About
What is the I Ching?
The I Ching (pronounced "ee cheeng" or "yi jing"), also known as the Book of Changes, is one of the oldest Chinese texts. It serves as both divination manual and philosophical work, with countless editions, translations, and commentaries produced over the ages. Using a system of 64 hexagrams, the I Ching provides insights into situations, life changes, and decisions. The text emphasizes change as a fundamental aspect of existence, and offers wisdom for navigating life's complexities.What is iching,io?
An app for divination, journaling, and managing change. We provide a modern interface for consulting the I Ching and attaching journal entries to help you build a practice of self-reflection and growth.What platforms do you support?
We're currently focused on iOS, with a web/PWA adaptation in development.How does this app work with the I Ching?
iching.io offers a unique approach to consulting the I Ching by using AI image analysis to generate your hexagrams. When you upload an image, our AI interprets its patterns and qualities, transforming them into the six lines of your hexagram. This process mirrors the traditional three-coin method, but generates all six lines simultaneously. Great care was taken to ensure that the probabilities of generating yin or yang lines, as well as moving lines, match those of a real physical coin toss. This allows you to use the app not only as an alternative to the traditional three-coin method, but also for exploring new dimensions in your interaction with the I Ching.What makes iching.io different from other I Ching apps?
Unlike traditional I Ching apps that use random number generation or coin tosses, our app creates hexagrams through AI image analysis. The resulting hexagram inherits qualities from both your chosen image and our advanced analytical process. For the curious, our approach combines traditional machine learning with stochastic and chaotic models that closely mirror the patterns of organic processes (like water or sound waves). This unique combination of factors creates results that are more "real" than simple yes/no answers. In our hexagram summaries, we also focus specifically on Daoist and mystical interpretations of the I Ching, rather than Confucian sociology, making the wisdom more applicable to modern life. We also include features for journaling, tracking related readings, and building a personal history of insights.Is this app meant to replace traditional I Ching consultation methods?
No. While this app offers an alternative, technologically-enhanced approach to I Ching consultation, it's not intended to replace traditional methods entirely. We encourage users to explore various approaches to the I Ching, and discover what resonates best with them. You may find that some readings are more suited to traditional methods, while others work best with iching.io. We have also left the door open, through journaling, to combine both approaches into your own searchable divination guide. Remember, this app is not intended to be:- -A fortune-telling tool or predictor of specific future events
- -A substitute for professional advice (medical, legal, financial, etc.)
- -A complete scholarly resource for I Ching study
- -A traditional I Ching consultation method
How often should I consult the I Ching through the app?
This is a personal choice that depends on your relationship with divination and your current life circumstances. The I Ching can be approached in different ways: as a daily practice for reflection, as a guide for significant decisions, or as an occasional tool for deeper insight. Each person's practice tends to evolve naturally over time, finding its own rhythm. Some might go through periods of frequent consultation during major life changes, followed by times of less frequent engagement. Others might maintain a consistent practice schedule. Our approach in designing iching.io is to accommodate both daily and long-term users. Daily users can easily review their recent divinations, while long-term practitioners can search through important journal entries for insights. This open-ended approach allows you to uncover connections that might be difficult to spot when viewing each divination in isolation..Where can I learn more about the I Ching?
We recommend starting with these contemporary authors and texts: "The Complete I Ching" by Alfred Huang Offers a clear, modern translation with emphasis on spiritual
aspects
"The I Ching Plain and Simple" by Benebell Wen Provides an accessible approach to I Ching divination
"The Living I Ching" by Deng Ming-Dao Explores practical applications of I Ching wisdom
"Understanding the I Ching" by Richard Wilhelm and Cary
F. Baynes A classic translation with psychological insights