A number of divination techniques developed around the astronomic observations and burial practices (see Feng shui, Guan Lu). Apparently, the latter type was a part of the medical and veterinary practice, as well as a part necessary in match-making and marketing choices. Divination of the xiang 相 type (by appearance – of the human body parts, animals etc.), however, was sometimes criticized (the Xunzi, 'Against divination'). Those methods were sanctioned by the royal practice since Shang and Zhou dynasties.

Two well known methods of divination included bǔ 卜 (on the tortoise shells) and shì 筮 (on the stalks of milfoil shī 蓍). 'Examination of doubts' 稽疑 part of the Great Plan zh:洪範). The oldest accounts about the practice of Chinese divination describe it as a measure for 'solving doubts' (e.g. For example, 'Saju' in Korea is the same as the Chinese four pillar (Chinese: 四柱八字) method. Over time, some of these concepts have moved into Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese culture under other names.

There are many methods still in practice in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and other Chinese-speaking regions such as Malaysia and Singapore today. 'fate calculating') has utilized many varying divination techniques throughout the dynastic periods. The fortune teller is counting a woman, in the late 19th century.Ĭhinese fortune telling, better known as Suan ming ( Chinese: 算命 pinyin: Suànmìng lit. 'Li the half wizard' is telling fortune for a young man.

Chinese fortune telling wheel