Da Liu Ren Chart Construction (起課程序)
The construction of a Da Liu Ren chart (六壬課) is a precise mathematical and symbolic mapping of cosmic energies at the moment of divination. It establishes the Heaven-Earth-Humanity (天地人) triune at the exact moment of inquiry, creating a living snapshot of the cosmos that can be read to reveal truth about any matter.
Step 1: Determine the Foundation (定根基) — Day Stem and Day Branch
Every Da Liu Ren chart is anchored to the Sexagenary Cycle (干支) position of the day of inquiry:
- Day Stem (日干): Represents the Querent — the self, the subjective state, the inner condition of the person asking.
- Day Branch (日支): Represents the Environment — the home, the physical context, the other party, or the external situation.
- Hour Branch (時支): Represents the moment of inquiry, giving temporal precision to the chart.
Example: For a reading on February 21, 2026, the Day Stem is Bing (丙) and Day Branch is Yin (寅).
Step 2: Find the Monthly General (尋月將 — Xún Yuè Jiàng)
The Monthly General (月將) is the most distinctive feature of Da Liu Ren — it represents the Sun's position in the zodiac, providing the system with its astronomical grounding. The Monthly General shifts at the Middle Qi (中氣) of each solar term, not at the solar term's beginning. This precise astronomical alignment distinguishes the system from purely symbolic divination arts.
| Solar Term | Middle Qi | Monthly General |
|---|---|---|
| Start of Spring (立春) | Rain Water (雨水) | Hai (亥) |
| Spring Equinox (春分) | Clear and Bright (清明) | You (酉) |
| Summer Solstice | Grain in Ear (芒種) | Wu (午) |
| Autumn Equinox | Cold Dew (寒露) | Mao (卯) |
| Winter Solstice (冬至) | Major Snow (大雪) | Zi (子) |
Step 3: Construct Earth and Heaven Plates (布地盤 / 布天盤)
The Earth Plate (地盤) is the fixed foundation — the twelve Earthly Branches arranged in their standard compass positions (Zi at North, clockwise through to Hai at Northwest). This never changes.
The Heaven Plate (天盤) is dynamic — it is constructed by placing the Monthly General at the position corresponding to the Hour Branch on the Earth Plate, then arranging the remaining branches in sequence. This rotation creates the celestial overlay that represents current cosmic influences. The Heaven Plate spinning over the fixed Earth Plate produces the unique two-plate configuration that makes every Da Liu Ren chart distinctive to its moment in time.
Step 4: Calculate the Four Courses (定四課 — Sì Kè)
The Four Courses are derived by reading the Heaven Plate positions above the Day Stem and Day Branch:
- First Course (Yang Stem): The Heaven Plate branch sitting above the Day Stem → the visible state of the querent
- Second Course (Yin Stem): The Heaven Plate branch above the First Course position → the hidden state of the querent
- Third Course (Yang Branch): The Heaven Plate branch above the Day Branch → the visible state of the environment
- Fourth Course (Yin Branch): The Heaven Plate branch above the Third Course → the hidden state of the environment
Each pair (First-Second and Third-Fourth) is then analyzed for Ke (克 / Conflict) relationships — which position overcomes which. This conflict analysis determines which of the Nine Course Methods (九宗門) applies, the most foundational technical decision in the entire construction process.
Step 5: Derive the Three Transmissions (起三傳)
The Three Transmissions (三傳) are the central output of every Da Liu Ren reading — they reveal the development and trajectory of the matter being queried:
- Initial Transmission (初傳): The past — the cause, the origin, what has already been set in motion
- Middle Transmission (中傳): The present — the current phase, the active dynamic, the turning point
- End Transmission (末傳): The future — the ultimate resolution, the final outcome if the current trajectory continues
The Three Transmissions are derived using one of the Nine Course Methods (九宗門), which prioritize Conflict (克) as the engine of cosmic movement. Each method applies to a specific pattern found in the Four Courses. The Nine Methods include: Returning Pattern (重審法), Distinct Yin (元首法), Distinct Yang (涉害法), and others — each producing different Transmission derivations.
Step 6: Place the Twelve Divine Generals (布十二神將)
The Twelve Divine Generals (十二神將), also called the Twelve Heavenly Officials (十二天官), are spiritual-energetic agents placed on the Heaven Plate to provide the qualitative coloring of each position. Placement depends on whether it is daytime (sunrise to sunset) or nighttime:
- Daytime: Find Gui Ren (貴人 / Noble Person) position from the Day Stem formula, then distribute remaining generals clockwise.
- Nighttime: Same Gui Ren starting point, but generals distribute counter-clockwise.
The Twelve Generals and their primary meanings:
- 貴人 (Gui Ren / Noble Person): High-level aid, protection, patron support
- 螣蛇 (Teng She / Soaring Snake): Anxiety, deception, nightmares, sudden shocks
- 朱雀 (Zhu Que / Vermilion Bird): News, documents, exams; or lawsuits, quarrels if inauspicious
- 六合 (Liu He / Six Harmonies): Partnership, collaboration, marriage; or conspiracy
- 勾陳 (Gou Chen / Hooked Array): Stagnation, detention, land disputes, legal entanglements
- 青龍 (Qing Long / Azure Dragon): Wealth, promotion, celebration, great opportunity
- 天空 (Tian Kong / Sky Emptiness): Falsehoods, paper promises; can nullify evil
- 白虎 (Bai Hu / White Tiger): Fast action, surgery, bloodshed, violent conflict
- 太常 (Tai Chang / Great Constant): Banquets, ceremonies, routine matters, stable status
- 玄武 (Xuan Wu / Black Tortoise): Theft, loss, occult wisdom; infidelity
- 太陰 (Tai Yin / Great Yin): Hidden allies, secret wisdom, private planning
- 天后 (Tian Hou / Heavenly Empress): Maternal grace, beauty, female influence; potential scandal
The effectiveness of each General depends on the elemental relationship between the General and the palace it occupies — for example, a Wood general (Qing Long) in a Water palace is nourished; in a Metal palace it is overcome and weakened.
Reading the Completed Chart
The practitioner then analyzes the interactions between all elements: the Four Courses reveal the fourfold relationship structure; the Three Transmissions show the past-present-future trajectory; the Twelve Generals indicate the qualitative energies at each position; elemental relationships determine generating and overcoming dynamics; and palace positions locate specific life domains. The integration of all these layers produces a reading of remarkable nuance — advanced practitioners describe the chart as alive, with every element resonating with every other in a dynamic web of meaning.