Plum Blossom Numerology offers extraordinary flexibility in how hexagrams are derived. The fundamental principle is simple: any number can be converted into a trigram by dividing by 8 and taking the remainder. The four methods below represent different ways of extracting numbers from the world — from the structured precision of the time method to the free-form intuition of the image method. For a complete reference on the eight trigrams and their correspondences, see the Trigram Reference.
All methods follow the same basic formula:
- Upper trigram (外卦): derived from the first number or set of numbers
- Lower trigram (内卦): derived from the second number or combined numbers
- Moving line (动爻): derived from the total, dividing by 6
Once you have derived a hexagram, proceed to Interpretation to learn how to read its message through the Body & Use framework. For worked examples of each method, see 卦例详解.
Method 1 — Time Method 以时间起卦
The most fundamental and widely used method. The Chinese calendar's year, month, day, and hour numbers are combined to derive the hexagram. This method embodies the principle that the quality of a moment is encoded in its temporal coordinates — the same principle that underlies BaZi (Four Pillars of Destiny), where birth time determines one's fate chart.
The Chinese Calendar Numbers
In the Chinese sexagenary (干支) cycle, each year, month, day, and hour is assigned a number from 1 to 12 (the Earthly Branches, 地支). These are the numbers used in the calculation:
| Branch | Chinese | Number | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zǐ | 子 | 1 | 23:00–01:00 | Winter |
| Chǒu | 丑 | 2 | 01:00–03:00 | Winter |
| Yín | 寅 | 3 | 03:00–05:00 | Spring |
| Mǎo | 卯 | 4 | 05:00–07:00 | Spring |
| Chén | 辰 | 5 | 07:00–09:00 | Spring |
| Sì | 巳 | 6 | 09:00–11:00 | Spring |
| Wǔ | 午 | 7 | 11:00–13:00 | Summer |
| Wèi | 未 | 8 | 13:00–15:00 | Summer |
| Shēn | 申 | 9 | 15:00–17:00 | Summer |
| Yǒu | 酉 | 10 | 17:00–19:00 | Autumn |
| Xū | 戌 | 11 | 19:00–21:00 | Autumn |
| Hài | 亥 | 12 | 21:00–23:00 | Autumn |
The Formula
Upper Trigram (外卦)
(Year + Month + Day) ÷ 8 = quotient … remainder
The remainder maps to the upper trigram. If remainder is 0, use 8 (Kūn).
Lower Trigram (内卦)
(Year + Month + Day + Hour) ÷ 8 = quotient … remainder
The remainder maps to the lower trigram.
Moving Line (动爻)
(Year + Month + Day + Hour) ÷ 6 = quotient … remainder
The remainder determines which line (1–6 from bottom) is the moving line. If remainder is 0, use 6.
Worked Example
A question arises during the hour of Chén (辰, #5) on a day with calendar values: Year = Branch 8 (Wèi year), Month = 3 (3rd lunar month), Day = 15.
Method 2 — Number Method 以数字起卦
Any number that comes to mind or is observed in the environment can serve as the starting point. This is the most versatile method and the one most commonly used for spontaneous readings.
Single Number
When a single number presents itself (e.g., you notice the number 7 on a sign):
- Lower trigram: Number ÷ 8 → remainder maps to lower trigram
- Upper trigram: Defaults to 1 (Qián ☰, Heaven)
- Moving line: Number ÷ 6 → remainder determines the line
Two Numbers
When two numbers present themselves (e.g., house number 3-7):
- Upper trigram: First number ÷ 8 → remainder
- Lower trigram: Second number ÷ 8 → remainder
- Moving line: (First + Second) ÷ 6 → remainder
Multiple Numbers
When a sequence of numbers appears (e.g., phone number 138-5672):
- Split the sequence roughly in half
- Upper trigram: Sum of first half ÷ 8 → remainder
- Lower trigram: Sum of second half ÷ 8 → remainder
- Moving line: Total sum ÷ 6 → remainder
Example: Phone Number
A phone number: 138-5672. Split: 138 and 5672.
Method 3 — Character Method 以汉字起卦
Chinese characters contain inherent numerical structure through their stroke counts. This method bridges the ancient Chinese belief in the cosmic significance of written language with I Ching divination. The same belief in the power of written symbols appears in the talisman tradition, where characters are drawn as carriers of cosmic energy.
Single Character
Split the character conceptually into upper and lower halves (by visual structure or radical):
- Upper trigram: Stroke count of upper half ÷ 8 → remainder
- Lower trigram: Stroke count of lower half ÷ 8 → remainder
- Moving line: Total strokes ÷ 6 → remainder
Two Characters
For a two-character phrase or name:
- Upper trigram: Stroke count of first character ÷ 8 → remainder
- Lower trigram: Stroke count of second character ÷ 8 → remainder
- Moving line: Total strokes ÷ 6 → remainder
Multiple Characters
For longer phrases, split into two halves by character count:
- Upper trigram: Total strokes of first half ÷ 8 → remainder
- Lower trigram: Total strokes of second half ÷ 8 → remainder
- Moving line: Grand total ÷ 6 → remainder
Example: The Character 明 (Míng, "Bright")
明 = 日 (sun, 4 strokes) + 月 (moon, 4 strokes). Total = 8 strokes.
Note: Stroke counts should use the traditional (繁体) form of characters when possible, as the traditional forms preserve the original numerical structure. However, many modern practitioners use simplified (简体) strokes successfully.
Method 4 — Image Method 以物起卦
The most intuitive and least structured method. Observe the environment and extract numbers from anything that catches your attention: the count of objects, the direction of movement, the position of something in your field of view. This approach shares its observational spirit with Feng Shui form school, which reads the landscape for patterns of energy.
Common Image Sources
Counting Objects
The number of birds in flight, flowers on a branch, people in a group, books on a shelf. Use the count as your number.
Position & Direction
The position of an object in your visual field — left/right, near/far, high/low. Assign numbers based on the Eight Directions (1=N, 2=NE, etc.).
Sound & Time
The number of sounds you hear (bird calls, knocks, bells), or the exact moment something happens. Convert to numbers.
Movement & Color
An animal moving left-to-right, a red car passing, a gust of wind from the east. Each observation can be mapped to trigrams through their attributes.
The image method requires the most practice and the deepest knowledge of trigram correspondences. It is considered the highest form of Plum Blossom Numerology because it demands pure awareness — the practitioner must be fully present, noticing what the universe is showing them in the moment.
Quick Reference — Trigram Number Map
Regardless of which method you use, the final step is always the same: divide by 8 and map the remainder to a trigram. The Five Element associations shown below are critical for the interpretation stage — see the full Trigram Reference for detailed correspondences including body parts, family members, and the 万物类象.
| Remainder | Trigram | Chinese | Image | Element |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ☰ | 乾 Qián | Heaven | Metal |
| 2 | ☱ | 兑 Duì | Lake | Metal |
| 3 | ☲ | 離 Lí | Fire | Fire |
| 4 | ☳ | 震 Zhèn | Thunder | Wood |
| 5 | ☴ | 巽 Xùn | Wind | Wood |
| 6 | ☵ | 坎 Kǎn | Water | Water |
| 7 | ☶ | 艮 Gèn | Mountain | Earth |
| 0 / 8 | ☷ | 坤 Kūn | Earth | Earth |
Next: Interpretation
You've derived a hexagram — now learn how to read its message through the Body & Use theory and Five Element analysis.
Learn Interpretation