Wen Wang Gua

Wen Wang Gua, also known as the Six Line Method, is an advanced form of I Ching divination based on the interpretation of the 64 hexagrams.

Its origins are traditionally linked to the Han dynasty, drawing on the system of the Eight Palaces attributed to the scholar Jing Fang. However, it is likely that the method was further developed and refined during the Song dynasty (around 1000 AD).

Method

In Wen Wang Gua, a hexagram is cast with one or more changing lines, typically using coins or yarrow stalks. The interpretation is based not only on the hexagram itself, but also on the dynamic relationships between its lines.

A Technical System

This method provides a high level of detail and precision in analysing a situation, making it one of the most comprehensive forms of I Ching divination.

However, it is also the most complex. Its practice requires a solid foundation in Chinese metaphysics, including:

• The Ten Heavenly Stems
• The Twelve Earthly Branches
• The Sixty Pillars
• The Six Relationships
• The Eight Palaces

For this reason, Wen Wang Gua is generally reserved for advanced practitioners.