Liu Yao: The Art of Six Lines Divination and Hexagram Reading

What is Liu Yao (六爻)?

Liu Yao (六爻), literally meaning "Six Lines," is one of the most sophisticated and practical divination systems in Chinese culture. It uses the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching (易经) but adds layers of analysis that make readings more specific, accurate, and actionable.

While basic I Ching readings focus on the hexagram text and changing lines, Liu Yao introduces a complex system of: - Five Elements (五行) interactions - Six Relatives (六亲) relationships - Six Spirits (六神) influences - Changing lines (变爻) dynamics

This system transforms I Ching consultation from general wisdom into precise divination capable of answering specific questions about timing, outcomes, and the interplay of forces affecting your situation.

The History of Liu Yao

Ancient Origins

Liu Yao developed during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) as scholars sought to systematize I Ching divination. The method combined: - The philosophical framework of the I Ching - Five Elements theory from Chinese cosmology - Practical observation of human affairs

Jing Fang's Revolution

The scholar Jing Fang (京房, 77-37 BCE) is credited with formalizing Liu Yao. He introduced: - Assignment of Five Elements to hexagram lines - The Six Relatives system - Methods for analyzing line relationships

His innovations transformed I Ching from a book of wisdom into a precision divination tool.

How Liu Yao Works

The Coin Method (三铜钱法)

The most common Liu Yao method uses three coins:

Coin Values: - Heads (yang side) = 3 - Tails (yin side) = 2

Toss Results: | Total | Line Type | Symbol | |-------|-----------|--------| | 6 | Old Yin (changing) | ⚋ × | | 7 | Young Yang (stable) | ⚊ | | 8 | Young Yin (stable) | ⚋ | | 9 | Old Yang (changing) | ⚊ ○ |

Building the Hexagram: 1. Toss the three coins six times 2. Record each result from bottom to top 3. Old (changing) lines transform into their opposite 4. This creates two hexagrams: Primary (本卦) and Transformed (变卦)

Example Reading

Let's say your six tosses produce: 1. 8 (Young Yin) ⚋ 2. 7 (Young Yang) ⚊ 3. 6 (Old Yin → changing) ⚋ × 4. 9 (Old Yang → changing) ⚊ ○ 5. 8 (Young Yin) ⚋ 6. 7 (Young Yang) ⚊

Your primary hexagram might be ䷃ Meng (Youthful Folly), and the changing lines transform it into another hexagram.

The Five Elements in Liu Yao

Element Assignments

Each line in a hexagram is assigned one of the Five Elements based on its position and the hexagram's ruling element:

• Wood (木): Growth, expansion, beginnings
• Fire (火): Transformation, passion, recognition
• Earth (土): Stability, resources, foundation
• Metal (金): Contraction, structure, clarity
• Water (水): Flow, danger, hidden depths

Element Interactions

The relationships between elements in a reading reveal the dynamics at play:

Generating Cycle (相生): - Wood feeds Fire - Fire creates Earth (ash) - Earth bears Metal - Metal carries Water - Water nourishes Wood

When elements support each other, the aspects they represent will be helpful.

Controlling Cycle (相克): - Wood parts Earth - Earth dams Water - Water extinguishes Fire - Fire melts Metal - Metal chops Wood

When elements conflict, obstacles or competition exist.

The Six Relatives System (六亲)

This system assigns roles to each line based on its element relationship to the hexagram's ruling element:

The Six Relatives

1. Self (世爻 - Shì Yáo) - Represents: The questioner, self-interest - Element: Same as ruling element

2. Sibling (兄弟 - Xiōng Dì) - Represents: Competition, friends, peers - Element: Same as self - Warning: Can indicate rivalry or shared resources

3. Offspring (子孙 - Zǐ Sūn) - Represents: Children, students, creativity, healing - Element: Generated by self - Note: Subdues Ghosts (problems)

4. Wealth (妻财 - Qī Cái) - Represents: Money, spouse (for men), resources - Element: Controlled by self - Key: What you can grasp and control

5. Authority (官鬼 - Guān Guǐ) - Represents: Career, boss, spouse (for women), problems - Element: Controls self - Dual nature: Both opportunity and pressure

6. Parents (父母 - Fù Mǔ) - Represents: Elders, documents, shelter, protection - Element: Generates self - Note: Controls Offspring

Reading Relative Interactions

In a reading about career: - Strong Authority = good career prospects - Weak Wealth = financial challenges - Active Offspring subduing Authority = obstacles to promotion - Parents supporting Self = helpful guidance

The Six Spirits (六神)

Six spiritual influences are assigned to the hexagram lines based on the day of consultation:

The Six Spirits

1. Green Dragon (青龙 - Qīng Lóng) - Nature: Auspicious, joyful - Represents: Good fortune, celebrations, marriage - Element: Wood

2. Vermilion Bird (朱雀 - Zhū Què) - Nature: Active, communicative - Represents: Documents, lawsuits, speech, gossip - Element: Fire

3. Hook Snake (勾陈 - Gōu Chén) - Nature: Slow, stubborn - Represents: Land, property, delays - Element: Earth

4. Flying Snake (螣蛇 - Téng Shé) - Nature: Changeable, deceptive - Represents: Nightmares, confusion, unexpected events - Element: Earth

5. White Tiger (白虎 - Bái Hǔ) - Nature: Fierce, decisive - Represents: Illness, accidents, military, surgery - Element: Metal

6. Black Tortoise (玄武 - Xuán Wǔ) - Nature: Hidden, secretive - Represents: Theft, secrets, affairs, water - Element: Water

Types of Lines

Static vs. Moving Lines

Static Lines (静爻): - Stable energy - Background influence - Won't change in the transformed hexagram

Moving Lines (动爻): - Active energy - Key focus of the reading - Transform to their opposite - Where the action is happening

Void and Empty Lines

Void Lines (空亡): - Lines that fall on certain "empty" days - Indicate: Delays, unfulfilled potential, or non-existence - A void wealth line = money that doesn't materialize

Hidden Lines

Hidden Spirits (伏神): - When a needed relative doesn't appear in the hexagram - Must look for it hidden beneath another line - Reveals latent influences

Interpreting a Liu Yao Reading

Step-by-Step Analysis

1. Identify the Subject - What are you asking about? - Which Relative represents this? - (Career = Authority, Money = Wealth, Health = Offspring, etc.)

2. Find the Subject Line - Locate the line with the subject's Relative - Note its element and position

3. Check Its Strength - Is the element in season? (Prosperous, Rested, Imprisoned, Dead) - Is it moving or static? - Is it void?

4. Analyze Relationships - What elements support or attack it? - Which Six Spirit sits on it? - How do moving lines affect it?

5. Compare Primary and Transformed Hexagrams - How does the situation evolve? - What's the trajectory?

6. Consider Timing - Elements indicate timing - Wood = Spring, Fire = Summer, etc. - Moving lines suggest when changes occur

Example Interpretation

Question: "Will I get the job I interviewed for?"

Key Focus: Authority (官鬼) line - represents career/job

Analysis Factors: - Is the Authority line strong or weak? - Is it moving (active opportunity) or static? - Does Wealth (资源) support it? - Is Offspring (子孙) attacking it? (Offspring controls Authority) - What Six Spirit influences it?

Favorable Signs: - Authority line in season (strong) - Green Dragon on Authority (good fortune) - Wealth generating Authority (resources support career) - Authority line moving toward self (job coming to you)

Unfavorable Signs: - Authority line void or weak - White Tiger on Authority (obstacles, competition) - Offspring line active and attacking Authority - Authority moving away from self

Practical Applications

Questions Liu Yao Excels At

Specific Outcomes: - Will I get this job? - Will the business deal succeed? - Will my health improve?

Timing Questions: - When will the money arrive? - When is the best time to act?

Comparative Questions: - Which option is better? - What approach should I take?

Relationship Dynamics: - What is their intention toward me? - How will this relationship develop?

Questions to Avoid

• Vague, open-ended questions
• Questions testing fate repeatedly
• Frivolous inquiries
• Questions about others without legitimate interest

The Ethics of Divination

Approaching the Oracle

Sincerity (诚心): - Come with genuine questions - Clear your mind before consulting - Respect the process

Detachment (无执): - Don't seek a specific answer - Accept what is revealed - Use guidance wisely

Action (力行): - Divination shows tendencies, not fixed fate - Your actions matter - Use insights to make better choices

Conclusion

Liu Yao represents the pinnacle of Chinese divination development. It transforms the poetic wisdom of the I Ching into a precise analytical tool capable of addressing specific life questions with remarkable accuracy.

While mastering Liu Yao takes years of study, even understanding its basic principles enriches your appreciation for Chinese philosophy and the sophisticated systems our ancestors developed to navigate life's uncertainties.

The system reminds us that we live in a web of relationships - with people, with time, with the elements of nature - and that wisdom lies in understanding these connections.

Experience the ancient art of hexagram divination with our Oracle feature. Cast your own hexagram and receive guidance tailored to your question!