1CHING(6) Games Manual CHING(6)
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6 ching, fortune - the book of changes and other cookies
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9 /usr/games/ching [ hexagram ]
10 /usr/games/fortune
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14 The I Ching or Book of Changes is an ancient Chinese oracle that has
15 been in use for centuries as a source of wisdom and advice.
16 The text of the oracle (as it is sometimes known) consists of sixty-
18 four hexagrams, each symbolized by a particular arrangement of six
19 straight (---) and broken (- -) lines. These lines have values ranging
20 from six through nine, with the even values indicating the broken
21 lines.
22 Each hexagram consists of two major sections. The Judgement relates
24 specifically to the matter at hand (E.g., "It furthers one to have
25 somewhere to go.") while the Image describes the general attributes of
26 the hexagram and how they apply to one's own life ("Thus the superior
27 man makes himself strong and untiring.").
28 When any of the lines have the values six or nine, they are moving
30 lines; for each there is an appended judgement which becomes signifi‐
31 cant. Furthermore, the moving lines are inherently unstable and change
32 into their opposites; a second hexagram (and thus an additional judge‐
33 ment) is formed.
34 Normally, one consults the oracle by fixing the desired question firmly
36 in mind and then casting a set of changes (lines) using yarrow-stalks
37 or tossed coins. The resulting hexagram will be the answer to the
38 question.
39 Using an algorithm suggested by S. C. Johnson, the Unix oracle simply
41 reads a question from the standard input (up to an EOF) and hashes the
42 individual characters in combination with the time of day, process id
43 and any other magic numbers which happen to be lying around the system.
44 The resulting value is used as the seed of a random number generator
45 which drives a simulated coin-toss divination. The answer is then
46 piped through nroff for formatting and will appear on the standard out‐
47 put.
48 For those who wish to remain steadfast in the old traditions, the ora‐
50 cle will also accept the results of a personal divination using, for
51 example, coins. To do this, cast the change and then type the result‐
52 ing line values as an argument.
53 The impatient modern may prefer to settle for Chinese cookies; try for‐
55 tune.
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58 It furthers one to see the great man.
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61 The great prince issues commands,
62 Founds states, vests families with fiefs.
63 Inferior people should not be employed.
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66 Waiting in the mud
67 Brings about the arrival of the enemy.
68 If one is not extremely careful,
70 Somebody may come up from behind and strike him.
71 Misfortune.
72 CHING(6)