六壬法教

Module 1: Historical Origins (历史源流 - Lì Shǐ Yuán Liú)

1.1 From Yarrow Stalks to Copper Coins

The lineage of Liu Yao extends to the very roots of Chinese civilization. The earliest oracle methods — 龟卜 (guī bǔ, tortoise shell divination) and 蓍筮 (shī shì, yarrow stalk divination) — are attested in Shang Dynasty (商朝, c. 1600–1046 BCE) oracle bone inscriptions. The 周易 (Zhōu Yì, Zhou Changes) codified the sixty-four hexagram system attributed to King Wen of Zhou (周文王) and the Duke of Zhou (周公), establishing the foundation for all subsequent Yi Jing divination.

The original yarrow stalk method (大衍筮法, dà yǎn shì fǎ), described in the 系辞传 (Xì Cí Zhuàn, Great Commentary), is elaborate: forty-nine stalks are divided, counted, and set aside through three operations per line — eighteen operations per hexagram. This method produces four possible values with asymmetric probabilities favoring stability over change.

1.2 Jing Fang and the Na Jia Revolution (京房与纳甲革命)

The decisive transformation came during the Western Han Dynasty (西汉) with 京房 (Jīng Fáng, 77–37 BCE) , a scholar-official who fundamentally reshaped Yi Jing divination from a text-based hermeneutic practice into a structured predictive system. Jing Fang, whose original name was 李君明 (Lǐ Jūnmíng), studied under 焦延寿 (Jiāo Yánshòu), forming a chain of transmission from the early Han 象数 (xiàng shù, image-number) school.

Jing Fang's political career ended tragically — he was executed after making predictions about court factions — but his system survived and flourished. His works, preserved in the 京氏易传 (Jīng Shì Yì Zhuàn), became the bedrock of all subsequent Liu Yao practice.

1.3 Post-Han Development and Classical Codification

魏伯阳 (Wèi Bóyáng, c. 2nd century CE) authored the 周易参同契, synthesizing Yi Jing cosmology with Daoist alchemical theory and reinforcing Na Jia correspondences. During the Song Dynasty, 邵雍 (Shào Yōng, 1011–1077) developed 梅花易数 (Plum Blossom Numerology), an alternative method that influenced hexagram interpretation broadly.

The 火珠林 (Huǒ Zhū Lín, Fire Pearl Forest) , attributed to 麻衣道者 (Má Yī Dào Zhě) of the Song Dynasty, definitively established the coin-casting Liu Yao method as a standalone system. It standardized the three-coin procedure and the interpretation framework used to this day.

The method reached mature, codified form through two monumental Qing Dynasty texts:

• 卜筮正宗 (Bǔ Shì Zhèng Zōng) by 王洪绪 (Wáng Hóngxù) — a systematic, principle-oriented treatise emphasizing rigorous method.
• 增删卜易 (Zēng Shān Bǔ Yì) by 野鹤老人 (Yě Hè Lǎo Rén, "Old Man Wild Crane") — a case-study-rich practical manual containing hundreds of real divination records with outcomes, arguably the single most important Liu Yao text for practitioners.

Module 2: Theoretical Framework (理论框架 - Lǐ Lùn Kuàng Jià)

2.1 The Eight Palace System (八宫系统)

Jing Fang organized the sixty-four hexagrams into eight palaces (八宫, bā gōng), each headed by one of the eight pure hexagrams (八纯卦). The palace determines the ruling element , which in turn determines the Six Relations assignment for every line — the keystone of the entire system.

Each palace contains eight hexagrams derived by systematic line changes: 本宫卦 (Pure) → 一世 → 二世 → 三世 → 四世 → 五世 → 游魂 (Wandering Soul) → 归魂 (Returning Soul). Without correct palace identification, the Six Relations assignment collapses and the entire reading fails.

2.2 Na Jia & Na Zhi — Assigning Stems and Branches

Na Jia (纳甲) assigns Heavenly Stems to trigrams: 乾 takes 甲 (inner) and 壬 (outer); 坤 takes 乙 (inner) and 癸 (outer); the remaining six trigrams each use a single stem. Na Zhi (纳支) assigns Earthly Branches to each line according to its trigram and position — yang trigrams (乾, 艮, 坎, 震) count forward (顺数), yin trigrams (坤, 兑, 离, 巽) count backward (逆数).

The Earthly Branch assignments are critical because they carry the Five Element associations that drive the entire interpretation: 子/亥 = Water, 寅/卯 = Wood, 巳/午 = Fire, 申/酉 = Metal, 辰/戌/丑/未 = Earth.

2.3 Liu Qin — The Six Relations (六亲)

The Six Relations are determined by comparing each line's element to the palace element :

2.4 Liu Shen — The Six Spirits (六神)

The Six Spirits are assigned to lines 1–6 based on the Heavenly Stem of the day of divination. They add a qualitative, imagistic layer to interpretation — secondary to Six Relations and Five Elements but crucial for determining the nature and manner of events.

2.5 Shi Yao & Ying Yao — Subject and Object Lines (世爻与应爻)

The 世爻 (Shì Yáo) represents the querent; the 应爻 (Yìng Yáo) represents the other party or the subject of inquiry. Their positions are determined by the hexagram's place within its palace (本宫 through 归魂). The Shi-Ying relationship — whether they generate, control, clash, or combine — provides immediate insight into the fundamental dynamic between querent and situation.

2.6 The Yong Shen System (用神系统)

The 用神 (Yòng Shén, Functional Spirit) is the single most important concept in Liu Yao interpretation — the specific Six Relation line representing the core subject of the question. Selecting the correct Yong Shen is the first and most critical step.

Module 3: Chart Casting & Setup (起卦与装卦 - Qǐ Guà Yǔ Zhuāng Guà)

3.1 The Three-Coin Method (三钱法)

3.2 Determining the Hexagram (定卦)

Once six lines are recorded (bottom to top), identify the lower trigram (lines 1–3) and upper trigram (lines 4–6). Cross-reference to find the hexagram name among the sixty-four hexagrams.

3.3 Finding the Palace (定宫)

Use the eight-palace derivation chart to determine which palace the hexagram belongs to. This step is essential — the palace element governs all Six Relations assignments. Quick method: trace the hexagram back through the derivation sequence (reverse the generation changes) until reaching a pure hexagram.

3.4 Assigning Six Relations (装六亲)

With the palace element known: (1) determine the element of each line from its Earthly Branch via Na Zhi, (2) compare to the palace element, (3) assign the appropriate Six Relation label (Parent, Sibling, Offspring, Wife-Wealth, or Officer-Ghost).

3.5 Placing the Six Spirits (装六神)

Determine the Heavenly Stem of the day (日干) and assign the six spirits to lines 1–6 according to the standard rotation table. The spirits cycle through: 青龙 → 朱雀 → 勾陈 → 螣蛇 → 白虎 → 玄武, starting from the line determined by the day stem.

3.6 Changing Lines and the Transformed Hexagram (动爻与变卦)

Lines with value 6 (Old Yin) or 9 (Old Yang) are 动爻 (dòng yáo, moving/changing lines) . Old Yang (○) becomes Yin; Old Yin (×) becomes Yang. The hexagram formed after transformation is the 变卦 (biàn guà) . The transformed hexagram's branches interact with the original through 回头生克 (huí tóu shēng kè, transformation feedback) — one of the most critical mechanisms in Liu Yao.

3.7 Month and Day Branch Influences (月建与日辰)

The 月建 (yuè jiàn, month branch) represents seasonal Qi — lines in the same element or generated by the month are strong (旺 wàng or 相 xiàng). The 日辰 (rì chén, day branch) represents immediate temporal energy and can generate, control, clash, combine, or support any line. Together, they are the two most powerful external forces acting on the hexagram.

Module 4: Interpretation Principles (断卦原则 - Duàn Guà Yuán Zé)

4.1 Selecting the Yong Shen (取用神)

The Yong Shen selection is the first analytical step. Standard assignments by question type:

4.2 Seasonal Strength — Wang Xiang Xiu Qiu (旺相休囚)

Each element has a seasonal state determined by the month branch:

4.3 The Five Interactions (生克刑冲合)

• 生 (Shēng, Generation): One element nourishes another (Water → Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water). A generated line gains strength.
• 克 (Kè, Control): One element suppresses another (Water → Fire → Metal → Wood → Earth → Water). A controlled line loses strength.
• 刑 (Xíng, Punishment): Specific branch combinations causing harm — 寅巳申 (ungrateful), 丑戌未 (bullying), 子卯 (improper), and self-punishments (辰辰, 午午, 酉酉, 亥亥).
• 冲 (Chōng, Clash): Opposing branches that disrupt and scatter — 子午, 丑未, 寅申, 卯酉, 辰戌, 巳亥.
• 合 (Hé, Combination): Six Harmonies (子丑, 寅亥, 卯戌, 辰酉, 巳申, 午未) and Three Harmonies (申子辰 Water, 亥卯未 Wood, 寅午戌 Fire, 巳酉丑 Metal).

4.4 Transformation Feedback — Hui Tou Sheng/Ke (回头生/克)

When a changing line transforms, the new branch interacts with the original:

• 回头生 (Huí Tóu Shēng): Transformed branch generates the original → line is strengthened.
• 回头克 (Huí Tóu Kè): Transformed branch controls the original → line is severely weakened, essentially destroyed regardless of apparent strength.

4.5 Kong Wang — Void/Emptiness (空亡)

Determined by the 旬空 (xún kōng) of the day's stem-branch pair. A line whose branch falls in Kong Wang is empty — its energy is latent:

• 真空 (Zhēn Kōng, True Void): Kong Wang + seasonal weakness = truly empty; the matter will not materialize.
• 假空 (Jiǎ Kōng, False Void): Kong Wang but seasonally strong = temporarily delayed; will manifest when void is filled.
• A moving line (动爻) in Kong Wang: "动不为空" — movement breaks the void.

4.6 Fu Shen — Hidden Spirits (伏神)

If the required Yong Shen does not appear among the six lines, it is "hidden" (伏) beneath the corresponding line of the palace's pure hexagram. For a Fu Shen to be useful, it must be supported by day/month branch, and the 飞神 (fēi shén, flying spirit) above it should not be controlling it. A suppressed, seasonally weak Fu Shen indicates the matter is extremely difficult to achieve.

4.7 Jin Shen & Tui Shen — Advancing and Retreating Spirits (进神与退神)

When a changing line transforms forward in the branch sequence (e.g., 寅→卯, 巳→午), it is an 进神 (Advancing Spirit) indicating growth and progress. Backward transformation (e.g., 卯→寅, 午→巳) is a 退神 (Retreating Spirit) indicating decline.

Module 5: Practical Applications (实际应用 - Shí Jì Yìng Yòng)

5.1 Wealth and Business (求财)

Yong Shen: 妻财 (Wife-Wealth). Favorable when Wife-Wealth is 旺相, held on 世爻, generated by 子孙, or supported by day/month. Unfavorable when in 空亡, 休囚, controlled by 兄弟, or suffering 回头克. Key axiom: "财为养命之源，子为财之根" — Wealth is the source of livelihood; Offspring is the root of Wealth.

5.2 Career and Examinations (功名考试)

Yong Shen: 官鬼 for official position; 父母 for exam results/certificates. Favorable when Officer-Ghost generates Shi Yao and Parent line is strong. Unfavorable when Offspring moves to restrain Ghost (子孙克官).

5.3 Health and Illness (疾病)

Yong Shen: 官鬼 (the disease itself). Interpretation is inverted : strong Ghost = severe disease; weak Ghost restrained by Offspring = recovery likely. The Six Spirits on the Ghost line indicate disease nature: 青龙 = liver/overindulgence; 朱雀 = inflammation; 勾陈 = digestive; 螣蛇 = mental illness; 白虎 = injury/surgery; 玄武 = reproductive/kidney.

5.4 Marriage and Relationships (婚姻)

Male Yong Shen: 妻财 (Wife-Wealth). Female Yong Shen: 官鬼 (Officer-Ghost). The Shi-Ying relationship reveals core dynamics: 世应相生 = mutual affection; 世应相克 = discord; 世应相冲 = fundamental incompatibility. Yong Shen in Kong Wang = partner absent or unreliable.

5.5 Lost Items (失物)

Yong Shen: 妻财 (the lost item). 玄武 on Wife-Wealth = theft involved. Wife-Wealth controlled by Sibling = someone has taken it. Direction determined by the branch of the Wife-Wealth line (子=north, 午=south, 卯=east, 酉=west).

5.6 Travel (出行)

Yong Shen: 世爻 (the querent). 应爻 represents the destination: Ying generates Shi = welcoming; Ying clashes Shi = trouble. 白虎 on moving line = danger of accident.

5.7 Lawsuits (诉讼)

Yong Shen: 世爻; 应爻 = opposing party; 官鬼 = the judge/legal system. 子孙动 (Offspring moves) restrains Ghost → case dismissed or settled out of court.

Module 6: Case Studies (案例分析 - Àn Lì Fēn Xī)

The following cases demonstrate Liu Yao interpretation in practice, following the methodology of the classical texts 增删卜易 and 卜筮正宗. Each case shows Yong Shen selection, seasonal analysis, moving line assessment, and verified outcome.

Case 1: Business Investment — Wealth Obtained (求财得财)

Case 2: Health Diagnosis — Spleen Disease Confirmed (疾病诊断)

Case 3: Marriage — Divorce Predicted (婚姻离异)

Case 4: Job Promotion — Successfully Achieved (官职升迁)

Case 5: Pregnancy — Child Expected (求子问卦)

Case 6: Travel Safety — Delayed but Safe (出行安全)

Module 7: Classical Texts Reference (重要经典 - Zhòng Yào Jīng Diǎn)

7.1 卜筮正宗 (Bǔ Shì Zhèng Zōng) — Orthodox Tradition of Divination

Author: 王洪绪 (Wáng Hóngxù), Qing Dynasty. The most systematic and principle-oriented Liu Yao text. Organized by topic (wealth, marriage, illness, etc.) with clear rules for each category. Contains the influential 黄金策 (Huáng Jīn Cè, Golden Strategy) sections — poetic verse summaries memorized by virtually all serious practitioners.

7.2 增删卜易 (Zēng Shān Bǔ Yì) — Augmented and Revised Divination

Author: 野鹤老人 (Yě Hè Lǎo Rén, "Old Man Wild Crane"), Qing Dynasty. The most practically-oriented Liu Yao text and arguably the single most important work for practitioners. Distinguished by its enormous collection of real case studies with recorded outcomes . The author explicitly tests classical rules against actual results, discarding what doesn't work — an empirical treasure.

7.3 火珠林 (Huǒ Zhū Lín) — Fire Pearl Forest

Author: Attributed to 麻衣道者 (Má Yī Dào Zhě), Song Dynasty. The foundational text that established coin-casting Liu Yao as distinct from yarrow stalk divination. Codified the Na Jia/Na Zhi system, Six Relations, and the basic interpretation framework. The name "Fire Pearl Forest" became synonymous with the entire method — practitioners refer to it as 火珠林法.

7.4 Additional Important Works

• 易隐 (Yì Yǐn) by 曹九锡 (Cáo Jiǔxī), Ming Dynasty — esoteric text with advanced techniques including 飞宫法 (flying palace method) and elaborate Fu Shen methods.
• 易冒 (Yì Mào) by 程良玉 (Chéng Liángyù) — systematic treatment with clear categorization; good intermediate reference.
• 黄金策 (Huáng Jīn Cè) attributed to 刘基 (Liú Jī / Liu Bowen) — mnemonic-friendly poetic summary of core principles, universally memorized by practitioners.
• 断易天机 (Duàn Yì Tiān Jī) — comprehensive reference with extensive topic coverage.

7.5 Modern Influential Authors

• 邵伟华 (Shào Wěihuá) — prolific modern author whose accessible books (周易预测学) introduced Liu Yao to a mass audience in mainland China from the 1980s onward.
• 李洪成 (Lǐ Hóngchéng) — known for systematic modern teaching methods and extensive case collections.
• 王虎应 (Wáng Hǔyìng) — respected modern practitioner with detailed case-study publications.

Complete Eight Palace Hexagram Sequences (八宮六十四卦序列)

Each palace contains exactly eight hexagrams derived by systematic line changes from the pure hexagram. Mastering these sequences is essential for correct Liu Yao practice — the World/Wandering/Returning Soul designations directly determine the subject/object line positions.

Special Hexagram Patterns: Fan Yin & Fu Yin (反吟伏吟)

Fan Yin and Fu Yin are two of the most important special hexagram conditions in Liu Yao. Recognizing them immediately changes the interpretation framework.

Advanced Case Studies: Complete Analysis (高級案例深度分析)

These cases apply the full suite of Liu Yao tools — Yong Shen selection, seasonal strength, Fan/Fu Yin patterns, Hidden Spirits, and transformation analysis.

Subject and Object Line Positions by Palace Rank (世应位置对照表)

The positions of the 世爻 (Shì Yáo, Subject Line) and 应爻 (Yìng Yáo, Object Line) are determined by the hexagram's derivation rank within its palace. Memorizing this table is essential — without it, correct Shi-Ying identification is impossible.

An Dong — Secret Movement (暗动 Àn Dòng)

暗动 (Àn Dòng, Secret Movement) is one of the most practically important yet commonly overlooked mechanisms in Liu Yao. It occurs when a static (non-changing) line is clashed by the day branch (日冲) , effectively animating it as if it were a changing line and giving it active power to influence other lines.

Liu Yao vs. Mei Hua Yi Shu: Detailed Comparison (六爻与梅花易数之比较)

Both Liu Yao (六爻) and Mei Hua Yi Shu (梅花易数, Plum Blossom Numerology) are Yi Jing-based divination systems rooted in the same sixty-four hexagrams. Yet they differ fundamentally in methodology, analytical framework, and interpretive philosophy. Understanding this distinction helps the practitioner choose the right tool for each inquiry.

Hexagram Derivation Method (起卦方式)

Analytical Framework (分析框架)

Interpretive Style (解卦风格)

Extended Case Studies: Full Hexagram Analysis (拓展案例精析)

The following cases present complete line-by-line hexagram layouts — the format used in classical texts such as Zeng Shan Bu Yi (增删卜易). Each demonstrates a distinct application domain and introduces interpretation nuances not covered in the introductory cases above.

Case: Lost Item Recovery — Found After Exiting Void (失物寻回)

Case: Real Estate Purchase Timing (购房时机)

Case: Lawsuit Outcome — Settlement Predicted (诉讼结果)

Case: Missing Elderly Father — Location Identified (寻人)

Case: Civil Service Examination — Passes But Reassigned (考试结果)

Case: Business Partnership Assessment (合伙经营)

Quick Reference Appendices (速查附录)

Appendix A: Twelve Earthly Branches — Direction, Time, and Element (十二地支方位时辰五行对照)

This table is essential for identifying lost items by direction, timing event manifestation, and understanding the spatial quality of each line's branch assignment.

Appendix B: Key Terminology Glossary (六爻术语速查)

A comprehensive reference for the core technical vocabulary of Liu Yao Na Jia divination.

🛠️ Connection to Liuren Fajiao

Liu Yao (六爻) and Liuren Fajiao (六壬法教) share deep structural DNA — both systems are rooted in the stem-branch calendrical framework (干支), Five Element interactions (五行生克), and the principle that cosmic timing shapes human events. For the Liuren practitioner, Liu Yao serves as a powerful complementary divination tool.

In the Liuren lineage, mastery of at least one systematic divination method — and Liu Yao is the most commonly chosen — is considered essential training. The discipline of hexagram analysis sharpens the practitioner's sensitivity to Qi dynamics, which directly transfers to ritual effectiveness.

📜 Classical & Modern Yi Jing Case Studies

I. Classical Historical Cases (Zuo Zhuan / Guo Yu Period)

II. Classical Method: Mei Hua Observation

III. Modern Practitioner Cases

Advancing and Retreating Spirits — Jìn Shén & Tuì Shén (進神與退神)

When a line's branch undergoes transformation (發動 — activated and changing into another branch), the resulting "change branch" creates either a Jìn Shén 進神 (Advancing Spirit — momentum, expansion, forward movement) or a Tuì Shén 退神 (Retreating Spirit — withdrawal, diminishment, regression). This distinction is critical in dynamic readings where lines transform.

Practical Application Domains — Domain-by-Domain Analysis Rules (分類用神與斷卦法則)

Mastery of Liù Yáo lies in correctly selecting the Yòng Shén 用神 (Governing Line — the line type representing the subject of inquiry) for each domain of life. The same hexagram reads differently depending on what the querent is asking about. The following domain rules are the foundational standards codified in 《增刪卜易》 and reinforced by 《卜筮正宗》 .