The stroke count of the character cai 才is simple and easy, but its original meaning, derived meanings, and loaning is extremely complicated. Because its original meaning has not been properly understood, scholars have been unable to accurately discuss its evolution and have missed the mark in defining its meaning in texts. Now that we know cai 才split off and evolved from yi 弋 (杙), we are in a better position to evaluate its derived meanings, and to reassess the abstruse phrase "san cai" 三才in the I Ching.