The Second Chapter of the Book of Changes: The Principles of Symbolic Numbers

The oracle states: This cow will surely be slaughtered within twenty-one days. After twenty days, a person indeed bought this cow and killed it to reward the crowd, and everyone was astonished by it

Viewing the Plum Blossom (Example of divination by year, month, day, and hour)

Bagua directional map

The practice of divination through birds involves observing them. Whenever one sees a flock of birds, one should count their numbers, note their direction, listen to their calls, and discern the colors of their feathers, all of which can be used for divination. It is also essential to examine their names and meanings, observe their calls, and derive auspicious or inauspicious interpretations. When divining based on the number of birds seen, one interprets as follows: one bird corresponds to Qian, two birds to Dui, and three birds to Li. The direction observed corresponds to the numbers associated with the south and north, specifically Li for the south and Kan for the north. Listening to their calls, for instance, one call corresponds to Qian, two calls to Dui, and three calls to Li, all of which can be used to generate hexagrams. If the calls are loud and clamorous, it signifies disputes; if they are mournful, it indicates sorrow; and if they are clear and bright, it signifies good fortune. This is how one discerns auspicious and inauspicious sounds. Examining their names and meanings, for example, crows signify disaster, magpies signify joy, phoenixes and cranes are omens of good fortune, while eagles and penguins are considered ominous creatures.

On the 16th day of the 3rd month in the Year of the Snake, at the hour of the Rabbit, the gentleman and his guests went to Sima Gong's house to admire the peonies. At that time, the flowers were in full bloom, and a guest said, "With such abundant blossoms, is there a number associated with them?" The gentleman replied, "There is certainly a number. Moreover, we can inquire and derive it." They proceeded to calculate. Using the number 6 for the Year of the Snake, 3 for the 3rd month, and 16 for the 16th day, they totaled 25. Dividing by 3 gives 24, with a remainder of 1, which corresponds to Qian, forming the upper hexagram. For the hour of the Rabbit, they used the number 4, totaling 29. Again dividing by 3 gives 24, with a remainder of 5, which corresponds to Xun, forming the lower hexagram, resulting in the hexagram of Heaven and Wind. Again, using the total of 29, dividing by 6 gives 24, resulting in 5 moving lines, transforming into the Ding hexagram, mutually revealing the heavy Qian. The gentleman then said to his guests, "Strangely, these flowers will be trampled and destroyed by horses at noon tomorrow." The guests were astonished and disbelieving. However, at noon the next day, a noble official indeed came to view the peonies, and two horses began to bite each other, galloping among the flowers, trampling and destroying them all.

Xun: Wind, eldest daughter, monk and nun, chicken, thigh, a hundred birds, a hundred grasses, mortar, fragrance, odor, rope, eye, feather, sail, fan, branches and leaves, craftsmen of the immortal way, direct objects, exquisite tools. Azure green.

On the day of Jia Shen, at the hour of Mao, a rooster crowed from the direction of Qian, its sound extremely mournful, prompting divination. The rooster belongs to Xun, representing the upper trigram, while Qian represents the lower trigram, resulting in the hexagram of Wind over Heaven, known as Xiao Xu. By combining the five from Xun and one from Qian, we obtain a total of six; adding the four from the hour of Mao gives a total of ten. Dividing by six yields four, indicating a change in the fourth line of Qian, which corresponds to the sixth line of Xiao Xu. The I Ching states: "There is trust, blood departs, and there is no blame." This leads to the interpretation of the significance of sacrificing a rooster as per https://www.hetushu.com. The hexagram indicates Xiao Xu with Qian, mutually revealing Li and Dui. Qian, representing metal, is the essence, while Li, representing fire, overcomes it. The I Ching states: "There is trust, blood departs, and there is no blame." This leads to the interpretation of the significance of sacrificing a rooster as per https://www.hetushu.com. The hexagram indicates Xiao Xu with Qian, mutually revealing Li and Dui. Qian, representing metal, is the essence, while Li, representing fire, overcomes it. Within the hexagram, Xun wood and Li fire suggest the imagery of cooking.

The cow mourns.

The sound practitioner, though in a quiet room with nothing visible, can still discern the hexagrams from what is heard, whether by counting the sounds or verifying their directions; or by distinguishing the sounds of objects and detailing their affiliations, all of which can lead to the generation of hexagrams. Observing the emotions of joy and sorrow aids in determining auspiciousness or inauspiciousness. Counting the sounds, for instance, one sound corresponds to Qian, two sounds correspond to Dui. Verifying their directions, such as Li in the south and Kan in the north, is also applicable. For human voices and animal calls, sounds produced from the mouth correspond to Dui. In contrast, sounds from inanimate objects striking correspond to Zhen, such as the sounds of drums, mallets, and wooden boards; metal sounds correspond to Qian, including the sounds of bells, gongs, and cymbals; fire sounds correspond to Li, such as the sounds of roaring flames and firecrackers; earth sounds correspond to Kun, including foundational construction, pounding earth, landslides, and mountain fractures. This is how one distinguishes the sounds of objects and details their affiliations. Observing emotions of joy and sorrow aids in determining auspiciousness or inauspiciousness; for example, hearing laughter and joyful speech indicates happiness; whereas sounds of sorrow, weeping, complaints, lamentations, and curses indicate inauspiciousness.

The oracle states: Ascension implies the meaning of rising steps, with mutual resonance between Zhen and Dui, indicating that something has occurred. The division of the seat is noted. In the hexagram, Dui represents the mouth, while Kun represents the abdomen, relating to matters of sustenance, hence it is known that someone has extended an invitation. If there are not many guests, Kun stands alone, lacking the energy of similar hexagrams. If the wine does not intoxicate, it indicates that there is no Kan in the hexagram. The flavor is limited to chicken and millet, as Kun represents millet and grains. Therefore, the hexagram does not imply mutual generation, indicating that there is little wine and the food is not abundant.

Exchange: Marsh, Young Girl, Witch, Tongue, Concubine, Lung, Sheep, Ruined Objects, Mouth-Containing Utensils, Belonging to Metal, Defective Items, Servants, Maidservants. White.

The Wind Diviner, as it is called, perceives through the wind and interprets through the sight of birds. Whenever one observes and wishes to divine, it is essential to determine the direction from which the wind originates, and thus to generate the hexagram. It is also necessary to assess the timing and observe the colors to deduce the momentum, after which one can ascertain the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness. When the wind comes from the south, it signifies family members, as the south corresponds to the Li (Fire) element, resulting in the hexagram of Wind and Fire Family. When it comes from the east, it relates to the hexagram of Benefit. Assessing the timing means that spring brings forth a gentle and harmonious wind; summer brings nurturing winds; autumn brings a sense of austerity; and winter brings a piercing chill. When the wind comes from the south, it signifies family members, as the south corresponds to the Li (Fire) element, resulting in the hexagram of Wind and Fire Family. When it comes from the east, it relates to the hexagram of Benefit. Assessing the timing means that spring brings forth a gentle and harmonious wind; summer brings nurturing winds; autumn brings a sense of austerity; and winter brings a piercing chill. Observing the colors, if there is a haze or smoke, and the color appears yellow, it signifies auspicious energy; if it is green, it indicates a mix of fortune and misfortune; white signifies blades; black or dark hues indicate inauspiciousness; red signifies disaster; and purple or crimson indicates good fortune. Distinguishing the harmonious sounds and momentum, if the wind sounds like a galloping horse, it signifies conflict; if it resembles waves, it indicates danger; if it sounds mournful, it suggests worry; if it resembles music, it signifies joyful events; if it sounds like a clamor, it indicates chaos; if it resembles a fierce flame, it signifies a fire alarm. If the sound comes in a grand manner and gradually recedes, it is an omen of good fortune. Distinguishing the harmonious sounds and momentum, if the wind sounds like a galloping horse, it signifies conflict; if it resembles waves, it indicates danger; if it sounds mournful, it suggests worry; if it resembles music, it signifies joyful events; if it sounds like a clamor, it indicates chaos; if it resembles a fierce flame, it signifies a fire alarm. If the sound comes in a grand manner and gradually recedes, it is an omen of good fortune

Kan: water, rain, snow, work, pig, middle man, ditches, bow wheels, ear, blood, moon, theft, palace law, beam, thicket, fox, thistle, shackles, aquatic creatures, fish, salt, wine, fermented fish, nucleated objects, black

Qian: Heaven, Father, Elder, Noble Official, Head, Bone, Horse, Gold and Treasures, Pearls and Jades, Fruits, Round Objects, Crown, Mirror, Hard Objects, Great Red Color, Cold Water

Departing: fire, pheasant, sun, eye, electricity, rainbow, middle woman, armor, soldiers, documents, dead wood, furnace, beasts, crocodile, turtle, crab, clam, all shelled creatures, red, crimson, purple, patterned individuals, dry materials. Also a color

On a neighboring night, one knocks on the door to borrow an item, which is a common practice based on the sound heard.

Listen to the sound of occupation

Color verification

The method of divination for the day after tomorrow: use the object as the upper trigram and the direction as the lower trigram, combining the numerical values of the object trigram and the direction trigram with the time value to determine the changing line.

Shape occupies.

The gentleman occasionally observed the plaque of Xilin Temple, noting that the character "林" lacks the two strokes. Therefore, he took the character "西" with seven strokes as the trigram for "艮" and the character "林" with eight strokes as the trigram for "坤". The total of seven strokes above and eight strokes below amounts to fifteen strokes. Dividing fifteen by two yields six with a remainder of three, which corresponds to the hexagram for "Mountain and Earth" (剥卦). The third line is moving, transforming into "艮", resulting in the interlocking hexagram.

In divination, one should observe their own movements and stillness to determine the timeliness of matters. Therefore, when in motion, one should act swiftly to align with the number of the hexagram, taking half of it. When seated, matters will be delayed, and one should double the number of the hexagram to make a decision. When standing, there will be a mix of delay and swiftness, and one can determine based on the number of the hexagram. However, this is subject to change; for instance, in the case of divining peonies or observing plums, both flowers bloom in the morning and evening, indicating that it is not solely about the duration of the hexagram's formation.

To the south lies Nankan, to the north Zhendong, to the east Du, and to the west Xi; humanity exists in between.

Kun: Earth, Mother, Old Woman, Soil, Cow, Metal, Cloth, Literature, Carriage, Objects, Handle, Yellow, Pottery, Abdomen, Skirt, Black, Millet, Books, Rice, Grains

The oracle said: This chicken should be cooked in ten days. Indeed, ten days later, the guests arrived, and there was evidence of the chicken being cooked

Bird占

How is the situation today (in terms of sound)

On the day of Ji Chou, during the hour of Mao, while traveling, I encountered an elderly man heading towards the Xun direction, appearing troubled. I inquired about the source of his distress, to which he replied that there was none. Puzzled, I consulted the oracle. The elderly man, belonging to the Qian hexagram, represented the upper trigram, while the Xun direction represented the lower trigram, forming the hexagram of Tian Feng Jiao. Additionally, using the numbers of Qian (1) and Xun (5), and adding the number of the hour of Mao (4), the total is 10. Dividing by 6 yields 4, indicating a moving line, which corresponds to the 9th line of Tian Feng Jiao. The Book of Changes states: "There is no fish in the net, leading to misfortune." This interpretation is indeed ominous. Analyzing the hexagram, the Xun wood serves as the body, while the Qian metal overcomes it. The inter-hexagram also shows a strong Qian, indicating mutual overcoming, devoid of vitality. Moreover, since the time is spent traveling, the response should be swift. I divided the numbers used to form the hexagram and took half, advising the elderly man: "Exercise caution in your comings and goings within five days, for there may be grave misfortune." Indeed, five days later, the elderly man attended a banquet, where he met his end due to a fishbone lodged in his throat.

The rooster's mournful crow

On the day of Wuzi at the hour of Chen, while walking halfway, I came across a lush tree. There was no wind, yet withered branches fell to the ground in the direction of Dui. Upon divination, the withered wood represented Li, forming the upper trigram, while Dui formed the lower trigram, resulting in the hexagram of Fire over Marsh (Kui). With Dui representing two and Li three, and adding the number five from the hour of Chen, the total is ten. Subtracting six leaves four, transforming into Mountain over Marsh (Sun), which corresponds to the ninth line of Kui. The Book of Changes states: "Kui is solitary, encountering the true partner." The hexagram of Fire over Marsh transforms into Sun, revealing the interrelation of Kan and Li. Dui represents metal as the essence, while Li, representing fire, overcomes it. Moreover, the name of the hexagram Kui (Loss) carries connotations of injury and damage.

The elderly person is troubled (an example of divination using the Duan method)

On the day of Ren Shen at noon, a young man came from the Li direction, his joy evident on his face. When asked about the reason for his happiness, he replied that there was none. Upon divination, the young man was associated with the Gen hexagram as the upper trigram and Li as the lower trigram, resulting in the hexagram of Mountain Fire (Bi). By adding 7 from Gen, 3 from Li, and 7 from noon, the total is 17. Dividing by 12 leaves a remainder of 5, indicating the moving line. The sixth line of Bi states: "Bi in the hill garden, binding silk threads, it is regrettable, but ultimately auspicious." The text of the I Ching has already indicated good fortune. The hexagram represents the family of Bi, with mutual appearances of Zhen and Kan, with Li as the essence, and mutual transformations giving rise to each other. The interpretation states: within 17 days, there will surely be a joyful occasion regarding betrothal gifts. When the time came, the engagement was indeed confirmed.

Moreover, a person of pure Yang resides in the hexagram of pure Yin, thus it is not auspicious. There is also the implication of a group of Yin stripping away Yang, leading to calamities for the Yin individuals. If the character "林" is added with two strokes, it becomes ten strokes; subtracting eight leaves two, which corresponds to the Dui hexagram. Combining it with the Gen hexagram results in the hexagram of Mountain and Marsh, known as Sun. The fifth line changes, transforming into the Zhongfu hexagram, with the interhexagrams showing Kun and Zhen. What is diminished is increased, utilizing the mutual generation of both, resulting in an auspicious hexagram. Thus, peace can be attained.

The oracle states: The body is represented by the wood of Xun, while the metal of Qian overcomes it. The interchanging hexagram also reveals the heavy influence of Qian, and there are many hexagrams that can overcome the body. There is no vitality within the hexagram, thus the peony must inevitably be trampled. The so-called horse refers to Qian as the horse. The time of noon symbolizes the brightness of Li, hence this understanding.

The above is the initial number, used to generate the hexagram, referred to as the pre-heavenly numbers of hetushucom.com

A withered branch falls to the ground

Wind perception occupies

Gen: mountain, earth, young man, boy, dog, finger, path, door threshold, fruit, melon, castrated temple, rat, tiger, fox, species with dark beaks, things born of wood, things born of vines, claw, nose. Yellow

The aforementioned examples of divination are based on obtaining the hexagram first, from which the numbers are derived, referred to as the numbers of the postnatal realm

Thunder: thunder, eldest son, feet, hair, dragon, myriad insects, hooves, bamboo, bulrush, horse neighing, mother feet, temples, crops, musical instruments, plants, verdant green, trees, wood cores, firewood, snakes

The one who occupies the form of objects can initiate divination upon seeing the shape of an object. If the object is round, it belongs to Qian; if it is rigid, it belongs to Dui; if it is square, it belongs to Kun; if it is soft, it belongs to Xun; if it is upright, it belongs to Zhen; if it is inverted, it belongs to Gen; if it is elongated, it belongs to Xun; if it is firm in the center and soft on the outside, it belongs to Kan; if it is soft on the inside and firm on the outside, it belongs to Li; if it is dry and withered, it belongs to Li; if it has patterns or colors, it also belongs to Li; and if it has the force of obstruction or is broken, it belongs to Dui.

The oracle states: A temple is a place of pure Yang. Now, the hexagram has received the heavy Yin line, and there are signs of many Yins stripping away the Yang. Upon careful consideration, it can be concluded that there will be calamities from Yin beings within the temple. Upon inquiry, it was indeed confirmed, and it was suggested to the temple monks: "Why not add two strokes to the character 'Lin'? Then naturally, there will be no calamities from Yin beings." The monks believed this and promptly added two strokes to the character 'Lin', and the temple was indeed free from troubles

The plaque of Xilin Temple occupies (an example of the character painting占)

On the day of Gui-Mao at the hour of Wu, there was the sound of a cow mooing in the Kan direction, the sound was extremely sorrowful, thus it was divined. The cow belongs to Kun, representing the upper hexagram, while the Kan direction represents the lower hexagram. The combination of Kan six and Kun results in twenty-one when adding the hour of Wu, which when divided by three yields eighteen. The third line moving corresponds to the third line of the Earth-Water army. The text of the I Ching states: "The army may carry corpses, which is ominous." The hexagram then transforms into the army rising, with Kun and Zhen in mutual interaction, where Kun serves as the body, and the mutual transformations are all mutually restraining, lacking any vitality.

Peony divination

A guest inquired: "How is the situation today?" I proceeded to interpret these six characters. Taking the three characters "today's movement" as the upper hexagram. "Today" is in a level tone, counting as 1; "day" is in a checked tone, counting as 4; "movement" is in a departing tone, counting as 3, totaling 8, which corresponds to the hexagram Kun for the upper hexagram. For the lower hexagram, using "how is it quiet," "quiet" is in a departing tone, counting as 3; "how" is in a level tone, counting as 1; "is" is in a level tone, counting as 1, totaling 5, which corresponds to the hexagram Xun for the lower hexagram. Additionally, summing 8 and 5 gives 13, dividing by 2 yields 6, with a remainder of 1, resulting in the hexagram of Earth and Wind Rising. Using "how is it quiet" for the lower hexagram again, "quiet" is in a departing tone, counting as 3; "how" is in a level tone, counting as 1; "is" is in a level tone, counting as 1, totaling 5, which corresponds to the hexagram Xun for the lower hexagram. Again, summing 8 and 5 gives 13, dividing by 2 yields 6, with a remainder of 1, resulting in the hexagram of Earth and Wind Rising. The initial line moves, transforming into the hexagram Tai, with mutual appearances of Zhen and Dui. I told the guest: "Today, someone has invited me; there are not many guests, the wine is not intoxicating, and the flavor is merely that of millet and chicken." In the evening, it indeed turned out to be so

The youth displays a joyful expression

On the 17th day of the 12th month in the year of Chen, during the hour of Shen, Mr. Kang Jie happened to observe a plum tree and saw two sparrows fighting over a branch, which fell to the ground. Mr. Kang remarked: "Not moving, not occupying; not concerning matters, not occupying. Now, the two sparrows fighting over a branch and falling to the ground is indeed strange." He then proceeded to make a divination. The number for the year of Chen is 5, for the 12th month is 12, and for the 17th day is 17, totaling 34. Dividing by 4 gives 8 with a remainder of 2, which belongs to Dui, forming the upper hexagram. Adding the number for the hour of Shen, which is 9, the total becomes 43. Dividing 58 by 40 gives a remainder of 3, which corresponds to Li, forming the lower hexagram. Furthermore, the total of the upper and lower hexagrams is 43, and dividing by 6 gives 7 with a remainder of 1, indicating a moving line, resulting in the hexagram of Zhe Huo Ge. The number for the year of Chen is 5, for the 12th month is 12, and for the 17th day is 17, totaling 34. Dividing by 4 gives 8 with a remainder of 2, which belongs to Dui, forming the upper hexagram. Adding the number for the hour of Shen, which is 9, the total becomes 43. Dividing 58 by 40 gives a remainder of 3, which corresponds to Li, forming the lower hexagram. Furthermore, the total of the upper and lower hexagrams is 43, and dividing by 6 gives 7 with a remainder of 1, indicating a moving line, resulting in the hexagram of Zhe Huo Ge. The initial line changes to Xian, mutually revealing Qian and Xun.

The child said: "The one with short metal and long wood is a tool, specifically the hoe that is borrowed." The teacher replied: "No, it must be the axe." Upon hearing this, he indeed borrowed the axe. When his child asked why, the teacher said: "To understand the numbers, one must also grasp the principles. By interpreting the hexagrams, both the axe and the hoe are acceptable; however, by reasoning, can the hoe be used in the evening? It must be the axe. The axe is specifically for chopping wood. Understanding the numbers must also align with the principles, as this is essential for divination. If the numbers do not align with the principles, it is not correct. Those who study numbers should be determined!" The axe is specifically for chopping wood. Understanding the numbers must also align with the principles, as this is essential for divination. If the numbers do not align with the principles, it is not correct. Those who study numbers should be determined!

The oracle states: "Upon examining this hexagram, it is clear that tomorrow evening a young woman will be picking flowers, and the gardener, unaware, will chase her away. The young woman, startled, will fall to the ground and injure her thigh. The right side represents the metal of Dui, while Li, the fire, overcomes it. Within the interstices lies the wood of Xun, and if Li rises three times, it will strengthen the hexagram's energy. Dui symbolizes a young girl, hence the knowledge of her injury. The wood of Xun, being overcome by the metal of Qian and Dui, indicates that the wood is harmed, and since Xun represents the thigh, this corresponds to the injury of the thigh. Fortunately, it transforms into the earth of Gen, allowing Dui metal to thrive, indicating that the young woman is merely injured and not in grave danger. Dui symbolizes a young girl, hence the knowledge of her injury. The wood of Xun, being overcome by the metal of Qian and Dui, indicates that the wood is harmed, and since Xun represents the thigh, this corresponds to the injury of the thigh. Fortunately, it transforms into the earth of Gen, allowing Dui metal to thrive, indicating that the young woman is merely injured and not in grave danger.

The Bagua categorizes all things (and serves as the upper trigram)

All colors associated with blue belong to Zhen, those of red, purple, and crimson belong to Li, yellow belongs to Kun, white belongs to Dui, and black belongs to Kan, among others

It is stated: This tree is to be felled in ten days. After ten days, the tree will be cut down to build a public pavilion, and the carpenter happens to inscribe the words "Yuanfu".

The initiation of the hexagram (establishing the hexagram based on the post-heaven arrangement)

On a winter evening at the hour of You, the gentleman was in attendance when there was a knock at the door. Initially, there was a single knock that ceased, followed by five knocks, accompanied by a request to borrow something. The gentleman instructed that no words be spoken and asked his son to determine what was being borrowed. The single knock, associated with Qian, represented the upper trigram, while the five knocks, associated with Xun, represented the lower trigram. Together, one Qian and five Xun formed a total of six, and when added to the number corresponding to the hour of You, they totaled sixteen. Dividing by six yielded two, with a remainder of four, resulting in twelve, which corresponds to the hexagram of Heaven and Wind, Guo. The fourth line transforms into the Xun hexagram, revealing a mutual presence of heavy Qian. Within the hexagram, there are three Qian (metal) and two Xun (wood), indicating a relationship between metal and wood. Furthermore, since Qian (metal) is short and Xun (wood) is long, this signifies the borrowing of an axe. The single knock, associated with Qian, represented the upper trigram, while the five knocks, associated with Xun, represented the lower trigram. Together, one Qian and five Xun formed a total of six, and when added to the number corresponding to the hour of You, they totaled sixteen. Dividing by six yielded two, with a remainder of four, resulting in twelve, which corresponds to the hexagram of Heaven and Wind, Guo. The fourth line transforms into the Xun hexagram, revealing a mutual presence of heavy Qian. Within the hexagram, there are three Qian (metal) and two Xun (wood), indicating a relationship between metal and wood. Furthermore, since Qian (metal) is short and Xun (wood) is long, this signifies the borrowing of an axe.