The I Ching, also known as the Yijing, is one of the world’s most enduring and mysterious ancient books. Often referred to as the Book of Changes, this sacred divination manual has guided emperors, scholars, and seekers for over 3,000 years. But a central question remains When was the I Ching written?

Unpacking the history of the I Ching is like unrolling a scroll from the heart of ancient Chinese civilisation. From Fu Xi’s eight trigrams to the Zhou dynasty divination system, and eventually the commentaries of Confucius and Wang Bi, the Ching evolved from a simple divinatory tool to a profound book of wisdom. In this article, we trace the I Ching’s development through Chinese dynasties, philosophical schools, and into its global reception through figures like Richard Wilhelm and Carl Jung.

Whether you’re exploring ching divination, fascinated by Chinese philosophy, or simply curious about one of the oldest Chinese classics, this article offers the full picture.

The I Ching (or Yijing) is a foundational text of Chinese philosophy. Known as the Book of Changes, it serves as both a divination system and a book of wisdom. Composed of 64 hexagrams, each built from six lines—either broken or unbroken—the Ching provides symbolic insights into life’s transitions.

As an ancient Chinese divination text, the Ching reflects the movement of yin and yang, the two primal energies that represent complementary opposites in nature. This dynamic system reveals the structure behind change and continues to influence Taoism, Confucianism, psychology, and even contemporary strategy.

The earliest layer of the I Ching is believed to date back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE), where oracle bones were used for divination. The first systematic form of the Ching, however, emerged during the Western Zhou period (c. 1046–771 BCE). This is when the Zhou dynasty added layers of symbolic order and interpretive structure to the system.

Traditionally, the text is credited to

So, when was I Ching written? Its core structure solidified between 1046–771 BCE, during the early Zhou era, though elements may predate this by several centuries.

The Zhou dynasty played a critical role in shaping what we now call the I Ching. During this period, the text evolved from earlier divination systems into a coherent oracle built around 64 symbolic patterns. These were known as the Ching hexagrams, each composed of two trigrams (upper and lower).

The Zhou rulers used the I Ching to make political and military decisions, believing that the oracle revealed the will of Heaven. It was during this time that the hexagrams became the irrevocable categories of understanding for interpreting change and fate in Chinese culture.

The original divinatory methods used either yarrow stalks or, later, three coins to generate hexagrams. In this system, each line of a hexagram was determined by a numerical result, forming six lines in total. The results were read from bottom to top and recorded using broken (yin) or unbroken (yang) lines.

This practice of divination using symbolic codes became central to Chinese divination and was used by scholars, emperors, and mystics alike. The I Ching was a living guide—a book of changes—responding to questions with insight drawn from the balance of nature and spirit.

A hexagram is a six-line figure made up of combinations of yin and yang. These are visualised as

Each hexagram is made from two trigrams, and the names of the hexagrams (e.g., Peace, Conflict, Influence) represent universal patterns. The 64 hexagrams are thought to encompass every possible situation in life, offering metaphorical guidance through transformation.

The hexagrams could shift based on changing lines, highlighting movement from one state to another—a key principle in Taoism and the philosophy of wu wei.

During the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), the I Ching became increasingly integrated into Confucian ethics. Confucius is traditionally believed to have written the Ten Wings—a set of commentaries expanding the symbolic and moral depth of the hexagrams.

These texts include reflections on

These commentaries helped establish the I Ching as one of the Five Classics of Confucianism and broadened its use from divination to philosophical study.

The Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) played a key role in preserving the I Ching. Scholars during this era classified it as one of the most sacred and canonical texts. The Ching became a required text for civil service exams and statecraft, making it one of the most influential books in Chinese classic texts.

Interpretations from thinkers like Wang Bi and Zhu Xi further developed the symbolic commentary on the hexagrams, while maintaining the original divinatory spirit. The text was used until after the Han, and has been consulted continuously ever since.

Each of the 64 hexagrams represents a specific energetic configuration. For example:

The core of the I Ching lies in how these hexagrams correspond to real-world questions. When you consult the I Ching, the resulting hexagram guides your intuition, helping you interpret the situation through the lens of ancient wisdom.

In the early 18th century, Jesuit missionaries sent hexagrams to Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who saw in them a binary system that mirrored his mathematical work. Later, in the 20th century, Richard Wilhelm’s translation of the I Ching introduced the text to Europe.

Wilhelm’s version, introduced by Carl Jung, framed the Ching as a book of wisdom aligned with psychological archetypes. Jung’s endorsement in his introduction by Carl sparked renewed interest in the Ching as a mirror for the subconscious. It has since inspired scholars, artists, and spiritual practitioners around the world.

The I Ching continues to resonate because it is built on universal patterns. It teaches us that change is not to be feared but embraced. Whether you’re facing a difficult decision, a personal transition, or simply seeking wisdom, the Ching provides a timeless framework for reflection.

From Taoist stillness to Confucian ethics, from Jungian analysis to business leadership, the I Ching remains one of the most enduring and sacred books of human consciousness.