Da Yan Shi Fa (大衍筮法) — I Ching Yarrow Stalk Oracle
Experience the ancient yarrow stalk divination method recorded in the I Ching through vivid animations
Experience dividing, setting aside, and counting yourself
Click to begin your hands-on experience
Divination Progress
历史记录 (保存在浏览器中)
暂无历史记录
About Da Yan Shi Fa
Prepare the Stalks
Take fifty yarrow stalks, set one aside unused, and use forty-nine for divination, symbolizing Taiji generating the Two Forces.
Divide into Two
Randomly divide the stalks into left and right piles - left represents Heaven, right represents Earth.
Set One Aside
Take one stalk from the right pile and hold it between fingers, symbolizing humanity - Heaven, Earth, and Human.
Count by Fours
Count the left pile by groups of four, symbolizing the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Collect Remainders
Hold the remainder between fingers; after three changes, derive one line.
Three Changes, Six Lines
Dividing, setting aside, counting by fours, and collecting — repeated three times — completes one 'three-change' cycle, yielding a single line (value 6, 7, 8, or 9). Build upward from the bottom line; after six rounds (eighteen changes total), the primary and changed hexagrams emerge, ready for interpretation.
Historical Origins
Da Yan Shi Fa originates from the 'Commentary on the Appended Judgments' in the I Ching and is the most orthodox divination method in ancient China. Legend has it that Fuxi drew the Eight Trigrams, King Wen developed the I Ching, and Confucius wrote the Ten Wings. This method uses yarrow stalks as a medium, connecting heaven and humanity through rigorous mathematical reasoning.
"The number of the great expansion is fifty, of which forty-nine are used. Divide them into two lots to represent the two primal forces; set one aside to represent the three powers; count them by fours to represent the four seasons; return the remainder to symbolize the intercalary month." - I Ching, Commentary on the Appended Judgments
Visual Demonstration
Beautiful animations vividly display each step of Da Yan Shi Fa, making the ancient divination method engaging and intuitive.
Authentic Algorithm
Strictly follows the Da Yan Shi Fa method recorded in the I Ching, ensuring each hexagram is generated according to tradition.
Educational Value
Detailed step explanations and historical introduction help you deeply understand the principles and cultural significance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Da Yan Shi Fa
Related Reading
Explore the I Ching and traditional Chinese culture
A Deep Exploration of the Way of Sovereign and Minister in 'The Analects: Xian Wen' and the Contingency of Benevolence and Righteousness
This paper focuses on the core political discourse passages in 'The Analects: Xian Wen' concerning figures like Zang Wuzhong, Guan Zhong, and Duke Ling of Wei. It analyzes Confucius's profound insights into the sovereign-minister relationship, the distinction between hegemony and true kingship, and the calibration of benevolence (Ren) and righteousness (Yi), particularly investigating the gap between 'the difficulty of action' and 'the essence of Ren'.
The Evolution of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches and the Transformation of Dun Jia: A Unified Mathematical Metaphysical Study of the Information Capacity in Bazi and Qimen Dunjia
This paper systematically investigates the information-carrying capacity of Bazi (Eight Characters) and Qimen Dunjia (Mystical Gates) as divination systems, starting from the mathematical structure of Taiji, Liangyi, Sixiang, and Bagua in the *Book of Changes*. By analyzing the classical mathematical foundations such as Yin-Yang, Five Phases, the River Chart, and the Luo Script, it aims to provide a unified perspective for measuring and comparing the information density of these two divination arts.
A Detailed Inquiry into the Most Auspicious Hexagram Lines in the Zhou Yi: From 'Yuan Ji' to 'Ji Wu Buli'
This article deeply investigates the system of fortune and misfortune within the 384 line statements of the *Zhou Yi* (*I Ching*), focusing on analyzing the profound meaning of 'Auspiciousness' (Ji). By systematically examining and comparing 'Yuan Ji' (Primal Auspiciousness) and other high-level auspicious statements, the study aims to discern the most felicitous line in the *Zhou Yi* and reveal the underlying philosophical wisdom and practical guidance it offers.
The Metaphysical Foundations of Pre-Qin Qi Theory: Physical Reduction and Cognitive Paradigm Reconstruction
This paper examines the physical underpinnings of pre-Qin theories of *qi*, positing *qi* as a unified abstraction of matter, energy, and information. By analyzing texts such as those by Zhuangzi and Laozi, it reveals a cognitive revolution within pre-Qin thought, transitioning from mysticism towards naturalistic rationality and redefining the core value and scientific significance of *qi* in cosmology and life sciences.
The Essence of the 'Great Treatise A': A Philosophical Inquiry into the Gentleman's Establishment of Life and the Order of the *Yi*
This article deeply interprets the core proposition from the 'Great Treatise A'—'That which the gentleman dwells in and finds peace is the order of the *Yi*.' It examines how the gentleman, by internalizing the Way of Heaven and Earth and utilizing the *Book of Changes* as the foundation for establishing his life, achieves a state of 'auspiciousness without detriment' through observing the images and contemplating the textual explanations, situated within the Pre-Qin context and the Confucian tradition.
A Critical Analysis of 'Shen' and 'Zhi' in the Core Passages of the Guanzi's 'Nei Ye' and an Inquiry into Pre-Qin Theories of Mind and Nature
This paper offers an in-depth interpretation of the central passage in the *Guanzi*'s 'Nei Ye'—'That which can transform one thing is called *Shen* (Spirit/Divine); that which can change one affair is called *Zhi* (Wisdom)'—systematically reviewing the philosophical concepts of *Shen*, *Zhi*, *Jing* (Essence), *Qi* (Vital Force), and the *Dao* in the Pre-Qin period to elucidate their pivotal role in self-cultivation and the integration of inner sageliness with outer kingship.