易Mantic arts dossier · Yijing-derived and correlative systems
灵棋经
Língqí Jīng·Classic of Spirit Tokens
Twelve marked tokens are cast into upper, middle and lower groups to form one of 125 figures with an attached oracle; an independent compact method widely transmitted in medieval times.
- Aliases
- Spirit-token divination, twelve-token divination
- Formation
- Uncertain date; probably circulating before the Six Dynasties, with medieval manuscript evidence
- Evidence status
Study notes & citation
灵棋经. Institute of Chinese Mantic Arts. https://www.manticarts.com/en/arts/lingqi-jing
On this page
01Core principles
Core principles
Translate formulas into structure: what enters, how the model is arranged, and which relations drive interpretation.
Four tokens in each of three groups yield a number through their faces; the three numbers index a figure, image and judgment. Casting details and token markings vary by edition.
Key concepts
- twelve tokens
- upper-middle-lower groups
- 125 figures
02Origins and historical development
Origins and historical development
Keep traditional accounts, surviving evidence and later transformations distinct.
The work entered Daoist collections, encyclopedias and Dunhuang manuscripts and traveled to Japan. Conflicting attributions to Huang Shigong, Zhang Liang, Dongfang Shuo and Liu An reveal an unstable antiquarian genealogy.
STUDY / Língqí Jīng
Lingqi casting and textual lookup
- Materials and inputs
- Tokens, casting convention, outcome sequence and text edition
Research question
How is a physical result encoded as a textual entry?
Practical exercise
Use clearly labeled teaching substitutes. Log each token and the lookup path; compare titles and wording for the same outcome across editions.
03Evidence limits and research debates
Evidence limits and research debates
Distinguish traditional interpretations, documented material and claims requiring testing.
Ancient-sounding attributions do not establish authorship, and its 125 figures should be distinguished from the Zhouyi's sixty-four hexagrams.
This dossier supports historical, textual and methodological study. Internal traditional explanations are not modern empirical validation and do not replace medical, legal, financial or other professional advice.
04Core texts and materials
Core texts and materials
- 01Lingqi Jing
- 02Dunhuang fragments of the Spirit-Token Manual
- 03Daoist and Japanese editions