Patent Application
20240335733
The present invention relates to methods/Ching divination and, more particularly, to a method for consulting the/Ching oracle by using four cubes instead of the traditional three coins.
The/Ching is usually translated as the ‘Book of Changes’ or ‘Classic of Changes.’ Whatever its name, it is an ancient Chinese divination text, which is used for a traditional Chinese form of cleromancy known as I Ching divination, in which I Ching coins are manipulated to produce sets of six apparently random numbers ranging from 6 to 9. Each of the 64 possible sets corresponds to a hexagram, which can be looked up in the I Ching. The hexagram is a figure composed of six stacked horizontal lines, each line is either broken or unbroken. Hexagrams are formed by combining the eight trigrams in different combinations. The received text of the Zhou yi, also related to I Ching divination, contains all 64 possible hexagrams.
Current sortition of the I Ching coins involves throwing the three coins six times to form a hexagram from the generated moving lines. Repeated casting of coins can take a lot of time.
A need exists for a method for consulting the/Ching oracle by using four six-sided dice rolled twice in succession, instead by way of tossing the traditional three coins.
In the present invention, one of the four dice, a first die, has trigram indicia on its faces, from which a user forms the hexagram. The remaining three dice (a second die, a third die, and a fourth die) have a number on each face and are used for generating moving lines during the two throws.
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for forming a hexagram includes: rolling four six-sided dice, wherein three of the four six-sided dice are numerical dice, and the fourth die is a trigrammatic die consisting of six trigram indicia, one trigram indicium on each face of the fourth die; and sequentially forming the hexagram from the trigram indicia of two successive trigrammatic die rolls, wherein numbers rolled on the numerical dice define placement of one or more change line markers corresponding to the formed hexagram
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for forming a hexagram, includes rolling four six-sided dice, wherein three of the four six-sided dice are numerical dice, and a fourth die of the four six-sided dice is a trigrammatic die having of six trigram indicia, one trigram indicium on each face of the trigrammatic die; and forming a trigram of the hexagram based on the trigram indicia rolled, wherein numbers rolled on the numerical dice define a placement of a plurality of change line markers, respectively, each corresponding to one of the three lines of the trigram, wherein the four six-sided dice are rolled a second time to define a second trigram for completing the hexagram, wherein numbers rolled on the numerical dice define a second placement of the plurality of change line markers, respectively, each corresponding to one of the three lines of the second trigram, wherein numbers one through three on the numerical dice, result in the second placement of one specific change line marker of the plurality of the change line markers, and wherein interpretation of the trigram and the second trigram is a function of a line of sight of a beholder.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, an I Ching divination kit includes a trigrammatic die, the trigrammatic die comprises six trigram indicia, one trigram indicium on each face of the trigrammatic die; and three numerical dice.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for forming hexagrams using four six-sided dice, wherein three of the six-sided dice are numerical dice, and the fourth die is a trigrammatic die consisting of six trigram indicia, one trigram indicium on each face of the six-sided die. The formation of a hexagram incorporates the steps of twice rolling the four dice to define the first three and then the last three lines, respectively. Additionally, per each roll, after defining the respective liens of the hexagram, a user evaluates the three numerical dice to make line by line changes depending on the number rolled.
Referring to
On each face of the trigram die 12 is one of eight trigram indicia 12A through 12F-2. The interpretation, determination, or divination of each trigram indicia 12A through 12F-2 to form at least three lines of a hexagram 18 may be a function of the interpreter's vantage point. For instance, in
From the perception of the trigram indicia 12A through 12F-2 one half (three lines) of the hexagram 18 may be formed. Since a single viewer can only view three sides of a six-sided die, a second throw of the trigram die 12 is required. The viewer forms the hexagram 18 from an amalgamation of the six trigram indicia 12A through 12F-2 viewed over the two throws: a first trigram (three lines) 18A from the first throw and a second trigram 18B from the second throw, as illustrated in
After defining the initial first trigram, but before throwing the second throw, change line marker 20, a change hexagram 22, and changing lines of the change hexagram is determined by review of the three numerical dice 14 thrown with the respective trigram die 12. thereby divining the final formation, or part thereof, of the hexagram 18. How to and in what order to amalgamate and incorporate the six perceived trigram indicia into the hexagram 18 is a function of the role of the three numerical cubes. After the second throw, an identical change line determination is made by evaluating the respective numerical die 14 results.
In one example, the method includes throwing four cubes: one trigram cube 12 and three numerical cubes 14. After the first throw, from line-of-sight the user determines first three lines 1 2 3 (as illustrated in
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.
In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
