The Three Great Methods of I Ching Divination: From Ancient Sticks to Spontaneous Numbers

A journey through the Da Yan, Na Jia, and Mei Hua Yi Shu methods, exploring how ancient wisdom evolved to answer life’s biggest questions.

The I Ching, or Book of Changes, stands as one of the most profound and enigmatic texts in human history.

Each method offers a unique lens through which to view the world, born from a different era and philosophy.

1. The Original Way: Da Yan Shi Fa (The Great Expansion / Yarrow Stick Method)

The Da Yan method is the most ancient and revered form of I Ching divination. This is the original, ritualistic process described in the appendices of the I Ching itself.

The complexity is intentional.

2. The People’s Revolution: Na Jia Fa (The Six Lines / Coin Method)

While the Yarrow Stick method was profound, its complexity made it inaccessible for many. During the Han Dynasty, the brilliant scholar Jing Fang revolutionized the practice.

Jing Fang’s first innovation was a radical simplification of the casting process. This is the “Coin-for-Yarrow” method known by many today.

But his true genius was in creating a new interpretive framework. This shifted the focus of interpretation. This method provides remarkably specific and accurate answers to everyday questions, which led to its widespread popularity.

3. Divination from Everything: Mei Hua Yi Shu (Plum Blossom Numerology)

Centuries later, during the Song Dynasty, the legendary sage Shao Kangjie introduced another paradigm shift with his creation of Mei Hua Yi Shu, or Plum Blossom Numerology. If Jing Fang simplified the tools of divination, Shao Kangjie made them unnecessary altogether.

Legend says Shao Kangjie developed the system after observing two sparrows fighting on a plum branch. By noting the date, time, and branch number, he calculated a hexagram that accurately predicted a young girl would fall from the tree the next day while trying to pick blossoms.

Which Path to Choose?

Each method offers a valid path to insight, and the best one often depends on the situation. The Yarrow Stick method is ideal for deep philosophical inquiry and study of the classic text. The Coin Method (Na Jia) excels at providing clear, practical answers to specific life questions. The Plum Blossom method (Mei Hua) is perfect for spontaneous divination when no tools are at hand.

Furthermore, it’s important to understand that in actual Chinese divination practice, these methods are often not mutually exclusive. A skilled practitioner might combine approaches, using techniques from different systems — including other forms of numerical analysis — to supplement one another. They act as complementary sources of information, allowing the diviner to cross-reference insights to obtain a more complete and accurate answer.

Ultimately, all these methods operate on the same fundamental principle: that by using a sincere heart and a structured method to engage with randomness, we can bypass our conscious biases and tap into the deeper patterns of reality, gaining a glimpse of the “will of Heaven.” They are a testament to the ancient Chinese understanding of fate, nature, and the elegant, underlying science of the cosmos.

In China, there’s a saying that most people begin their journey with the I Ching by learning divination. Over time, as they go deeper, they gradually come to understand the cosmic principles described by the I Ching. That’s why it’s also said, “Those who truly understand the I Ching do not divine” — meaning that once you’ve mastered the I Ching, you no longer need divination to foresee the development and direction of events. The I Ching is truly a remarkable and mysterious book. I sincerely hope that one day you, too, will reach this level of understanding.