卦

Primarily refers to the system of divination associated with the //Yijing// (Book of Changes), specifically denoting the structured binary system of hexagrams.

The glyph functions in three primary capacities:

1. Technical Noun: The physical or conceptual hexagram (the arrangement of broken and unbroken lines).

2. Abstract Noun: The verdict, judgment, or omen derived from the pattern.

3. Verb: To cast a hexagram, to consult the oracle, or to divine using this specific system.

// 爻 (//yáo*): The individual lines within a hexagram; its presence usually indicates a technical discussion of the hexagram's anatomy.

// 筮 (//shì*): Specifically refers to the process of calculation using bamboo or yarrow stalks, whereas 卦 is the resulting pattern.

// 占 (//zhàn*): A broad term for divination or interpreting signs; 卦 is a specialized subset of this practice.

In classical contexts, this glyph typically denotes a formal, ritualized operation based on a structured system and should be distinguished from later colloquial uses implying "guessing" or "speculation." When the text treats the glyph as a technical term, prefer translations that reflect this structure (e.g., "the hexagram," "the oracle") over broad terms like "fortune telling."