Abstract:
This post outlines a project idea to create Fortune-Telling NFTs by blending the ancient wisdom of the I-Ching with modern blockchain technology. It explores the cultural and personal motivations behind the concept, details the envisioned interactive fortune-telling process (from user question to hexagram generation and interpretation), and touches on potential Web3 integrations and future development steps, including leveraging LLMs for interpretation.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
My father was deeply involved with fortune-telling and the I-Ching. He dedicated a lot of time to self-study and even dabbled in programming related to it. When I was younger, I never quite grasped his fascination. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more humble about what I truly know and what is perhaps unknowable. Fortune-telling, at its core, often requires an acknowledgment of forces or patterns greater than oneself, which can be a challenging concept for technically-minded people like me. It used to be off-putting, but I’ve grown to be more open to it.
My curiosity about this whole area intensified after my father passed away. He left behind extensive writings in Chinese (which I can’t fully read), numerous partially read books (which I’ve since given away), and a sense of many things left incomplete. This feeling is a significant motivation for this project idea: I’d like to explore and perhaps “complete” something he would have deeply appreciated. Plus, honestly, I think the concept of a Fortune-Telling NFT would be incredibly cool.
Understanding the I-Ching: Yin/Yang, Trigrams, and Hexagrams
At its heart, the I-Ching (or “Book of Changes”) can be seen as a system of 64 archetypal situations, each represented by a hexagram. A hexagram is composed of six lines, and each line can be either yin (broken line: ⚋) or yang (solid line: ⚊). This gives 2^6 = 64 possible combinations.
Think of it almost like a highly spiritual “lookup table.” But instead of decoding passwords from hashes, each I-Ching entry decodes a “6-bit hash” (the hexagram) into guidance and wisdom based on Taoist principles of yin/yang, energy flow (Qi), and observations of nature.
Key concepts:
- Lines: Individual lines in a hexagram are read from bottom to top.
- Trigrams: A hexagram is formed by two trigrams (three-line symbols). The bottom trigram is read first, setting the internal stage or foundation, and then the top trigram, representing the external situation or culmination.
- Yin and Yang: The broken line (⚋) is yin, representing receptive, yielding, or passive energy. The solid line (⚊) is yang, representing creative, active, or initiating energy. It’s crucial to understand that energy flow isn’t just one-way (e.g., yang always leading to yin). Instead, there’s a dynamic, cyclical interplay where yin can transform into yang and vice versa, much like the continuous cycle of day and night.
- Line Positions in a Trigram: Each line’s position within a trigram also carries meaning:
- Bottom Line: Represents the foundation, youth, new beginnings, or the root from which action starts.
- Middle Line: Signifies the mediator, connection, ongoing process, growth, or the heart of the matter.
- Top Line: Denotes culmination, conclusion, maturity, wisdom, final stages, leadership, or outcomes.
The interpretations and statements associated with each hexagram and its lines are traditionally found in the I-Ching text. However, a deep understanding of the underlying principles of energy flow and trigram symbolism can provide insight even without direct textual reference. For instance, the imagery of each trigram (like Wind below Lake) can guide the interpretation of energy dynamics.
When Energy Flow Clashes with the Situation
A fascinating aspect is when the inherent energy flow suggested by a hexagram (e.g., a movement from active yang to passive yin) seems to conflict with the nature of the question asked or the querent’s current situation (which might call for action). This perceived conflict often indicates an imbalance, hidden tensions, or a need for transformation or reassessment. The I-Ching might be advising that the underlying dynamics are different from what’s apparent, urging a deeper look.
The Envisioned Fortune-Telling NFT Experience
My idea is to create an NFT that provides a dynamic, interactive I-Ching reading:
- The Question & Context: The user asks a specific question and provides their “Four Pillars of Destiny” (birth hour, day, month, and year), which adds a layer of personal astrological context.
- Generating the Lines: An animated on-screen representation of the traditional yarrow stalk sorting ritual (or coin toss method) would be used to generate each of the six lines of the hexagram, one by one.
- Visualizing Energy Flow: As each line is revealed, animations would depict the flow of energy. Smooth, harmonious flows could suggest alignment with the query, while erratic or blocked flows might indicate tension or conflict. “Changing lines” (lines that are so strongly yin or yang they are about to transform) would also be animated differently, as they are key to deeper interpretations.
- Progressive Interpretation: As the lines form the bottom trigram, then the top trigram, and finally the complete hexagram, preliminary interpretations would be revealed. An LLM could play a role here, helping to detect if the emerging hexagram seems in harmony or conflict with the initial question.
- The Final Reading: Once the complete hexagram is formed (and any changing lines are considered, potentially leading to a second related hexagram), a detailed interpretation would be presented. This interpretation would explain how the interplay of energies, the symbolism of the trigrams and hexagram, and the context of the question come together to provide guidance.
The overarching goal of this interactive process is not just to give a “fortune” but to teach the user about the fundamentals of Taoism, the I-Ching, the concepts of yin/yang, the elements, and the rhythms of nature as reflected in the hexagrams.
Project Next Steps (Todos)
- Develop a Prototype: Build an initial version, likely as a specialized RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) system focused on I-Ching knowledge, built on top of a capable LLM.
- Web3 Integration Strategy: Think through the NFT collection supply, tokenomics (perhaps exploring standards like ERC-404 or SPL-22 for unique properties), and how the fortune-telling experience itself integrates with the blockchain (e.g., storing the reading, minting unique visual representations of the hexagram).
Appendix: The Eight Trigrams (Bagua)
- Qian (☰) - Heaven/Sky: Strength, creativity, initiative. Strong yang. Father, authority. Movement, expansion.
- Dui (☱) - Lake/Marsh: Joy, satisfaction, openness. Youngest daughter. Communication, pleasure. Exchange, eloquence.
- Li (☲) - Fire: Light, warmth, clarity. Middle daughter. Sun, enlightenment, attachment. Intelligence, purification.
- Zhen (☳) - Thunder: Action, initiative, movement. Eldest son. Arousal, motivation. Change, awakening.
- Xun (☴) - Wind/Wood: Penetration, flexibility, persistence. Eldest daughter. Gentle influence, adaptability.
- Kan (☵) - Water: Danger, the unknown, the abyss. Middle son. Moon, hidden depths. Facing challenges, learning.
- Gen (☶) - Mountain: Stillness, stability, rest. Youngest son. Contemplation, peace.
- Kun (☷) - Earth: Receptivity, nourishment, support. Strong yin. Mother. Acceptance, devotion.
This project feels like a meaningful way to connect with my father’s interests and explore the intersection of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology.
