fortune-telling during the Zhou dynasty (1046 to 256 BC). The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) saw a diverse culture of fortune-telling. Fortune-tellers appeared in various ways, depicted in literature as individuals with distinctive attire and tools. They engaged with clients using their professional skills and had a significant social impact during this period.
In summary, Chinese divination has a long and fascinating history, with practices evolving over time. From ancient methods to the influential I-Ching, it remains an integral part of Chinese metaphysics and culture.
Yijing for Divination
The Yijing, or the Classic of Changes, is an ancient Chinese divination text that is among the oldest of the Chinese classics. The Yijing originated as a divination manual in the Western Zhou period (1000–750 BC). The core of the Yijing is a Western Zhou divination text called the Changes of Zhou (Chinese: 周易; pinyin: Zhōu yì). Modern scholars suggest dates ranging between the 10th and 4th centuries BC for the assembly of the text in approximately its current form.
Over the course of the Warring States and early imperial periods (500–200 BC), it transformed into a cosmological text with a series of philosophical commentaries known as the "Ten Wings". After becoming part of the Chinese Five Classics in the 2nd century BC, the Yijing was the basis for divination practice for centuries across the Far East and was the subject of scholarly commentary. It had a profound influence on the philosophy, religion, art, literature, politics, science, technology, and medicine of various cultures throughout East Asia. During the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, it took on an influential role in Western understanding of East Asian philosophical thought.
Each of the 64 possible sets corresponds to a hexagram, which can be looked up in the Yijing. The hexagrams are arranged in an order known as the King Wen sequence. The interpretation of the readings found in the Yijing has been discussed and debated over the centuries. Many commentators have used the book symbolically, often to provide guidance for moral decision-making, as informed by Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.
The Yijing does not return yes or no answers, but rather provides guidance and insight into the dynamics of a situation. It's always recommended to approach it with an open mind and interpret the readings in the context of your own experiences and circumstances.
Song dynasty depcition of Fu Xi