The Practice of Divination in Ancient China

Divination, a practice to forecast future events, was widespread in ancient China dating back to the 9th century BCE. The Book of Changes, or the I Ching, compiled nearly 3000 years ago, holds a central place in divination. Divination involved interpreting hexagram symbols made up of lines representing yin and yang and using milfoil or yarrow stocks to determine appropriate hexagrams related to an inquirer's question. Early Chinese engaged in divination to resolve doubt, confirm intentions, and commune with spirits.