The I Ching

Book of Changes

The I Ching — the Book of Changes — is a divination system based on 64 hexagrams, each consisting of six lines (broken or unbroken, yin or yang), with accompanying texts of commentary attributed to the legendary kings Wen and Wu and to Confucius. It is one of the oldest texts in human history, with layers accumulated over three thousand years.

Codex Digital EditionComing soonEdition currently in preparation

Edition054

FormatDigital PDF

Editorial statusIn review

TraditionMystery Schools

Before you read

Context without the mythology.

Codex ISO separates the surviving evidence from later interpretation, so you can encounter the text without being told what to believe about it first.

01 / Historical context

Over 3,000 years old. The only Chinese classic to survive Qin Shi Huang’s Book Burning of 213 BC, because it was classified as a divination manual rather than philosophy.

02 / Why it matters

Survived the book burning by accident. 3,000 years old. Still consulting it.

From / associated with the text

““The great man brings about no evil, and yet he is not without blame. He has not failed in his duty.””

THE CODEX STANDARD

Source before story.

We identify the edition, translation and surviving evidence; distinguish documentation from tradition; and state uncertainty rather than turning it into a sales claim.

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Continue the archive

The I Ching

Context without the mythology.

Source before story.

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