Yijing Research · Harmen Mesker
Exploring the Yijing through its sources.
Research, translations and lectures on the Zhouyi, Wenwang Gua and the history of Chinese divination.
Research meets practice
Yijing Research × Nourishing Destiny Academy
Harmen Mesker and Johannes Bloemsma bring classical Chinese sources and practical experience together in courses on the Yijing and Wenwang Gua.
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Yijing Research
Harmen Mesker
Historical sources · Translation · Research
Nourishing Destiny Academy
Johannes Bloemsma
Practical application · Teaching · Guidance
Latest writing
Recent contributions
New work and observations from the research archive.
Research areas
Explore the Yijing
Original texts, their transmission, and the different ways the Book of Changes has been studied and used.
From the archive
Selected research
Articles, translations and critical examinations of the sources.
Reviews and criticism · 30 Aug 2026
Benebell Wen’s I Ching, the Oracle: A Critical Review
Benebell Wen’s I Ching, the Oracle: A Practical Guide to The Book of Changes is an ambitious, beautifully produced and very substantial book. It combines translation, commentary, divination practice, ritual, symbolism, historical…
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Translation Notes · 16 Apr 2005
Some observations
The Chinese character of hexagram 20, guān 觀, is most of the time translated as ‘contemplation’, ‘observing’ or something similar. There is nothing wrong with that, and even though 觀 has more…
Read article →Translation Notes · 17 Mar 2014
Youwang 攸往
I am reinvestigating the phrase you wang 攸往: Li Xueqin 李学勤 says you 攸 was a place where king Di Yi 帝乙 travelled to, to perform sacrifices. This is interesting because Di Yi is mentioned in…
Read article →Video lectures
The Fascinating World of Wenwang Gua
Historical divination cases explained through original Chinese sources. Follow the reasoning behind the judgments and the methods used.
Explore the video library →文王卦
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About the researcher
Harmen Mesker
Studying the Yijing since 1982, Harmen works with the history and language of the Zhouyi, early Chinese sources and traditional methods of divination. His research and teaching bring textual study and practical experience together.
Read the full biography and recommendations →Research and teaching
Beyond the articles
Books, lectures and courses are all part of the continuing study of the Yijing.
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