I Ching, the Book of Changes: Part 1

Brief History of I Ching

The I Ching (or Yi Ching), also known as The Book of Change or Book of Changes, is arguably the oldest book in the world, and is the most widely studied of the five Chinese Classics. In this book we find some interesting parallels with guitar, and we can learn a great deal about the nature of guitar by studying its concepts.

The I Ching was traditionally written by the legendary Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi (2953-2838 B.C.). But it is probable that the I Ching originated from an earlier divination technique which dates back as far as 5000 B.C. Thus it may be the oldest text on Earth. Further famous commentaries were added by King Wen and the Duke of Chou in the 11th century B.C., and Confucious in the 5th century B.C., among others.

In Chinese, "ching" means book. "I" means change, or changes. But "I" also has a dual meaning of permanence, or the unchangeable.

Many shifting dynamics in the physical and spiritual world are explained by the I Ching using symbolic means in the form of hexagrams or images having 6 horizontal bars or lines. Each of the 6 lines may be either broken (representing Yin), or solid (representing Yang), and the combination of all possibilities of broken or solid lines form 64 permutations.

The 64 symbols of the Book of Change describe everything in terms of patterns of Yin (the receptive, dark and passive force), and Yang (the creative, light and active force). These two primal forces in the universe work together as complementary energies, mutually dependent in a constantly shifting balance.

Interpretation of the 64 symbols is a means of seeing deeply into the present moment. And from a clear appreciation of the present moment, is it possible to act appropriately. The images have been interpreted from the point of view of many of the world's religions, including Christianity, and they have been related to secular concerns in translations like the one that has guided the affairs of present-day Japan's pre-eminent corporate leader, Matsushita.

How I Ching Interpretation Works

An I Ching interpretation is performed by making six binary decisions (a hexagram). This is called 'casting the I Ching'. These are written down as a vertical stack of six horizontal solid or broken lines. This was traditionally done either by tossing yarrow stalks or coins, although there is no reason why the hexagrams can't be generated by some other means (such as a computer program). Here is an example of an on-line interpretation (remember this is just for fun):

Below are all the 64 possible permutations, with solid line represented numerically by "9" and broken lines represented numerically by "6". Here we also see the classical Chinese name and interpretation of each symbol.

• 1. (999999) Ch'ien - The Creative
• 2. (666666) K'un - The Receptive
• 3. (966696) Chun - Difficulty at the Beginning
• 4. (696669) Mêng - Youthful Folly
• 5. (999696) Hsu - Waiting (Nourishment)
• 6. (696999) Sung - Conflict
• 7. (696666) Shih - The Army
• 8. (666696) Pi - Holding Together [Union]
• 9. (999699) Hsiao Ch'u - The Taming Power of the Small
• 10. (996999) Lu - Treading [Conduct]
• 11. (999666) T'ai - Peace
• 12. (666999) P'i - Standstill [Stagnation]
• 13. (969999) T'ung Jên - Fellowship with Men
• 14. (999969) Ta Yu - Possession in Great Measure
• 15. (669666) Ch'ien - Modesty
• 16. (666966) Yu - Enthusiasm
• 17. (966996) Sui - Following
• 18. (699669) Ku - Work on What Has Been Spoiled [Decay]
• 19. (996666) Lin - Approach
• 20. (666699) Kuan - Contemplation (View)
• 21. (966969) Shih Ho - Biting Through
• 22. (969669) Pi - Grace
• 23. (666669) Po - Splitting Apart
• 24. (966666) Fu - Return (The Turning Point)
• 25. (966999) Wu Wang - Innocence (The Unexpected)
• 26. (999669) Ta Ch'u - The Taming Power of the Great
• 27. (966669) I - The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment)
• 28. (699996) Ta Kuo - Preponderance of the Great
• 29. (696696) K'an - The Abysmal (Water)
• 30. (969969) Li - The Clinging, Fire
• 31. (669996) Hsien - Influence (Wooing)
• 32. (699966) Hêng - Duration
• 33. (669999) Tun - Retreat
• 34. (999966) Ta Chuang - The Power of the Great
• 35. (666969) Chin - Progress
• 36. (969666) Ming I - Darkening of the Light
• 37. (969699) Chia Jên - The Family [The Clan]
• 38. (996969) K'uei - Opposition
• 39. (669696) Chien - Obstruction
• 40. (696966) Hsieh - Deliverance
• 41. (996669) Sun - Decrease
• 42. (966699) I - Increase
• 43. (999996) Kuai - Break-through (Resoluteness)
• 44. (699999) Kou - Coming to Meet
• 45. (666996) Ts'ui - Gathering Together [Massing]
• 46. (699666) Shêng - Pushing Upward
• 47. (696996) K'un - Oppression (Exhaustion)
• 48. (699696) Ching - The Well
• 49. (969996) Ko - Revolution (Molting)
• 50. (699969) Ting - The Caldron
• 51. (966966) Chên - The Arousing (Shock, Thunder)
• 52. (669669) Kên - Keeping Still, Mountain
• 53. (669699) Chien - Development (Gradual Progress)
• 54. (996966) Kuei Mei - The Marrying Maiden
• 55. (969966) Fêng - Abundance [Fullness]
• 56. (669969) Lu - The Wanderer
• 57. (699699) Sun - The Gentle (The Penetrating, Wind)
• 58. (996996) Tui - The Joyous, Lake
• 59. (696699) Huan - Dispersion [Dissolution]
• 60. (996696) Chieh - Limitation
• 61. (996699) Chung Fu - Inner Truth
• 62. (669966) Hsiao Kuo - Preponderance of the Small
• 63. (969696) Chi Chi - After Completion
• 64. (696969) Wei Chi - Before Completion

As Applied to Guitar

First of all, all of this is meant just for fun and as a teaching tool. Don't take any of this too seriously. But if it helps you explore your guitar and your playing more deeply, then we have done our job.

In our study, we will view and use the six strings on our guitar as the I Ching. The six strings substitute for the six horizontal lines. The big string on the bottom, and the small string on top. (More on this in another lesson).