Yarrow Stalk Divination Method for the I Ching
The yarrow method repeatedly divides 49 of 50 stalks to derive line values 6, 7, 8, or 9. Its line probabilities differ from the three-coin method.
What is Yarrow Stalk Divination Method for the I Ching?
The Great Commentary records the yarrow-stalk procedure. One of 50 stalks is set aside; the remaining 49 undergo three changes per line, each involving division, setting one aside, counting by fours, and gathering remainders. Under the convention used here, yarrow probabilities are 6=1/16, 7=5/16, 8=7/16, and 9=3/16. Three fair coins give 6=1/8, 7=3/8, 8=3/8, and 9=1/8.
Interpretation & Usage
The total changing-line rate is the same in both methods: yarrow gives 1/16 + 3/16 = 1/4 for values 6 and 9, while three coins give 1/8 + 1/8 = 1/4. What differs is the relative frequency of Old Yin versus Old Yang, and Young Yin versus Young Yang; yarrow does not produce fewer changing lines overall. Software simulations should state which probability model they implement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What is the difference between yarrow stalks and coins?
The main difference is the four-value distribution. Yarrow commonly uses 1:5:7:3 for values 6, 7, 8, and 9; three fair coins produce 1:3:3:1. Both have a total changing-line rate of 1/4, but yarrow makes Old Yang more common than Old Yin. This mathematical difference does not establish that either method is more accurate.
Q.Can modern people still use the yarrow stalk method?
Yes. A manual six-line casting takes time, or a clearly specified random model can simulate it. Three coins do not make all four line values equally likely: they give 6=1/8, 7=3/8, 8=3/8, and 9=1/8. Under the convention used here, yarrow gives 6=1/16, 7=5/16, 8=7/16, and 9=3/16.
See It in Context
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