The I Ching—also known as the Book of Changes—is one of the most influential and mysterious ancient books in world history. Regarded as both a book of wisdom and a divination manual, it has shaped the spiritual, philosophical, and political life of China for over two thousand years. But who actually invented the I Ching? Was it a single sage, or an evolving tradition?

This article explores the complex origins of the I Ching, also referred to as Yijing or Yi Jing, and how it became central to both Taoism and Confucianism. You’ll discover how early Chinese kings, shamans, and philosophers contributed to what we now consider the ching or Book of Changes. Whether you’re new to the I Ching or deepening your study, understanding its historical and cultural roots reveals why this canonical text continues to empower divination, philosophy, and spiritual insight today.

The I Ching, or Yi Jing, is an ancient Chinese divination text and a book of wisdom known for its 64 hexagrams and profound insight into change in the world. Used for centuries in Chinese philosophy, it offers symbolic guidance through patterns made of six lines—either broken (yin) or unbroken (yang).

More than just a divination manual, the I Ching is a cosmological text with a series of archetypes that reflect the yin and yang forces shaping the universe. It has become central to both Confucianism and Taoism, influencing state governance, personal development, and spiritual cultivation for millennia.

Tradition holds that Fu Xi, a mythical sage-king of ancient China, first created the eight trigrams. These three-line symbols formed the foundation for the later hexagrams. According to legend, Fu Xi observed patterns in the natural world—heaven and earth, rivers, mountains, animals—and represented them as trigrams.

Later, these trigrams were doubled to form the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching. The trigrams symbolised fundamental forces in the cosmos, such as water, fire, wind, and thunder. This early phase of the I Ching is deeply tied to shamanic practices and the Zhou dynasty divination culture.

The I Ching evolved over many centuries. It was originally a divination manual in the Western Zhou period (circa 1046–771 BCE), where oracles used yarrow stalks and later coins to generate hexagrams and interpret their meaning. This early version of the I Ching became known as the Changes of Zhou, forming the foundation of the Book of Changes.

During the Han dynasty, the I Ching was elevated to the status of one of the Five Chinese Classics. Over time, a series of philosophical commentaries known as the Ten Wings were added, greatly expanding its symbolic, ethical, and metaphysical interpretation. These commentaries are believed by many to have been influenced or authored by Confucius.

Two historical figures are central to the formation of the I Ching as we know it: King Wen and the Duke of Zhou. During the Western Zhou dynasty, King Wen is credited with arranging the hexagrams in their current order and writing judgments for each. His son, the Duke of Zhou, added line-by-line commentary, known as line texts.

Together, their contributions helped shape the I Ching into a practical and philosophical guide. This marked the beginning of the classic of change becoming not only a tool for divination but also for ethical decision-making, political strategy, and spiritual reflection.

Confucius held the Book of Changes in high esteem, believing it to be a source of moral clarity and personal development. His interpretation grounded the I Ching in Confucian values such as duty, virtue, and social harmony. He may have authored or inspired parts of the Ten Wings, which include deep ethical insights.

For the Confucian, the I Ching was a tool for cultivating virtue and right action—not just a divinatory device. This dual nature—both oracle and ethical mirror—allowed the I Ching to bridge the worlds of Confucianism and Taoism, forming the core of many schools of Chinese philosophy.

Taoism approaches the I Ching as a map of the Dao—the way of nature and the universe. While Confucians read the I Ching for moral guidance, Taoists use it to attune themselves to the flow of life and the principle of wu wei—effortless action in harmony with the Tao.

The I Ching’s emphasis on change, balance, and non-resistance mirrors key Taoist values. The hexagrams serve as mirrors of the cosmic dance, helping the practitioner respond with fluidity, patience, and presence. This makes the I Ching a powerful Taoist meditation tool.

The I Ching consists of 64 hexagrams, each made up of six stacked lines—either a broken line (yin) or an unbroken line (yang). The combination of two trigrams creates one hexagram, representing a particular state or process of change. These hexagrams are the core language of the I Ching.

Each hexagram comes with various layers of commentary, including

The lines are often interpreted through a method of divination involving the yarrow stalk or coin toss, allowing one to consult the I Ching for guidance on a given situation.

For more details on how hexagrams work and how to read them, visit our detailed guide.

In the 20th century, Swiss psychologist Carl Jung helped bring the I Ching to Western audiences by writing a powerful introduction to Richard Wilhelm’s German translation of the I Ching. Jung saw the I Ching not just as an oracle but as a mirror of the unconscious—a tool for synchronicity and introspection.

Wilhelm, a German missionary in China, created one of the most enduring translations of the text, incorporating insights from Chinese sages and his own spiritual experience. His version was later translated into English and published by Princeton University Press, solidifying the I Ching as a respected tool for both divination and psychological exploration.

The commentary tradition is essential to understanding the I Ching. The Ten Wings, which include texts like the Great Commentary and Discussion of the Trigrams, add rich philosophical and symbolic depth. These commentaries explain not only what each hexagram means but how it relates to heaven and earth, human nature, and the unfolding of the Dao.

Later commentators like Wang Bi and modern scholars such as Harmen, Alfred Huang, and Stephen Karcher continue to interpret the I Ching through both traditional and modern lenses. Their work shows that the Ching is an evolving conversation across time, culture, and consciousness.

The I Ching remains relevant because it speaks to the universal experience of change. Whether you’re navigating a career shift, relationship challenge, or spiritual path, the Ching offers insight, reflection, and divinatory clarity. It empowers readers to face the unknown with wisdom rather than fear.

The Ching also endures because it is deeply symbolic, allowing for many different levels of meaning. It’s both a mirror of the present and a compass for the future—a fusion of the Tao Te Ching, Chinese culture, and timeless human inquiry.