The I Ching has been translated into English over a hundred times since the 19th century.
Our Original Translation is a synthesis derived from comparing nine primary sources:
James Legge (1899, public domain), Richard Wilhelm & Cary Baynes (1950), John Blofeld (1965),
Da Liu (1975), Ritsema & Karcher (1994), Thomas Cleary (1987-2003), and Wu Jing-Nuan (1991).
The Confucian commentaries attributed to Confucius (as preserved in Legge's edition) are included in the synthesis
for their historical and philosophical depth. No copyrighted translation has been reproduced verbatim.
Instead, the meaning was distilled from all sources and re-expressed in original language — a new
stream drawn from the same ancient well. The words belong to the Tao, not to any publisher.
✦ Original Translation (Gnostic Synthesis) ✦
2024
Synthesis / Perennial Philosophy
A new synthesis derived from comparing multiple translations and the original Chinese
public domain text. This translation prioritizes clarity, poetic flow, and spiritual
depth while remaining legally distinct from any copyrighted source. The words belong
to the Tao — no one can own what flows through all.
"Primal power brings vast progress and success. Persisting in what is right yields benefit." — Hexagram 1
James Legge
1882
Victorian Academic / Confucian
The first scholarly English translation of the I Ching. Legge, a Scottish sinologist,
approached the text with Victorian precision and Confucian reverence. His translation
is dense, literal, and includes extensive commentaries. While not the most readable,
it remains a cornerstone of I Ching scholarship.
"The Khien (Heaven) is the symbol of the great and originating power." — Hexagram 1
Richard Wilhelm & Cary Baynes
1923 (German) / 1950 (English)
Western Esoteric / Jungian
The most influential English translation in the Western world. Wilhelm, a German missionary
in China, worked with Chinese sage Lau Nai Suan. Carl Jung wrote the foreword, calling the
I Ching a "psychological mirror." Baynes's English version is poetic, accessible, and
remains the standard reference for most Western readers.
"The I Ching does not offer itself with proofs and results; it does not vaunt itself,
nor is it easy to approach." — Carl Jung, Foreword
✧ COMPARISON: HEXAGRAM 40 (DELIVERANCE), LINE 3 ✧
| Translator | Translation of Line 3 |
|---|
| ✦ Original Translation (Gnostic Synthesis) |
"Carrying a burden on the back while riding in a carriage encourages robbers. Perseverance leads to humiliation." |
| Wilhelm/Baynes (1950) |
"If a man carries a burden on his back and nonetheless rides in a carriage, he thereby encourages robbers to draw near. Perseverance leads to humiliation." |
| Legge (1882) - Public Domain |
"The third line, magnetic, shows a porter with his burden, yet riding in a carriage. He will only tempt robbers to attack him. However firm and correct he may try to be, there will be cause for regret." |
| Liu (1975) |
"A man carries goods on his back and rides in a carriage – thus invites robbers to come. To continue brings humiliation." |
| Ritsema & Karcher (1994) |
"Bearing, moreover riding. Involving outlawry culminating. Trial: abashment." |
| Wu (1991) |
"A man bearing a load rides in a carriage. What he swaggers is conducive to robbery. Even though he does nothing wrong, he will be humiliated." |
| Blofeld (1965) |
"Traveling with both luggage-bearers and a carriage, he attracted the attention of robbers. To persist would bring misfortune." |
| Shaughnessy (1996) |
"Carrying on the back and riding in a cart brings robbers to arrive; determination is distressful." |
| Cleary (1987/2003) |
"Riding bearing a burden causes enemies to arrive. Even being righteous one is humiliated." |
| Clarity / Barrett (2015/2023) |
"Shouldering a burden while also riding in a carriage Invites the arrival of bandits.Constancy, shame." |
The differences may seem subtle, but each translator's word choice reflects a deeper
philosophical orientation — from the poetic to the literal, the mystical to the academic.
Toss the coins, listen to the voice that speaks to you, and explore the many faces of
the ancient oracle.
⚠ A NOTE ON COPYRIGHT & THE WILHELM/BAYNES TRANSLATION ⚠
Richard Wilhelm's German translation was completed in 1923 — over a century ago.
Yet his English rendering, beautifully interpreted by Cary Baynes (1950), remains locked under corporate
copyright, still treated as "property" decades after its creators have passed into the Tao.
This is absurd. Wisdom this ancient, words that have consoled and guided humanity for
three thousand years, cannot be owned — only channeled. The corporations who cling to these translations
like misers hoarding sunlight do so not out of respect for the text, but for the ledger. The I Ching itself
teaches that what is grasped too tightly is lost. Let the words be free.
✦ For this reason, this oracle prioritizes the public domain Legge translation (1882) and our original
synthesis, while including copyrighted versions only as scholarly references, properly attributed. ✦