Complete Guide to Liuyao Coin Divination Method

Introduction

Liuyao coin divination (also known as "coin oracle method") is one of the most classic divination methods in the I-Ching system. Ancient practitioners used yarrow stalks for divination. Later generations simplified the operation by replacing yarrow stalks with three coins, forming today's coin divination method.

This method features clear and rigorous rules with simple operation, requiring no complex tools - just three coins for divination. This article will provide you with detailed steps, key rules, and interpretation techniques for coin divination, making it an essential skill for learning Liuyao divination.

Preparation Before Divination

Three Coins

It's best to use three identical ancient Chinese coins (such as Qianlong Tongbao). If unavailable, three identical modern coins work as well. Conventionally, the side with Chinese characters (like "One Yuan") is the heads (yang side), and the side with patterns (like national emblem, designs) is the tails (yin side).

Environment

Find a quiet, undisturbed place with a clear mind.

Mental Focus

Silently contemplate the matter you wish to divine for about one minute, clearly visualizing the question in your mind. The question must be specific, not vague or joking.

Divination Steps (Six Castings Required)

Each coin combination has four possible results, each corresponding to one "line," building the hexagram from bottom to top, completing it in six castings.

Coin Combination and Line Correspondence Rules (Key):

Three tails (three yin): Called "Old Yang", recorded as ━━━ ○ (changing line)
Three heads (three yang): Called "Old Yin", recorded as ━ ━ × (changing line)
Two heads one tail (one yin two yang): Called "Young Yang", recorded as ━━━ (static line)
Two tails one head (one yang two yin): Called "Young Yin", recorded as ━ ━ (static line)

Summary Mnemonic:

Two tails one head = Young Yin (yin line ━ ━) Two heads one tail = Young Yang (yang line ━━━) Three heads = Old Yin (yin changing to yang ×) Three tails = Old Yang (yang changing to yin ○)

Specific Operations:

Hold three coins in your palms, clasp hands together, focus your intention on the matter to be divined.
Shake the coins in your hands, then cast them onto a table or clean container.
Observe the heads/tails combination, record the first result according to the above rules.
- The first casting result is the bottom line (first line).
Repeat the above process. Cast six times total, recording from bottom to top to get the second line, third line, fourth line, fifth line, and the top sixth line.

Example

Suppose you're asking about career prospects, and cast six times with these results:

First cast: Two heads one tail → Young Yang ━━━ (first line)
Second cast: Two tails one head → Young Yin ━ ━ (second line)
Third cast: Three heads → Old Yin ━ ━ × (third line)
Fourth cast: Two heads one tail → Young Yang ━━━ (fourth line)
Fifth cast: Three tails → Old Yang ━━━ ○ (fifth line)
Sixth cast: Two tails one head → Young Yin ━ ━ (sixth line)

The resulting hexagram (original hexagram) is:

Sixth line (top)     ━ ━
Fifth line          ━━━ ○  (Old Yang, changing line)
Fourth line         ━━━
Third line          ━ ━ ×  (Old Yin, changing line)
Second line         ━ ━
First line (bottom) ━━━

This hexagram is Lake over Thunder (Following), with the third and fifth lines as changing lines.

Changing Hexagram and Interpretation

Determine Original Hexagram

The original hexagram symbol formed from the six recorded lines is called the "original hexagram" (like the After Completion hexagram in the example above).

Identify Changing Lines

Lines marked with ○ or × are changing lines.

Determine Changing Hexagram

Transform all changing lines in the original hexagram (Old Yin × becomes yang line, Old Yang ○ becomes yin line) to form a new hexagram, called the "changing hexagram" or "future hexagram".

In the above example, the third line (Old Yin ×) changes from yin to yang, and the fifth line (Old Yang ○) changes from yang to yin. The resulting new hexagram is Thunder over Fire (Abundance).

Interpretation

If no changing lines: interpret directly using the original hexagram's statement.
If one changing line: focus on that changing line's statement in the original hexagram.
If two changing lines: examine both changing lines' statements, with the upper line taking priority.
If three changing lines: consider both original and changing hexagrams' statements, with the original taking priority.
If more than three changing lines: focus on the changing hexagram's statement.

Finally, you need to consult the I-Ching text to interpret the hexagram statements and line statements of both the original and changing hexagrams, combining them with your specific question for comprehensive judgment.

Important Notes

Sincerity brings efficacy: Be sincere and focused when divining, not casual or playful.
One matter per hexagram: Ask only one question at a time, don't ask multiple questions in one casting.
Don't cast carelessly: Don't repeatedly divine the same matter because you're unsatisfied with the result.
The wise rarely divine: Those truly proficient in the Way focus more on natural patterns and virtue, not frequent divination.

To experience AI-assisted Liuyao analysis, visit: FateMaster.AI Liuyao Divination