On this page
Meaning and Context
Direction casting draws on the fundamental connection between the eight trigrams and the eight compass directions. This relationship is established in the Later Heaven (King Wen) arrangement of the Bagua.
- Foundation: Each direction corresponds to a trigram
- Method: Observe a direction related to the question, convert to trigram
- Applications: Person approaches from a direction, question involves a place, etc.
- Extension: Combine with time or other methods for complete hexagram
Direction-trigram mapping (Later Heaven)
South=Li(Fire), North=Kan(Water), East=Zhen(Thunder), West=Dui(Lake), SE=Xun(Wind), NW=Qian(Heaven), NE=Gen(Mountain), SW=Kun(Earth)
Classical Roots
The Meihua Yishu confirms directional casting:
From Meihua Yishu
「方位亦可起卦，八方配八卦。」
Plain translation
"Directions can also be used to cast hexagrams; the eight directions correspond to the eight trigrams."
The Shuo Gua (Discussion of Trigrams) establishes the directional associations:
From Yijing · Shuo Gua
「帝出乎震，齐乎巽，相见乎离，致役乎坤，说言乎兑，战乎乾，劳乎坎，成言乎艮。」
Plain translation
"The sovereign emerges from Zhen (East), aligns in Xun (Southeast), becomes visible in Li (South)..." This passage maps trigrams to directions.
How Direction Casting Works
Direction casting methods:
- Single direction: A person/event comes from direction X → that direction's trigram
- Two directions: Combine starting and ending directions for upper and lower trigrams
- With time: Direction provides one trigram; time provides another; combined for hexagram
- Moving line: Often calculated from time or total direction values
Example: A visitor arrives from the East (Zhen trigram) asking about a matter in the South (Li trigram). Upper trigram = Li, Lower trigram = Zhen → Hexagram 21 "Biting Through."
How to Read It
Interpreting direction-cast hexagrams:
- Identify the relevant direction(s) in the situation
- Convert direction(s) to trigram(s) using Bagua correspondence
- Combine trigrams to form the hexagram
- Calculate moving line (often from time or combined values)
- Read and interpret as with any hexagram
Interpretation enhancement
The directional symbolism can enrich interpretation. East/Zhen relates to beginnings and initiative; South/Li to clarity and visibility; etc.
How It Shows Up in FateFolio
In FateFolio's I Ching tool:
- Directional input option may be available
- Automatic conversion from direction to trigram
- Combined with other inputs for complete hexagram
- Full interpretation provided
Common Misconceptions
Common misunderstandings about direction casting:
- Confusing Earlier Heaven and Later Heaven direction mappings
- Using arbitrary directions without connection to the question
- Forgetting to calculate a moving line
- Ignoring the symbolic meaning of the directions themselves
Sources and Quotes
FAQ
Which Bagua arrangement should I use for directions?
+
For divination and practical applications, use the Later Heaven (King Wen) arrangement. This is the standard for direction-trigram correspondence in most I Ching and Feng Shui applications.
Earlier Heaven (Fuxi) arrangement is used for certain metaphysical contemplations but not typically for directional casting.
What if the direction is not exactly one of the eight?
+
Use the closest of the eight directions, or consider it as between two trigrams. Some practitioners use the direction the question "faces" rather than exact compass bearings.
The method is flexible—the key is finding a meaningful directional association with your question.