How to Cast an I Ching Reading with Three Coins: Step-by-Step

Preparing Your Coins and Assigning Values

While the ancient tradition of the I Ching originally utilized fifty yarrow stalks, the three-coin method has become the most popular modern alternative due to its speed and simplicity. To begin, you will need three identical coins. While traditional Chinese 'cash' coins with square holes are often preferred for their symbolic connection to the earth and sky, any three coins of the same denomination will work perfectly well.

Before you toss, you must assign numerical values to each side of the coin. In the I Ching system, Yin is represented by the number 2 and Yang by the number 3. Conventionally, the 'tails' side is assigned a value of 2 (Yin) and the 'heads' side is assigned a value of 3 (Yang). Take a moment to center yourself and focus on your question before making your first toss.

Tossing the Coins and Building the Hexagram

You will toss all three coins together a total of six times. Each toss creates one line of your hexagram, starting from the bottom and working your way up to the top. This 'bottom-to-top' sequence is critical; the first toss represents the foundation of the situation, while the sixth toss represents its conclusion or ultimate peak. After each toss, sum the values of the three coins to determine the type of line to draw.

The four possible totals are 6, 7, 8, and 9. A total of 7 (two tails, one head) results in a 'Young Yang' line, drawn as a solid line (—). A total of 8 (two heads, one tail) results in a 'Young Yin' line, drawn as a broken line (--). These are stable lines that do not change. However, totals of 6 and 9 represent 'Old' or 'Moving' lines, which carry extra significance for your reading.

Identifying Changing Lines and the Second Hexagram

When you roll a 6 or a 9, you have generated a changing line. A 6 (three tails) is an 'Old Yin' line, often marked with an 'X' in the center of a broken line. A 9 (three heads) is an 'Old Yang' line, often marked with a circle in the center of a solid line. These lines indicate that the energy of the situation is at an extreme and is about to transform into its opposite.

To interpret a reading with changing lines, you first look at the 'Primary Hexagram' formed by your initial tosses. Then, you create a 'Relating Hexagram' by changing every 6 into a solid Yang line and every 9 into a broken Yin line. This second hexagram represents the direction in which the situation is moving or the potential future state. If you have no 6s or 9s, your situation is relatively stable, and you only need to interpret the single hexagram you cast.

Refining Your Practice with Yarrow

Casting with physical coins is a tactile, meditative process that many practitioners find deeply rewarding. However, keeping track of the math and drawing the lines correctly can be a hurdle for beginners. If you are in a space where you cannot toss coins, or if you want an instant, deep-dive interpretation of your results, digital tools can bridge the gap.

Yarrow offers a streamlined digital casting experience that respects the traditional probabilities of the three-coin and yarrow-stalk methods. By using our platform, you can record your readings, track your personal history of hexagrams, and access clear, modern interpretations of the text. Whether you use physical coins or our digital interface, the goal remains the same: gaining clarity and perspective on the changes unfolding in your life.

Ready to see what the hexagrams have to say? Try a free digital reading on Yarrow today and explore the wisdom of the I Ching with ease.