Cast & Chart

Yes or no with the moon blocks

In Chinese temples, people ask a yes or no question by throwing two crescent-shaped blocks, called 筊杯 (jiǎobēi). Each block lands flat side up or round side up, and the pair gives one of three answers.

A throw is a traditional way of reflecting on a question. It cannot decide health, money, law, marriage or children.

Medical, legal, financial and safety questions belong with a qualified person, not with a throw.

Ask something a yes or no can answer. Your question stays in this browser. It is never sent, stored or put in a link, and it has no effect on the result.

Hold your question in mind, then throw the blocks.

The three answers

What it isHow it works