FAQs
The basics
Q: What is ASCII-Ching?
A free, in-browser version of the I Ching. Type a question, throw three coins six times, read the result. Each hexagram comes with several translations side by side: Wilhelm's 1950 classic, Crowley's 1918 reading, a few scholarly modern ones, plus a distilled version synthesized from the 11 sources where they agree. There's an ASCII illustration for the hexagram and one for each line.
Q: Is this a real I Ching?
Yes. It uses the standard three-coin method and the same 64 hexagrams as every other I Ching. The text comes from 11 published translations; line interpretations follow traditional rules for changing lines.
Q: Is this AI?
No. Your reading is generated by a random-number generator simulating three coins, the same as a physical I Ching. Claude (Anthropic's LLM) was used as a tool to help distill 11 existing human translations into a 12th "distilled" translation, credited on the References page. The I Ching itself, the coin cast, and the hexagram text are not AI output.
Q: Is it free?
Yes. No account, no login, no paywall, no ads.
Q: Does it cost money? Will it ever?
Not currently. A tip jar may be added later.
Privacy
Q: Does it track me?
The site uses basic privacy-respecting analytics to count page views. No third-party trackers, no ad networks, no cookies beyond what's strictly needed. Your question, your reading, and your hexagram are never sent anywhere. Everything happens in your browser.
Q: Are my readings stored?
No. Readings stay in your browser session and are never sent anywhere. If you want to keep one, use the [ Save Reading ] button to download a formatted text file of your question, hexagrams, changing lines, and interpretations. You can also use [ Copy Prompt ] to copy the full reading to your clipboard. Useful for pasting into a notes app, or into an AI (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.) for further reflection.
Q: Can I use it offline?
Once the page is loaded, casting works offline. A mobile app (iOS/Android) is planned.
Using it
Q: Do I have to type a question?
No. The tool works with or without a written question. Writing one tends to focus the reading; some users prefer silent intention.
Q: What kind of question should I ask?
Open-ended works better than yes/no. Instead of "Should I quit my job?" try "What will happen if I quit my job now?" See the Tutorial for more on framing.
Q: Can I ask the same question twice?
There's a traditional rule that asking the same question twice in close succession produces unreliable results. Hexagram 4 (Youthful Folly) explicitly addresses it. In practice, let a question rest before re-asking.
Q: How often should I consult it?
As often as useful to you. The I Ching is traditionally consulted for moments of genuine uncertainty, not daily weather reports.
Q: What are changing lines?
Lines that came up as "old yin" (three tails) or "old yang" (three heads). They indicate movement in the reading. The Tutorial explains the standard rules for reading 0-6 changing lines.
Q: Which translation should I use?
Start with Distilled (synthesizes the 11 sources). Empowered is the next favorite. Modernized, direct, good for daily use. Then Wilhelm/Baynes for the classic 1950 rendering. Crowley (1918) for a more esoteric read.
Q: What coin method does it use?
The three-coin method. Quick, traditional, and well-suited to browsing. Each throw of three coins produces one line. Six throws build a hexagram from bottom to top.
Q: How do multiple changing lines work?
Handled traditionally. The Tutorial walks through the standard rules for reading 0 through 6 changing lines.
Q: Can I compare translations side by side?
Yes. Translations are selectable per reading via the translation bar below each hexagram. If you're learning, try reading several and noticing where they agree.
Q: What are the buttons on the results page?
[ Save Reading ] downloads a formatted text file of your question, hexagrams, changing lines, and interpretations. [ Copy Prompt ] copies the full reading to your clipboard for pasting into a notes app or an AI (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.) for further reflection. [ Consult Again ] resets to a clean state for a new question with no leftover context.
Q: Is this a replacement for the Book of Changes?
No. This tool doesn't pretend to replace sitting with the Book of Changes. It's an invitation.
Skeptics
Q: I don't believe in divination. Can I still use this?
Yes. Many users read the I Ching as a random prompt for reflection, like a Rorschach. The hexagrams cover a broad range of human situations. Most readings map onto something you're already thinking about, which is itself useful. No belief required.
Q: Isn't this just a random text generator?
Mechanically, yes. The interesting question is why a random text generator based on a 3,000-year-old taxonomy of situations produces readings that land. That's the part worth thinking about.
Credits & contributions
Q: Who made this?
ÆonWΔrez. One person, about three years.
Q: Who made the ASCII art?
The majority comes from the 1990s-2000s ASCII archives. Biggest single contributor is Joan G. Stark (jgs), with significant work from Andreas Freise, Elizabeth J. Marks, Laura Brown, and many others. Existing signatures stay on the art. My contribution was curating, lightly editing, and combining pieces to fit specific hexagrams and lines, plus designing a smaller number from scratch for this project. Full credits on References; dedicated tribute to Joan G. Stark.
Q: Can I contribute ASCII art, corrections, or translations?
Yes. Send corrections or suggestions via the contact on aeonwarez.com.
Technical
Q: What does it run on?
Plain HTML, CSS, JavaScript. No frameworks, no build step. Five responsive breakpoints.
Q: Which browsers work?
Any modern browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari (desktop and mobile), Edge. Older terminals and text-mode browsers should also render the core art because it's literally text.
Q: I found a bug.
Report it via aeonwarez.com. Include the hexagram number, browser, and screen size if possible.