I Ching Translations

There are many I Ching translations available. All of them explain the basic 64 hexagrams used in I Ching divination.

Ancient I Ching Texts

The origins of the I Ching come to us from pre history, a time when the philosophy of balance between opposites was probably maintained by an oral tradition. The oldest written record we have is from the Chinese Zhou dynasty of about 3,000 years ago. By 672 BC, the I Ching was growing in popularity and, during the Warring States period of 475-221 BC, was assembled into book form.

It survived this violent period of political upheaval to become an important scholarly work during the Han dynasty that followed. The recovered Ma Wang Dui manuscript, buried in 168 BC, pretty much mirrors the content of the texts that we use today with a few changes in the ordering of the hexagrams.

I Ching Translations

The I Ching - James Legge

This is the first translation of the I Ching into English and the text is a an accurate translation. Unfortunately, James Legge was not a devotee of the I Ching and considered divination poppycock. This attitude is reflected in his comments and does little to promote Western understanding of the dense and complex material. His Victorian scholarship also comes across stilted to the modern ear.

The I Ching or Book of Changes - Richard Wilhelm

This is considered by many to the premier translation of the text. In the forward to the book, Carl Gustav Jung states that Wilhelm was a long time practitioner of I Ching, and that he studied under a Chinese scholar in the field, Lao Nai-hsüan. In fact, the text used by Wilhelm as the basis for his translation was the Kang Hsi, Palace Edition created in 1715, which is the translation commonly used throughout the Eastern world.

Wilhelm’s translation also contains all ten Wings and extensive, helpful commentary. Some of his attitudes may seem dated to us now, but the core content is still well organized, comprehensive, and easy to read.

Zhouyi, the Book of Changes – Richard Butler

This is a scholarly treatment of the I Ching with a focus on its earliest meanings. This can be confusing to the novice because the translated hexagrams and other material can be very different from the meanings that occur in more traditional texts. It can be a fascinating addition to an existing I Ching library, but tackle it after you have some experience to help you appreciate the challenge of making connections between this and other translations.

I Ching: Classic Chinese Oracle of Change – Stephen Karcher

This is a comprehensive character-by-character translation which includes a concordance that will let you explore the I Ching in new ways. Each character is translated consistently and you can check to see all the instances in which it appears in the text. This is a great reference, even if you don’t use it as a primary text.

Understanding the I Ching – Tom Riseman

If you want a fast and easy way to start using the I Ching, this is the book for you. It’s short, only 154 pages, but it has simple, straightforward information on what you need to know to get started. It’s a sensible approach to divining for the beginner. Once you have the basics and are starting to examine the deeper meanings of the hexagrams, other texts can introduce you to the metaphysics and cosmology involved.

Once you have a text that you feel comfortable with, you will start to develop a fuller understanding of the hexagrams, their shades of meaning, and how their wisdom relates to your inquiries. After that, other translations will add depth to your understanding by introducing subtleties you may not have considered.

• Monuments with the Golden Ratio
• Yin Yang Pictures
• Yin Yang Art

• Yin Yang Dragons
• Tiger and Dragon Ying Yang
• Applications How to Place Feng Shui Elephant
• Chinese Dragon Clip Art
• Feng Shui Help Bed Position and Window

• Art Dragon Yang Yin
• Yin Yang Dragons
• Ying Yang Symbol
• Concept of Yin and Yang
• Ying Yang Art