Chinese divination has two main branches: "Book of Changes" and "Shu Shu". Following this, a number of "divination techniques" emerged. These two major channels actually have the same nature because they follow the same foundation. Therefore, many times, "Book of Changes" or "Shu Shu" are used individually to represent all divination techniques in China. By distinguishing them, we can better study various types of divination in China. The Book of Changes uses the eight trigrams as the calculation unit and originated from the tortoise shell divination in ancient times. According to the "Book of Rites of Zhou" records, there are three types: "Book of Changes", "Lianshan" and "Gui Zang", but the latter two have been lost. The oracle bone inscriptions unearthed in modern times are records of predictions and results after divination. Representatives of "divination" include: Elephant Numbering, Plum Blossom Numbering, External Ying, etc.
Arithmetic uses the heavenly stems and earthly branches as calculation units and originated from ancient Chinese astronomy. Its content intentionally or unintentionally conforms to and imitates the ideological outlook of the Book of Changes. According to historical records and archeology, Shushu was produced later than the "Book of Changes". Representatives of "divination" under it include: Da Liu Ren, Four Pillars and Eight Characters, Ziwei Dou Shu, Iron Shen Shu, Qi Zheng Si Yu, Playing Birds, Choosing the Day, etc.
More "divination techniques" span these two major streams, such as Liuyao, Taiyi, Qimen Dunjia, Feng Shui, etc.
Chinese divination goes far beyond the above types. And some of the above-mentioned divination techniques are divided into multiple schools, like Chinese martial arts schools. There are so many, so numerous. So far, only the "Shu Shu Category" of "Zibu" in "Sikuquanshu" has summarized some of them.
Chinese divination is Chinese divination, which is also called metaphysics in ancient times and Chinese predictions in modern times. It is based on Tai Chi, Bagua, Yin and Yang, Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, Five Elements, Shen Ke, and Shen in traditional Chinese culture. A huge knowledge based on evil spirits, calendars, etc., used to predict the success or failure of people, things, and things in the past, present, and future.
Chinese divination is a unified law that the Chinese people have found from the representations of various specific things since the ancient barbaric era. In the process of exploring the universe and nature, it has been developed by many generations of sages and wise men. It was polished and refined, gradually abstracted and perfected.
What should be noted about Chinese divination is that most of the elements such as Tai Chi, Bagua, Yin and Yang, Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, Five Elements, Shen Ke, Shen Sha and other elements in traditional Chinese culture were not used when they were first produced. It is not about divination, but it is used by the Chinese to understand and explain the universe in which we live. It belongs to the category of ancient Chinese philosophy. Starting from pragmatism has become the basis of divination. Ancient Chinese philosophy and divination are two fruits on one tree.