A scene in the TV series "Hurricane" sparked a wide discussion among the audience. Gao Qisheng, who was on the run, carried out a mysterious divination on the ship, and obtained the result of "Shengyangyang", and the corresponding hexagram was: "A round of moon, clear light and four seas, the general patrols the sea, and the thieves look at the storm, from the regular auspicious." This divination not only influenced the development of the plot, but also made the audience have a strong interest in the ancient Chinese divination. What kind of divination method did Gao Qisheng use? What is the origin of this divination technique in Chinese history? How did it influence the lives and decisions of the ancients? In what form does this divination take in modern society? Let's unveil this mystical divination and discover the cultural wisdom behind it.
As one of the ancient Chinese divination techniques, the origin of divination can be traced back to ancient times. The basic principle of this method of divination is to determine the good fortune and evil by throwing two mussel shells or similarly shaped objects according to the direction they face after they land. This simple and intuitive method of divination has evolved and developed in the long course of Chinese history, and eventually became a widely spread folk divination.
The rudiments of divination may have originated from the divination of the Gong Gong in ancient times. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, people had begun to use bamboo or wooden sticks for divination. Over time, this method evolved into divination using mussel shells or similarly shaped objects. This evolutionary process reflects the use of natural objects and the continuous improvement of divination methods by the ancients.
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, divination began to be widely spread among the people. According to the records of the Jing Chu Years, the Chu State had the custom of "throwing the religion (筊) to the shrine god on the day of the society to occupy the abundance and thrift of the coming year". This shows that divination had become a common folk practice at that time, used to predict future harvests.
Over time, the methods and interpretations of divination have been refined. In the Song Dynasty, Cheng Dachang made a detailed record of divination in his book "Yan Fanlu". He described: "In later generations, the gods were asked to tell the gods, and those who had a cup and basket were thrown into the air with two mussel shells, and watched them pitch to cut off the blame. This account not only describes in detail the method of throwing the basket, but also explains the origin of the name "cup basket".
Interestingly, in the Song Dynasty, there was also a legend about Zhao Kuangyin and divination. According to Ye Mengde's "Shilin Yan Yu", Zhao Kuangyin once threw a basket for divination in Gaoxin Temple in Nanjing (now Shangqiu, Henan) when he was not developing. He started from a small school, and continued to divinate to the festival envoy, but he did not get the "holy reed" (i.e., one bow and one tilt). In the end, he said casually: "If you are the son of heaven?" "One throw and you get the holy basket. Although this legend may have been attached to later generations, it reflects the important position of divination in the society of the time, and was even used to predict the fate of emperors.
By the time of the Ming and Qing dynasties, divination had developed into a complex system. People not only paid attention to the results of a single throw, but also began to pay attention to the combination of three consecutive throws. This method is known as the "three-toss cupping method", and 27 different cups can be formed by permutations and combinations. The soothsayer tosses the cup three times in a row, and then interprets the result against the score.
Over time, the scope of application of divination has expanded. Not only is it used for major decisions in an individual's life, but it also plays a key role in some important religious ceremonies. For example, in Taiwan's Mazu belief, the annual Mazu circumambulation event requires a basket roll to determine the starting time. This practice closely combines folk beliefs with traditional divination methods, demonstrating the important role of divination in cultural inheritance.
Person: Please continue to imitate the writing style of "Historical Style 1" and write a detailed content for the second title of the essay outline, with a minimum of 800 words. Writing requirements: 1. The writing content should be original, and the content of the writing should not be washed, plagiarized, or copied from the Internet or reference materials; 2. The writing content should be strong in story, and expand the content according to your knowledge base and relevant materials on the Internet, and write the article in detail and perfectly, especially the storyline part, the story should be analyzed thoroughly, please pay attention to the content should be in line with the original, and no plagiarism or manuscript washing should be allowed; 3. The writing content should be in line with historical facts; it is forbidden to describe any psychological activities; 4. Ensure that the structure of the article is clear; the context of the five parts of the article outline should be fluent to avoid abrupt summaries or repetition of the outline content。 Don't put any opinions, comments, or summaries at the end of the article. 5. The repetition rate cannot exceed 10%. 6. Just give the content of the article directly, and you don't need to give any explanation. Formatting requirements: second heading; At the end of the article, there is no need to note the number of words;
As a part of traditional Chinese culture, divination contains rich cultural connotations. This seemingly simple method of divination is actually deeply rooted in ancient Chinese philosophical thought and worldview.
First of all, the idea of yin and yang is fully embodied in the divination of the basket. The orientation of the two mussel shells or cups, one up and down, corresponds to the concept of yin and yang. This idea of the unity of duality runs through the entire divination process. For example, in ancient divination rituals, it is often said: "Yang is the sky, yin is the earth; Yang is the king, yin is the minister; Yang is day, yin is night. This interpretation of yin and yang correspondence is not only reflected in the results of a single basket throw, but also in the combination of three consecutive basket throws.
An interesting historical example illustrates the application of yin-yang thought in divination. According to the Book of Jin, Sima Yan, Emperor Wu of the Jin Dynasty, had performed divination before ascending the throne. At that time, he received the "holy requirement" (one yin and one yang) three times in a row, which was interpreted as the return of the destiny of heaven, indicating that he would become a generation of Ming monarchs. Although the story may have been added by later generations, it reflects how the ancients linked the idea of yin and yang with political destiny.
Taoist philosophy also had a profound influence on divination. The Taoist concept of "Taoism and Nature" emphasized is well reflected in the divination of the basket. In the process of throwing the basket, the soothsayer needs to let his mind go and let the cup fall naturally, which is believed to be the most true reflection of heaven's will. The Taoist idea of "ruling by doing nothing" is also reflected in the interpretation of divination. For example, when given the phrase "laughing basket" (both cups facing upwards), it is often interpreted as "the gods are laughing and not committal", which is an allusive interpretation of the Taoist philosophy of going with the flow.
In ancient Chinese court life, divination also played an important role. A poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi, "The Song of the Cup", describes the scene of divination using a basket in the court: "The golden screen embroidered curtain is hidden deeply, and the candle and silver platform are painted at night. Get up and sit down again, holding a cup and leaning against the railing. This poem not only shows the status of divination in court life, but also reflects the close integration of this method of divination with traditional Chinese culture.
Divination is also closely linked to traditional Chinese festival culture. In some important festivals, such as the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival, people often carry out basket throwing activities. This activity is not only a form of entertainment, but also a blessing ceremony. For example, in some parts of Fujian, a "basket throwing competition" is held every year during the Lantern Festival, where participants roll baskets to predict the fortune of the new year. This tradition continues to this day and is a unique cultural landscape of the region.
It is worth noting that divination also has a strong connection to traditional Chinese digital culture. In the three-tos-cup method, 27 different combinations can be obtained by throwing the basket three times in a row. This number has a special meaning in traditional Chinese culture, and it is the same number of hexagrams as in the Zhou Yi. This coincidence was regarded by the ancients as the embodiment of heavenly chances, which further added to the mystery of divination.
In addition, divination also reflects the idea of "the unity of heaven and man" in traditional Chinese culture. The ancients believed that by throwing a basket, one could communicate with the gods and understand the will of heaven. This concept originates from the ancient Chinese cosmology, that is, man and nature, heaven and earth are a harmonious and unified whole. Under the guidance of this ideology, divination is not only a way to predict the future, but also a bridge between man and nature, and between man and the gods.
Divination has played multiple social functions throughout Chinese history, from the political tools of ancient rulers to the spiritual sustenance of ordinary people, and it has influenced all aspects of Chinese society at different levels.
At the political level, ancient rulers often used divination to consolidate the legitimacy of their rule. A famous example is Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. According to the "History of the Ming Dynasty", before the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang once carried out divination in Nanjing Dabao'en Temple. At that time, he received the "Holy Basket" three times in a row, which was interpreted as the return of the destiny of heaven and foreshadowed the establishment of a new dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang then used this result to promote his legitimacy and win the hearts and minds of the people. This example shows how divination can be cleverly used as a tool for political propaganda.
In folk beliefs, basket throwing plays a vital role in divination. It is not only a form of divination, but also a bridge between believers and the gods. A typical example is the Mazu belief on Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian. Every year on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, Mazu's birthday, believers will decide the route and time of Mazu's parade by throwing a basket. This tradition continues to this day and is an important cultural event in the region. The result of the basket throwing is seen as the will of the gods and has a direct impact on the behavior of the believer.
The psychological comfort effect of divination on the ancients cannot be ignored. When faced with major decisions or life difficulties, people often resort to divination. An interesting historical example comes from the Song Dynasty writer Su Shi. According to records, during the period when Su Shi was demoted to Huangzhou, he repeatedly decided whether to write a certain article by throwing a basket. This behavior reflects how the ancients used divination to gain psychological comfort in the face of uncertainty.
Divination also played an important role in ancient business decisions. Shen Wansan, a famous merchant in the Ming Dynasty, is a typical example. It is rumored that Shen Wansan would perform a basket of divination before every major business decision. Once, he was ready to invest in a seemingly profitable project, but the results of the basket turned out to be unlucky. Shen Wansan followed the divination results and gave up the investment. As it turned out, the project was indeed a huge risk. The story, while it may be exaggerated, reflects how ancient merchants combined divination with business decisions.
Divination also had a special application in the ancient judicial system. In some difficult cases, officials sometimes use the help of divination to assist in judgment. The Qing Dynasty's "Criminal Case Review" recorded a case in which two suspects identified each other as murderers, and the evidence was not enough to convict the case. The officer in charge of the trial decided to decide who was the real culprit by throwing a basket. As a result, one of the suspects was convicted of the murderer three times in a row and was eventually convicted of the murderer. Although this case seems unacceptable in modern times, it shows the special position of divination in ancient judicial practice.
In ancient military activities, divination was also often used to predict war. Zhuge Liang in the Three Kingdoms period once carried out divination before sending troops. According to the records of the "Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms", during the Northern Expedition to Shu Han, Zhuge Liang carried out divination at the Wuhou Temple before sending troops. Although the results were not ideal, Zhuge Liang still insisted on sending troops. This example illustrates how ancient military strategists balanced divination results with actual military decisions.
Divination also had a unique application in the field of ancient education. In the imperial examination, candidates often perform a basket throwing divination before the examination to predict the outcome of the examination. Wei Xue, the champion of the Ming Dynasty, once left such a record: before he participated in the examination, he carried out divination in the Wenchang Temple in his hometown, and the result was very auspicious. This gave him a lot of confidence, and in the end he was a top student in high school. This example shows how divination affected the mental state of ancient intellectuals.
In ancient medical practice, divination also played a role. Some TCM practitioners will use divination to determine the treatment plan when diagnosing incurable diseases. Li Shizhen, a medical scientist in the Ming Dynasty, once recorded such a case: a patient's condition was complicated, and several famous doctors gave different diagnoses. In the end, they decided to choose the most appropriate treatment plan by throwing a basket. Although this practice is not scientific in modern medicine, it reflects the way ancient doctors thought when faced with complex cases.
As a widely spread folk custom, divination has shown a variety of regional characteristics in different parts of China. These local variants not only reflect local cultural traditions, but also demonstrate the flexibility of divination in adapting to different environments.
In Fujian, divination is closely linked to the local Mazu beliefs. Every year in the third lunar month, the Mazu temple fair on Meizhou Island in Putian holds a grand sacrifice event. Divination plays a key role in this process. Devotees make a basket to decide the route and time of the parade of the Mazu statue. An interesting tradition is the "head incense" ceremony. On Chinese New Year's Eve, hundreds of worshippers gather in front of the Mazu Temple and compete to throw baskets. The first person to receive the sacred reed is expected to receive special favor from Mazu in the new year. This unique ritual not only reflects the importance of divination in Fujian, but also reflects the local people's devotion to the Mazu faith.
Divination in Taiwan is closely related to the local religious life. In temples in Taiwan, a common ritual called "asking the gods" is common. Believers first meditate on the question in their hearts and then throw the basket. Depending on how the cup lands, you can get a "holy basket" (one positive and one negative), a "laughing basket" (both facing upwards) or a "array basket" (both facing upwards). Among them, "Shoko" is considered to be the consent of the gods, "Laughing Basket" is interpreted as the gods smiling and needs to be asked again, and "Jinxiao" is considered to be the disagreement of the gods. This way of reading is widely popular in Taiwan and has become a unique cultural phenomenon in the local area.
In Guangdong, divination is closely related to the local ancestral hall culture. In the ancestral halls of the clans in Guangdong, the ceremony of "throwing the basket to choose the day" is often held. This ritual is used to decide the date of important affairs, such as ancestor worship, wedding, etc. A typical example occurred in Guangzhou at the end of the Qing Dynasty. At that time, a large family had to choose a burial date for a respected elder in the clan. Family members toss baskets in the ancestral hall for three consecutive days until they receive three consecutive "sacred baskets". This date was then determined as the funeral date. This practice not only reflects the importance of divination in Guangdong, but also reflects the respect of the local people for clan traditions.
In Jiangsu, divination is combined with the local garden culture to form a unique tradition of "garden basket throwing". The Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou preserves such an interesting tradition. In one of the pavilions in the middle of the garden, there is a special area for throwing baskets. Visitors can make basket throws and predict their fortunes. This practice not only adds interest to the garden tour, but also breathes new life into the ancient method of divination. It is said that the Qing Dynasty literati Yuan Mei once threw a basket here and got the "holy basket". He then wrote a poem praising the beauty of the garden and the joy of throwing baskets.
In Shanxi, divination has a unique connection with the local opera culture. In the performance of some local operas, there will be a scene of divination. The actors decide the direction of the plot by throwing baskets, and this interactive performance method is very popular with the audience. For example, in the Jin drama "Robbing Relatives", there is a wonderful scene of throwing baskets. The hero and heroine decide whether to elope or not by throwing a basket. This practice of integrating basket throwing into opera performances not only increases the interest of the drama, but also reflects the universality of divination in Shanxi folk life.
In Yunnan, divination is combined with the culture of ethnic minorities to form a unique way of divination. In the case of the Yi people, they have a divination ritual called "hexagram". This ritual uses three special bamboo tubes instead of the traditional cups. Wizards predict good luck by throwing these bamboo tubes. An interesting tradition is that during the Yi New Year celebrations, villagers gather to throw baskets en masse. This ritual is not only a form of divination, but also an important activity to strengthen community cohesion.
In Zhejiang, divination is closely linked to the local business culture. The silk merchants of Hangzhou had a unique tradition: before signing important contracts, the two sides would throw baskets together. If you get the "holy reel", you think that the business will go well. This practice not only reflects the trust of merchants in divination, but also reflects the unique elements of Hangzhou's commercial culture. It is said that Hu Xueyan, a famous silk merchant in Hangzhou during the Qing Dynasty, often used this method to make major business decisions.
In the Sichuan region, divination is integrated with the local tea culture, forming a unique tradition of "tea sharing". In some long-established teahouses, customers can enjoy tea while doing divination. This combination of divination and leisure has breathed new life into the ancient practice of basket throwing. For example, the "Sanxingtang" teahouse in Chengdu retains this tradition. It is said that Guo Moruo, a literati during the Republic of China, once threw a basket here and recorded the results in his diary.
As a part of traditional Chinese culture, divination is constantly evolving and developing in modern society. It not only retains the core content of the tradition, but also blends with the modern lifestyle to take on a new look and form.
In the religious realm, divination still plays an important role in many temples and Taoist temples. For example, the Baiyun Temple in Beijing holds an annual "basket throwing to choose the day" ceremony, which is used to determine the dates of important Taoist events. In 2018, Baiyunguan adopted this traditional method when choosing the date of the Quanzhen sect's ordination. The Taoist priests solemnly threw the basket in front of the Sanqing Palace, and finally determined the auspicious day suitable for passing the ring. This practice not only maintains the Taoist tradition, but also attracts the attention of many believers and tourists, making it a unique cultural experience.
In the tourism industry, divination has become a characteristic item in many scenic spots. Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, has developed an innovative "electronic basket throwing" system. Visitors can make a virtual basket throw by touching the screen, and the system will automatically display the results and give an explanation. This modern way of throwing the basket not only retains the essence of traditional culture, but also caters to the habits of modern people. According to statistics, since the introduction of this system in 2015, the number of visitors to Kaiyuan Temple has increased by about 20%, and a large part of them are attracted by this novel basket throwing experience.
In the field of education, divination is also used as a tool for traditional cultural education. Some primary and secondary schools have introduced basket throwing into their cultural curriculum to allow students to experience this traditional practice first-hand. In 2019, a primary school in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, held a "Basket Throwing Cultural Festival", where students not only learned the history and methods of basket throwing, but also participated in the basket throwing competition. This entertaining and educational method effectively stimulates students' interest in traditional culture and opens up a new way for the inheritance of the basket throwing culture.
In the field of technology, divination has also been combined with modern technology to produce some interesting innovations. In 2020, a tech company developed an AI-based basket throwing app. The user only needs to simulate the basket throwing action on the mobile phone, and the app can analyze the user's action and the content of the problem to give corresponding interpretations. The app quickly became popular, with more than one million downloads in a short period of time. Although some have questioned whether this practice violates the traditional spirit of basket throwing, it has undoubtedly breathed new life into this ancient practice.
In the business world, divination is also cleverly used in marketing. Some businesses incorporate basket throwing elements into product designs or promotions to attract consumers' attention. For instance, in 2021, a well-known beverage company launched the "Basket Throwing Drink" series. The inside of the bottle cap is printed with the words "holy basket" and "laughing basket", and consumers can simulate throwing the basket by flipping the cap. This kind of creativity not only increases the interest of the product, but also arouses consumers' attention to traditional culture. Sales of the series are reported to have increased by 40% within three months of their launch.
On social media platforms, divination has also become a popular form of content. Many influencers and bloggers use live broadcasts or short videos to show viewers the process of throwing baskets and interpret them. In 2022, an influencer from Taiwan launched a "Basket Throwing Challenge" campaign on the Douyin platform, attracting millions of users to participate. Participants are required to demonstrate their throwing skills in a video and share the results of the throw. This kind of interactive content not only allows the culture of basket throwing to spread among young people, but also breathes new vitality into this traditional custom.
In the field of art, divination has also become a source of inspiration for some artists. In 2023, a well-known contemporary artist held an installation art exhibition in Shanghai called "Life of Throwing a Basket". In the exhibition, the artist simulates the process of throwing baskets through large-scale mechanical devices, and the audience can experience the throwing of baskets by controlling the devices. This attempt to combine traditional cultural elements with modern art has sparked extensive discussions in the art world and the public, and also provided new ideas for the inheritance of the basket throwing culture.
In the field of sports, some local governments and civil society organizations have tried to develop basket throwing into a formal competitive sport. In 2024, Fujian Province will host the first "Fujian Provincial Basket Throwing Championship". The competition consists of two events: individual competition and team competition, and participants need to complete a series of basket throwing tasks within the specified time. This attempt to turn traditional customs into sports not only opens up a new way for the inheritance of the basket throwing culture, but also provides a new idea for the development of local characteristic culture.
In international cultural exchanges, divination has also become a window to display traditional Chinese culture. In recent years, a number of overseas Chinese cultural centers and Confucius Institutes have begun to incorporate the basket throwing experience into their cultural activities. For example, in 2025, the Chinese Cultural Center in Paris will hold a week-long "Basket Throwing Cultural Festival". The event includes not only the basket throwing experience, but also related lectures and exhibitions. This kind of cultural exchange activity not only enhances the understanding of Chinese culture among foreign friends, but also opens up a new channel for the international dissemination of the culture of throwing baskets.