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Meaning and Context
Number casting is part of the Plum Blossom (Meihua) tradition. The core principle is that numbers, like all phenomena, carry the pattern of the cosmos and can reveal guidance when properly interpreted.
- Source: Any number meaningful to the questioner
- Examples: Phone numbers, house numbers, license plates, randomly chosen numbers
- Principle: Numbers are divided/processed to yield trigrams and moving line
- Philosophy: "Everything is number; number reveals everything"
Flexibility
Unlike coin or time methods with fixed procedures, number casting can use whatever numbers appear meaningful at the moment of asking.
Classical Roots
The Meihua Yishu establishes:
From Meihua Yishu
「凡数可起卦，有数即有卦。」
Plain translation
"Any number can generate a hexagram; where there is number, there is a hexagram."
The Xici provides the numerical foundation:
From Yijing · Xici
「天一地二，天三地四，天五地六，天七地八，天九地十。」
Plain translation
"Heaven is one, earth is two; heaven is three, earth is four..." This sequence of heaven and earth numbers underlies all I Ching numerology.
Common Methods
Several approaches to number casting:
- Single number: Divide by 8 for upper trigram, add digits and divide by 8 for lower trigram
- Two numbers: First number (mod 8) = upper trigram; second number (mod 8) = lower trigram
- Multi-digit: Split into two groups; each group mod 8 gives a trigram; total sum mod 6 gives moving line
- Random selection: Ask querent to choose any number; process as above
Example with number 25: 25 ÷ 8 = 3 remainder 1 → Upper trigram is Qian (1). 2+5=7, 7 ÷ 8 = 0 remainder 7 → Lower trigram is Gen (7).
How to Read It
Interpreting a number-cast hexagram:
- Determine upper and lower trigrams from the numbers
- Calculate the moving line (typically total sum mod 6)
- Identify the resulting hexagram
- Read hexagram judgment and the moving line text
- Consider the changed hexagram
- In Plum Blossom practice, also analyze body/function and five elements
Interpretation tip
The source of the number can inform interpretation. A phone number may relate to communication; an address to home matters.
How It Shows Up in FateFolio
In FateFolio's I Ching tool:
- Number input option available
- Automatic conversion to hexagram
- Moving line calculated and highlighted
- Full interpretation provided
Common Misconceptions
Common misunderstandings about number casting:
- Thinking certain numbers are "lucky" or "unlucky" for casting—all numbers are valid
- Using random numbers without any connection to the question
- Ignoring the moving line calculation
- Over-complicating the process—simplicity often works best
Sources and Quotes
FAQ
What kind of numbers should I use?
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Use numbers that feel meaningful to your question or that spontaneously come to mind. This could be:
- A number you see at the moment of asking
- Your phone number or address
- A number the querent provides
- Any number that "feels right"
The key is that the number should have some connection to the moment of inquiry.
Does the size of the number matter?
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Not really. Large and small numbers are equally valid. The modulo operation (dividing and taking remainder) normalizes any number to the range needed for trigrams (1-8) and moving lines (1-6).
A phone number like 13812345678 works just as well as a simple number like 7.