Practical I Ching
How to cast the I Ching with 3 coins and read the hexagram
By Inti Foundation · updated
Casting the I Ching with 3 coins is simple: toss three coins at once, six times, and record each line from the bottom up; the total of each toss tells you whether the line is yin or yang, still or changing. The six lines give the primary hexagram among the 64; changing lines mark the turning points, and when there are any they flip to give the resulting hexagram. The value of a cast lies not in a yes-or-no answer but in helping the person asking see the conditions, their own position and how to act more carefully. Inti Soul keeps that spirit: the interpretation stays with the cast you made, adds no lines and uses no frightening absolutes.
Try it now: Free online I Ching cast
Primary hexagram
Provides a symbolic image of the context being asked about.
Changing lines
Mark transitions or tensions requiring attention.
Resulting hexagram
Suggests the direction of transformation as changing lines shift.
Casting with 3 coins: six tosses, from the bottom line up
In the convention Inti Soul uses, each coin counts 3 points for one face and 2 points for the other; three coins add up to 6, 7, 8 or 9. The first toss is the bottom line and the sixth toss is the top line.
- 6 — old yin: a changing yin line that becomes yang in the resulting hexagram.
- 7 — young yang: a still yang line.
- 8 — young yin: a still yin line.
- 9 — old yang: a changing yang line that becomes yin in the resulting hexagram.
How to ask useful questions
A good question should be specific, contextual, and focused on what the questioner can influence. Instead of ‘Will I definitely succeed?’ ask ‘Over the next three months, what should I pay attention to when implementing this plan?’ Open questions create room to examine conditions and actions.
- Keep one question per casting; avoid combining many unrelated topics.
- Record the time, context, and hexagram so you can revisit them after deciding.
- Do not cast repeatedly just to find the answer you want to hear.
Read the hexagram systematically
Begin with the primary hexagram's name and image, read its text in the context of your question, then examine each relevant changing line. If there is a resulting hexagram, use it as a direction of change rather than separating it from the original. When several lines change, avoid using one isolated sentence to assert the entire outcome.
Limits to maintain
The I Ching does not replace medical, legal, or financial advice or safety assessments. For consequential decisions, a hexagram should be only one reflective layer alongside evidence, appropriate experts, and personal responsibility.
Cast a hexagram right on the page
The public casting tool tosses three coins six times and gives you the primary hexagram, changing lines, the resulting hexagram and the judgement — free, with no account.
Cast the I Ching onlineFor self-understanding and reflection — not a verdict.
Frequently asked questions
Should I cast repeatedly for the same question?
Do not cast continuously to seek a more comfortable answer. Record the first hexagram, reflect, act, and ask again only when the context truly changes.
Is the resulting hexagram a certain outcome?
No. It is usually read as a direction of transformation or a context that may emerge, not a promise that the future will definitely unfold that way.
Can casting replace expert advice?
No. For health, legal, financial, or safety matters, use appropriate professional sources; the hexagram is only a supplementary reflection tool.