根据《礼书 · 表记》记载，中国古代殷商王朝在处理大小事务之前，都要用龟壳干燥后的甲骨进行占卜，那时候的巫师在龟甲上钻洞，加以烧灼后，龟甲上会形成裂痕，巫师再根据裂痕的形状，判断神的旨意，这就是最早的占卜工具。
这个传统一直保留到现在，筊杯至今可以被用于占卜、求问、寻找灵感、预测未来等许多目的。
近代的筊杯有时被宗教神棍用做骗财工具，方式是在筊杯中灌铅或水银，以控制其正反面的呈现。
Jiaobei is a tool used to communicate with gods or to predict the future. They are made out of wood or bamboo and carved into a crescent shape. A pair of clam shells can also be used.The answer to the question or the prediction of the future is then determined based on which sides shells fall and their relative positioning. The jiaobei can be used for divination, seeking guidance, finding inspiration, and predicting the future, among other purposes.
