BaZi / Four Pillars (八字命理)
BaZi (八字), or the Four Pillars of Destiny, is the most widely practiced system of Chinese destiny analysis. It translates an individual's birth year, month, day, and hour into four pairs of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. This creates an "Elemental Imprint" that reveals the potential, character, and timing of one's life.
Classical Sources
- Yuan Hai Zi Ping (淵海子平): Compiled by Xu Da Sheng, this is the "Genesis Block" of modern BaZi. It marks the historical transition from the ancient Year-based astrology to the modern Day-based Zi Ping method. Introduced the concept that the Day Stem (日干) represents the "Self."
- Di Tian Sui (滴天髓): Considered the "Holy Grail" of BaZi, focusing on Qi and Li (理氣) — the flow and quality of energy. Introduces Zhong He (中和) — Central Harmony — and Tong Guan (通關) — Bridging through a mediating third element.
- Zi Ping Zhen Quan (子平真詮): Written by Shen Xiao Zhan. The definitive technical manual for Ge Ju (Structure) and Yong Shen (Useful God). Establishes the Month Command (月令) as the root of destiny structure.
- Qiong Tong Bao Jian (窮通寶鑒): The master guide to Tiao Hou (Seasonal Adjustment). Treats the Ten Stems as living organisms within a seasonal ecosystem.
- San Ming Tong Hui (三命通會): Twelve-volume encyclopedic work by Wan Min Ying. Preserves the Na Yin (Melodic Elements) system and a vast directory of Shen Sha (神煞).
- Shen Feng Tong Kao (神峰通考): Famous for the Illness and Medicine (病藥) theory. "Great success comes from having a Great Illness met by a Great Medicine."
Technical Layers of Analysis
- The Day Master (日主): The Heavenly Stem of the birth day represents the core "Self." Its strength relative to the season is the starting point of every audit.
- The Ten Gods (十神): Sociological relationships (wealth, fame, parents, children) translated into elemental interactions.
- Chart Structure (格局 Ge Ju): The eight standard common structures derived from the Month Decree.
Chart Structures (格局)
- Direct Officer (正官格): Authority and ethics.
- 7-Killings (七殺格): Power and aggression.
- Direct Wealth (正財格): Stable assets.
- Indirect Wealth (偏財格): Dynamic windfalls.
- Food God (食神格): Creativity and health.
- Hurting Officer (傷官格): Intelligence and rebellion.
- Direct Seal (正印格): Knowledge and support.
- Indirect Seal (偏印格): Esoteric wisdom.