How the I Ching three-coin method works
A six-line cast uses three coins thrown six times. Each throw becomes one line, and the lines are written from the bottom upward.
Count the three coins
In the traditional method, one face is counted as three and the other as two. Add the values from all three coins. The total is always six, seven, eight, or nine:
| Total | Traditional name | Line | Changing? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Old yin | Broken yin | Yes, changes to yang |
| 7 | Young yang | Solid yang | No |
| 8 | Young yin | Broken yin | No |
| 9 | Old yang | Solid yang | Yes, changes to yin |
Record six throws in order
Write the first throw at the bottom. The second goes above it, and each later throw is added on top. After the sixth throw, the bottom-to-top sequence forms the primary hexagram. Mark totals of six and nine as changing lines; changing those lines produces the relating hexagram.
Keep the question focused
Before casting, phrase one question about a situation you can reflect on. Avoid repeating the same question to chase a preferred answer. A chart can be a prompt for examining assumptions and choices, but it does not establish what another person thinks or guarantee what will happen.
Agua's browser tool uses a cryptographic random source when the browser supports it. The chart is calculated by the app's rule engine; optional AI explains the resulting facts and does not determine the coin values or alter the chart. Learn more in six-line basics, browse the 64 hexagrams, or visit the reading overview.