Why Chinese ‘ask rice’ divination ritual involves using 1,080 round grains

A mysterious and ancient tradition in China involves practitioners who try to predict the future and communicate with the spirit world via a ritual known as rice divination, or mun mai, in the south of the country.\nIts origins can be traced back to the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and a belief that all things in nature followed patterns and cycles, which are closely connected to human fortune and misfortune.\nThe term “rice divination” comes from the main component used in the practice, 1,080 round grains of rice in a bowl.\nPractitioners interpret omens based on the number of grains randomly grasped in each draw.\n\nThe number 1,080 holds symbolic meaning within a numerological system derived from the Yijing, or Book of Changes.\nA framework exists that links numbers with the five elements and hexagrams, using the interplay of yin and yang to infer the development and transformation of events.\nAfter rising to prominence during the Han dynasty, rice divination gradually spread across China and became an important part of folk belief systems over time.\nIt was widely used to predict the future, determine auspicious or inauspicious outcomes, and make decisions on important matters such as marriage.\n\nThis ritual often involves a female spirit medium who is believed to be possessed by the spirits of the dead, enabling communication with the living.\nIn the southern Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, the ritual requires setting up an altar covered in white rice. Summoning spirits is strictly forbidden during the seventh lunar month.\nIn Xiaogan, Hubei province, central China, female spirit mediums often perform rituals in secluded rooms and claim to receive messages through physical contact.\nThe ritual follows a set of strict procedures.\nFirst, exactly 1,080 smooth rice grains are used as divination tools and placed in a container.\nBefore beginning the divination, the practitioner silently recites their question along with basic personal information, then burns incense and chants a prayer to the gods.\nNext, the practitioner uses their thumb and index finger to grab the rice three times.\n\nThe lower trigram, upper trigram and changing lines which are key concepts in the Yi Jing, are determined by the number of grains picked in each round, which are then recalculated and transformed using mathematical formulas.\nThe result is interpreted by combining the trigrams and analysing them according to the principles of the Yi Jing.\nBeyond these basic steps, rice divination also includes specific techniques.\nFor example, during the grabbing process, the practitioner must maintain a light and steady hand to avoid spilling grains.\nSome experienced practitioners further refine the process by developing more sophisticated methods to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the divination outcomes.\n