History of the I Ching (Classic of Changes)

Fu Hsi, the mytical creator of pa-kua, the eight trigrames

I Ching or the Classic of Changes (from "I", meaning "change", and "Ching", meaning "classic") is one of the fundamental books of the classical Chinese culture.  Every element of the Chinese culture is considered to have been influenced by this book or to have influenced it.

I Ching was read and completed by Confucius himself, if it is to believe what the historian Ssu-ma Ch'ian said. Confucius himself declared that the study of this book would helped him escaping from many dangers. he referred the oracular function of this work.

Confucius contributed himself to the wealth of the book by writing  its commentaries

Moreover, I Ching is the only book saved from the arson ordered by the first emperor of China Ch'in Shih-huang-di, in 213 AD. The emperor himself used this book as an oracle.

The antiquity of Classic of Changes  is traditionally considerable. It seems to be the creation of the cultural ancestor Fu Hsi, a mytical God-like being, of a remarkable  nature (a dragon), who would have created the first eight trigrams - pa-kua - and the oracle with yarrow stalks.

It is certain that the genuine version of this classic was systematized by King Wen and by Duke of Chou, who wrote the names (description) and judgements - Wen - and the texts of the lines - Duke of Chou.

• The  oracle

The eight trigrams - pa-kua

I Ching may be used as an oracular means to inquire into the future. You just formulate your in your mind, and consult the oracle. There are 2 consulting methods: the yarrow stalks method, and the coins method.

What is most important is the fact that unlike other oracles, I Ching functioning is based on the influence of the spirit-like entities like yarrow stalks.

Moreover, the oracle functioning is explained by the use of synchronicity theory developed by C.G. Jung himself. Jung wrote a valuable preface to this classic, showing how to use it as an oracle.

• Online Resources:

-> Learn more about the Oracle of Changes here
-> Consult the Oracle online here
-> I Ching, Legge version online
-> I Ching, Wilhelm version online