FOUR CUBES METHOD OF CONSULTING THE I-CHING

Abstract

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. Formation of a hexagram incorporates the steps of rolling the four dice together and interpreting the two rolled trigram indica on two successive rolls, wherein rolls of the numerical dice define placement of change line markers corresponding to the hexagram formed from the each rolled trigram indicium.

Claims

1. A method for forming a hexagram, the method comprising: 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 comprising 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.

2. The method of claim 1, 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.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the four six-sided dice are rolled a second time to define a second trigram for completing the hexagram.

4. The method of claim 3, 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.

5. The method of claim 4, 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.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein interpretation of the trigram and the second trigram is a function of a line of sight of a beholder.

7. An I Ching divination kit, the kit comprising: a trigrammatic die, the trigrammatic die comprises six trigram indicia, one trigram indicium on each face of the trigrammatic die; and three numerical dice.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating consultation of I-Ching oracle by using four cubes through a first and second throw or roll. The numbers rolled are the upward facing numbers in FIG. 1 (e.g., in the first throw numbers, 1, 2 and 5 were rolled).

[0011] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a hexagram having six lines, wherein lines 1, 2, and 3 are determined by a first throw of the systemic dice, and wherein lines 4, 5, and 6 are determined by a second throw of the systemic dice.

[0012] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the line change of lines 1 and 2 between FIGS. 2A and 2B, wherein those line changes are determined by the three numerical dice (during the first throw).

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a trigram cube of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the trigram cube of the present invention, showing all six sides.

[0015] FIG. 4B is a mirror image of FIG. 4A, illustrating that the eye of the beholder, specifically their personal angle of incidence/field of view/line of sight influences the interpretation or reading for the trigram.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating eight (8) three lines trigrams from which a hexagram derived or formed. The eight trigrams can be found on the six trigram indicia of the first systemic die 12 as a function on the line of sight of the beholder.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a numerical cube with two opposing views.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing all six sides of the numerical cube of FIG. 6.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a flowchart 30 of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a method of creating hexagram using cubes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the present invention may include a method for consulting the/Ching oracle by using four cubes 12 and 14. One of the four cubes is a trigram die 12 and the other three dice are each a six-sided (numerical) die 14.

[0023] 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 FIGS. 4A and 4B, there are two trigram indicia 12E and 12F that represent different trigrams depending on how they are viewed, which in turn is a function of how the trigram die 12 comes to a stop on a supporting surface and the angle or sight line 16 from which the viewer perceives them.

[0024] 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 FIG. 1.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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 FIGS. 2A and 2B) of the hexagram 18 from the trigram cube 12 and records it. If any or all the numerical cubes shows a 1, 2, or 3, the method contemplates adding line-change markers 20 to corresponding line of the recorded hexagram. After recording the hexagram, the user picks up all cubes, and performs the second throw of the same four cubes. Viewing the four cubes after the second throw, the viewer determines from their line of sight lines 4 5 6 (as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B) of the hexagram from the trigram cube 12 and record. If any or all numerical cubes shows a 4, 5, or 6, add line-changes marker to corresponding line of the recorded hexagram. With the hexagram complete, the user may create other hexagram variations based on the line-change markers and consulting the/Ching oracle manual.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.