Essential Classics of I Ching Divination – Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao), Wen Wang Gua, and the Na Jia Method: English Editions Now Available, Complete with Difficulty Levels, Target Readership, and Study Notes

These classical texts are essential reading for anyone studying I Ching divination—especially Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua with the Na Jia Method. Modern Six Lines practice consistently draws on these sources. Among them, Zengshan Buyi (I Ching Divination – Complete and Restored) by Wild Crane Elder (Yehe Elder) is the standout classic—All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage); every pass yields fresh insight into line dynamics, timing, and judgment.

Below, you’ll find a curated list of must-read classics. Some related works—such as Donglin Secret Manual (洞林秘诀) and other companion texts—have been edited, annotated, and thoughtfully integrated by Xuan Wanyan into the most suitable volumes for publication, so readers can study them in context without fragmentation. Put simply, serious study of I Ching divination cannot avoid the books listed here.

To make your path clearer, this article orders the titles from easier to harder—progressing from fundamentals to advanced research—and adds a difficulty label and target readership for each book (Beginner-Friendly, Intermediate, Advanced, Mastery, and All Levels). The ordering also reflects a composite frequency: how often each book is cited by other classics, how frequently it is discussed by today’s Six Lines learners online, and—where available—its relative sales ranking in China’s book market. This is an informed yet inevitably subjective roadmap designed to help you build mastery step by step.

I Ching Divination – Complete and Restored (增删卜易, Zengshan Buyi)

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The Orthodox Method of I Ching Divination (卜筮正宗, Bushi Zhengzong) – “Golden Strategy”

Author: Wang Hongxu – Qing Dynasty (circa 1709)
A rigorous system of Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua, answering key questions, resolving textual debates, and integrating Golden Strategy and other classic odes. Esteemed as a central reference for Wen Wang Gua practice. Annotated English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟 Beginner-Friendly

🌟🌟 Intermediate

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Bushi Zhengzong

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Fire Pearl Forest – I Ching (Six Lines) Divination Classical Text (火珠林, Huo Zhu Lin)

Author: Ma Yi Daoren – Tang to Five Dynasties (circa 900 CE)
One of the earliest systematic expositions of the Na Jia Method, shaping later Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua practice. Revered for its structured logic and theoretical depth. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟🌟 Intermediate

🌟🌟🌟 Advanced

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Huo Zhu Lin

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Undersea Eye – The Core Principles of I Ching (Six Lines) Divination (海底眼, Haidi Yan)

Attributed to: Wang Zi, recompiled by He Shen, revised by Xu Dasheng – Southern Song (before 1244 CE)
A concise yet profound treatise on the foundations of Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua. Covers five elements, six relationships, and line movement rules within the Na Jia framework. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟🌟 Intermediate

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Haidi Yan

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Collected Insights on I Ching Divination (易洞林, Yi Donglin) Includes Donglin Secret Manual 洞林秘诀, Guo Shi Donglin 郭氏洞林, Zhouyi Donglin 周易洞林

Attributed to: Guo Pu – Western Jin Dynasty (276–324 CE)
A reconstructed archive of early Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua cases, preserving historical records of the Na Jia Method. Valued for tracing the roots of classical practice. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty:

🌟🌟 Intermediate

🌟🌟🌟 Advanced

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Yi Donglin

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Hidden Principles Ode: A Classic of I Ching (Six Lines) Divination (阐奥歌章, Chan Ao Ge Zhang)

Author: Unknown – Song to Yuan period (960–1368)
A poetic distillation of Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua methods, containing twenty-five concise verses cited across major classics, such as Zengshan Buyi and Bushi Zhengzong. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟 Beginner-Friendly

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Chan Ao Ge Zhang

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Principles and Odes of I Ching Divination: Including Mysterious and Subtle Discourse and Celestial Mysteries Ode (通玄妙论, Tong Xuan Miao Lun and 天玄赋, Tian Xuan Fu)

Author: Unknown – Song to Yuan period (960–1368)
Influential odes offering mnemonic verses and theoretical guidance for Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua within the Na Jia system. Covers six gods, line movements, voids, elemental interactions. Core learning aids widely cited in later classics. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟 Beginner-Friendly

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Tong Xuan Miao Lun & Tian Xuan Fu

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Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (周易古筮考, Zhouyi Gushi Kao)

Author: Shang Binghe – Late Qing Dynasty (circa 1880–1910)
Over 160 historical divinations from nearly 3,000 years of Chinese records, showing I Ching’s impact on China’s political history and the applied logic of Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao), Wen Wang Gua, and classical methods. Indispensable for advanced study. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟🌟 Intermediate

🌟🌟🌟 Advanced

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Mastery

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Zhouyi Gushi Kao

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The Complete Book of Divination (卜筮全书, Bushi Quanshu)

Author: Liu Bowen – Ming Dynasty (1311–1375)
A Ming-era compendium integrating primers, case rules, and core odes such as Golden Strategy and Celestial Mysteries. Essential for understanding Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua in a structured sequence. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟 Beginner-Friendly

🌟🌟 Intermediate

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Bushi Quanshu

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Unveiling Forces in I Ching Divination (易冒, Yi Mao)

Author: Cheng Liangyu – Qing Dynasty (Kangxi Era, 17th century)
A detailed treatise on Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua, expounding line dynamics, hidden lines, and kin relationships. Reflects the scholarly refinement of the Na Jia Method in Qing practice. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟 Beginner-Friendly

🌟🌟 Intermediate

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Yi Mao

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I Ching Forest (易林, Yi Lin)

Author: Jiao Gan – Western Han Dynasty (1st century BCE, attrib.)
Extends sixty-four hexagrams into 4,096 variations, each matched with poetic “forest verses.” Preserves symbolic imagery later absorbed into I Ching Diviantion practice. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟🌟🌟 Advanced

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Mastery

Note：This work is better suited as a reference and tool book, and is not appropriate for beginners.

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Yi Lin

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Supplement to the I Ching Forest (易林补遗, Yi Lin Bu Yi)

Author: Zhang Shibao – Ming Dynasty (16th century)
An expansion of Yi Lin, offering 145 entries across fields such as astronomy, politics, agriculture, and daily life. Applies symbolic methods within Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟🌟🌟 Advanced

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Mastery

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Yi Lin Bu Yi

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I Ching Divination Guide (卜筮元龟, Bushi Yuangui)

Author: Li Xiang – Yuan Dynasty (14th century)
A practical handbook for interpreting hexagrams and lines, with abundant examples. Influential in codifying Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua within the Na Jia tradition. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty: All Levels (valuable to reread at any stage of learning)

🌟 Beginner-Friendly

🌟🌟 Intermediate

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Bushi Yuangui

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Celestial Secrets of I Ching Divination (断易天机, Duanyi Tianji)

Author: Shao Yong – Northern Song Dynasty (1011–1077)
Explains practical rules and case examples of Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua, merging yin-yang and five elements with Na Jia allocation. A vital text in Song metaphysical learning. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan.

Difficulty:

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Mastery

Note：Without a solid foundation, it is easy to be misled by the book’s scattered content and lose focus. Not recommended for beginners.

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Duanyi Tianji

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The Concealed Dimensions of I Ching Divination (易隐, Yi Yin)

Author: Cao Jiuxi – Qing Dynasty (18th century)
An advanced synthesis of Chen Tuan’s cosmology and later Na Jia refinements, expanding the system of Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua. Explores long-term cycles and innovative techniques. English edition prepared by Xuan Wanyan. Integrates Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao), Purple Star Astrology (Zi Wei Dou Shu), Four Pillars of Destiny (Ba Zi), and other traditional Chinese metaphysical arts.

Difficulty:

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Mastery

Note：Without a solid foundation, it is easy to be misled by the book’s scattered content and lose focus. Not recommended for beginners.

➡️ Read the full blog introduction to Yi Yin

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The classics listed above form the backbone of I Ching divination, Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao), and Wen Wang Gua with the Na Jia Method. Each text represents a milestone in the transmission of Chinese metaphysical wisdom, from practical case collections to advanced theoretical odes. Together, they provide a roadmap for learners at every level—whether you are just beginning with Zengshan Buyi or advancing into the depths of Zhouyi Gushi Kao and Yi Yin.

For modern readers, these English editions prepared by Xuan Wanyan make it possible to engage with centuries of accumulated knowledge in an accessible way, while remaining faithful to the original depth.

📖 To deepen your journey:

• Explore the individual blog introductions linked above for each book.
• Visit our Books page and Divination Tools to connect theory with practice.
• Join our community at ichingstream.com to receive study resources, the Chinese Perpetual/Lunar Calendar, and updates on upcoming publications.