Liuren Magic Sanctuary
The King of Divination: Calculating Human Affairs with Mathematical Precision
To begin your journey into the mathematical precision of Da Liu Ren, observe this introduction to the Three Styles and the unique human-centric focus of the Ren stems.
Heaven, Earth, and Humanity Layers
Psychological & Archetypal Forces
The Conflict-Driven Engine of Destiny
Weather, Career, & Criminology
Full 十二天将 Data Table
Lesson Responses & Configurations
Weather, Illness, Law, Marriage & More
大全, 指南, 粹萃, 毕法赋 & More
5 Detailed Divination Walkthroughs
Directions, Pairings & Archetypes
Complete Technical Derivations
Study Pathways & Critical Editions
This page is dedicated to Da Liu Ren (大六壬) , the classical system of divination and calculation. While it shares historical roots with our lineage, it is a supplementary study (Five Arts) distinct from the core Liuren Fajiao (六壬法教) practice of protective magic and rituals. Mastering this divination art is NOT required for practicing Liuren magic, though it serves as a powerful diagnostic tool for advanced practitioners.
Da Liu Ren (大六壬) is the most human-centric of the "Three Wonders" (三式), which also include Tai Yi Shen Shu and Qi Men Dun Jia . While Tai Yi focuses on Heavenly Timing and Qi Men on Earthly Space, Da Liu Ren is dedicated to **Human Affairs (人事)**. It functions as a mathematical and symbolic calculus for determining the trajectory of phenomena from their inception to their ultimate resolution.
The system's name derives from the River Map (河圖) principle: "Heaven One generates Water, and Earth Six completes it" (天一生水，地六成之) . Water is represented by the stem Ren (壬), which appears exactly six times in the sexagenary cycle (壬申, 壬午, 壬辰, 壬寅, 壬子, 壬戌), representing an entire movement where an event appears, matures, and dissolves.
Da Liu Ren's origins extend back to the late Warring States period (c. 475–221 BCE). Archaeological findings substantiate this antiquity; specimens of liuren astrolabes (式; shi) have been excavated from tombs dating between 278 BCE and 209 BCE. By the Tang Dynasty, the system was a cornerstone of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
| Dynasty Period | Key Developments | Primary Source Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Warring States | Earliest shi boards found in tombs. | Transition from simple mantic arts to systematic shì. |
| Sui & Tang | Peak frequency of "Ren" in literature; Daliurenxinjing written. | Codification of household, agricultural, and military queries. |
| Song Dynasty | Maturation of mathematical logic in Bi Fa Fu. | Shen Kuo explains the Noble Person and "Void" logic. |
| Ming & Qing | Publication of Liu Ren Da Quan and Liu Ren Zhi Nan. | Encyclopedia storage in Siku Quanshu; high-level military application. |
Note: The Song Dynasty scholar Shen Kuo (沈括) provided critical technical commentary in his Dream Brook Essays (夢溪筆談) , noting that the rotation of the twelve spirits was fundamentally an astronomical simulation.
Da Liu Ren is unique among the Three Styles for its emphasis on the "Three Talents" (天、地、人): Heaven, Earth, and Humanity.
The fixed foundation representing ground reality . This plate remains stationary and provides the baseline for all calculations.
The dynamic layer whose orientation is set by the Monthly General (月將; Yuè Jiàng) —the solar-based branch representing the sun's position in the zodiac. Primary sources like Liu Ren Zhi Nan (六壬指南) specify that the Monthly General shifts upon the sun crossing the "Middle Qi" (Zhong Qi) of the solar term, not the beginning.
These symbols revolve above the plates to signify psychological intent and human agency . According to Shen Kuo's analysis, the "Noble Person" (Gui Ren) serves as the anchor; the direction of rotation (clockwise or counter-clockwise) is determined by whether the Noble Person resides in the "Yang" or "Yin" sector of the Earth Plate (divided by the Si-Hai line).
The Twelve Generals are the psychological and archetypal forces that animate the chart. Each carries specific elemental associations and classical imagery.
| General | Element | Classical Imagery and Signification |
|---|---|---|
| 貴人 (Gui Ren) | Earth | The Master/Noble: Divine assistance and official rank. |
| 螣蛇 (Teng She) | Fire | Oddity/Anxiety: Deceit, strange animals (turtles/snakes). |
| 朱雀 (Zhu Que) | Fire | Message/Literary: Documents, birds, legal speech, or "red mouths" (gossip). |
| 六合 (Liu He) | Wood | Harmony: Marriage, middleman, or "scholar" imagery. |
| 勾陳 (Gou Chen) | Earth | Entanglement: Lawsuits, contracts, or being "hooked." |
| 青龍 (Qing Long) | Wood | Nobility/Blessing: Wealth, good fortune, spring renewal. |
| 天空 (Tian Kong) | Earth | Emptiness: Illusion, false hope, or "paper promises." |
| 白虎 (Bai Hu) | Metal | Ferocity: Military force, speed, death, or "wind god" attributes. |
| 太常 (Tai Chang) | Earth | Stability: Ritual, ceremony, ancestral protection. |
| 玄武 (Xuan Wu) | Water | Shadow: Theft, hidden motives, or "river and lake" environments. |
| 太阴 (Tai Yin) | Metal | Secret/Female: Hidden affairs, darkness, or female intrigue. |
| 天后 (Tian Hou) | Water | Empress/Mother: Nurturing, fertility, or domestic affairs. |
The transition from the static Four Classes (which establish the relationship between the Day Stem and Day Branch) to the dynamic Three Transmissions is governed by the Nine Sect Methods . These methods prioritize "Conflict" (克; Ke) as the engine of destiny.
"Harmony hides the signs of fortune and misfortune; only through conflict does the 'killing intent' emerge, revealing the true form of luck."
— Liu Ren Zhi Nan (六壬指南)
Prioritizes "Below attacking Above" (賊; Zei). This signifies an inferior challenging a superior—a potent driver of change.
If multiple conflicts exist, use the one that matches the day's Yin/Yang polarity.
If polarities match, the transmission is chosen based on which branch "wades" through the most environmental difficulty on its path to the Earth Plate.
If no internal class conflict exists, look to remote conflicts between the Day Stem and the Heaven Plate.
Used when the board is "peaceful" (no conflict); it relies on the You (Pleiades) branch to trigger movement, signifying a potential "hidden danger" that must be monitored.
Used for specific days where a "separate responsibility" is assigned via special branch combinations.
Used when the day stem and branch share the same palace, necessitating a "monopoly" logic based on clockwise/counter-clockwise counts.
Occurs when the plates don't move. It represents stagnation or being trapped.
Occurs when plates are 180° apart, signifying extreme volatility and a "come and go" nature.
Written by Ling Fuji (凌福之) during the Song Dynasty, the Bi Fa Fu is the practical "DNA" of the system, consisting of verses that condense complex chart patterns into "Golden Rules."
Classic texts like Liu Ren Duan An (六壬斷案) and Liu Ren Bian Yi (六壬辨疑) provide historical cases that demonstrate the system's "truth detection" capabilities.
Logic: In Da Liu Ren, the branch Zi represents clouds and Mao represents thunder. A practitioner places the Monthly General on the current hour and observes the presence of "Blue Dragon" (Qing Long). If Qing Long rides a Water branch (Hai/Zi) and restricts the Day Stem, rain is certain.
Case Evidence: If Qing Long rides Si/Wu (Fire) over Hai/Zi (Water), it is called "playing in the rivers/lakes"—meaning clouds are present but no rain falls.
Logic: Promotion is analyzed through the "Officer" (Guan) branch and the "Noble Person" (Gui Ren).
Historical Case: A scholar seeking office finds the "Noble Person" in the "Heavenly Gate" (the branch Hai). This is termed "Entering the Heavenly Gate," suggesting a direct audience with the Emperor or a high official.
Ominous Sign: If the transmission shows "White Tiger" (Bai Hu) restricting the Day Stem, it suggests the promotion is "poisoned"—the new rank will bring sudden disaster or physical injury.
Logic: Liu He (Six Harmonies) is the primary "God of Marriage."
Case Analysis: A query about a potential spouse shows the Day Stem and Day Branch in a "Reversal" (Fan Yin) pattern. This suggests that while there is initial attraction, the two parties are fundamentally at odds, leading to a "come and go" relationship where no stability is found.
Fidelity Detection: If "Black Tortoise" (Xuan Wu) appears in the Second Class (the "Yin" or hidden side of the querent), it indicates secret motives or an illicit affair that has not yet been revealed.
Logic: Theft is tracked via the "Black Tortoise" (Xuan Wu) general.
Analysis: If Xuan Wu is on a branch that "generates" the Day Branch, the thief is likely an internal member of the household (a "relative" branch). If the branch is in "Void" (Kong Wang), the stolen goods have already been dispersed and cannot be recovered.
While Da Liu Ren is primarily a divination system, within Liuren Fajiao (六壬法教) it serves a specialized diagnostic function.
When a practitioner encounters a complex affliction—whether spiritual interference, curse work, or energetic blockage—they may "cast a chart" to identify the root cause and timing of the disturbance. This is NOT fortune-telling, but rather a precision diagnostic tool analogous to medical imaging in Western medicine.
Example: If a client reports recurring nightmares and financial loss, the practitioner casts a Da Liu Ren chart. If "Soaring Snake" (Teng She) appears on the Hour Branch while "Black Tortoise" (Xuan Wu) rides the Day Stem, this suggests deceptive spiritual interference from a hidden source . The ritual prescription would then focus on Exorcism (驅邪) and Sealing (封印) rather than general protection.
In modern application, Da Liu Ren is utilized as a "timing and truth radar." Through the synthesis of mathematical plate rotation and the qualitative insights of the Bi Fa Fu, Da Liu Ren remains a sophisticated model of "human thought and environmental vibration."
While Ba Zi provides a "blueprint" of life and Qi Men Dun Jia provides "spatial strategy," Da Liu Ren uncovers "hidden leverage"—revealing the psychological states and true intentions of all parties involved in a situation.
The Twelve Heavenly Generals are the spiritual agents of the Da Liu Ren system. They are assigned to the Heaven Plate starting from the position of 贵人 (Guì Rén / Noble Person), whose placement is determined by the Day Stem and whether the chart is daytime or nighttime. Once 贵人 is placed, the remaining eleven generals follow in a fixed sequence — clockwise for daytime (顺行) , counter-clockwise for nighttime (逆行) .
Daytime Sequence: 贵人 → 螣蛇 → 朱雀 → 六合 → 勾陈 → 青龙 → 天空 → 白虎 → 太常 → 玄武 → 太阴 → 天后
Nighttime Sequence: 贵人 → 天后 → 太阴 → 玄武 → 太常 → 白虎 → 天空 → 青龙 → 勾陈 → 六合 → 朱雀 → 螣蛇
| # | General (Chinese) | Pinyin | Element | Yin/Yang | Positive Meaning | Negative Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 贵人 | Guì Rén | Earth (土) | Yang | Aid from authority, divine protection, official matters resolved favorably. In illness: recovery through a skilled physician. | When void (空亡) or overcome, the promised help never materializes — a patron who fails to act. |
| 2 | 螣蛇 | Téng Shé | Fire (火) | Yin | Spiritual awareness, prophetic dreams, transformation through crisis. | Deception, anxiety, nightmares, fire hazards, entanglement. In illness: psychological distress, insomnia. |
| 3 | 朱雀 | Zhū Què | Fire (火) | Yang | Good news, successful examinations, eloquent speech, scholarly matters. | Quarrels, verbal conflict, lawsuits, slander, false accusations. In illness: fever, inflammation. |
| 4 | 六合 | Liù Hé | Wood (木) | Yin | Successful partnerships, harmonious marriage, profitable trade, mediation succeeding. | Illicit unions, secret dealings, conspiracies. In missing persons: someone hides them willingly. |
| 5 | 勾陈 | Gōu Chén | Earth (土) | Yang | Stability through discipline, military success, property matters resolved. | Arrest, detention, being "hooked" — unable to move. Land disputes, slow-moving matters, legal stalemates. |
| 6 | 青龙 | Qīng Lóng | Wood (木) | Yang | Wealth gain, promotions, pregnancy, celebrations, auspicious beginnings. The most auspicious general alongside 贵人. | When overcome or void (空亡), the promised joy is empty — wealth that slips away, celebrations that never happen. |
| 7 | 天空 | Tiān Kōng | Earth (土) | Yang | Nullifies malicious influences — when harmful Shen Sha lands on 天空, its effect is voided. | Failed plans, unreliable people, forgeries, hollow promises. In illness: misdiagnosis. In transactions: broken contracts. |
| 8 | 白虎 | Bái Hǔ | Metal (金) | Yang | When generating the Day Stem: life-saving surgery, danger narrowly avoided, decisive action. | Death, serious injury, blood, surgery, road accidents. The most feared inauspicious general. In lawsuits: severe punishment. |
| 9 | 太常 | Tài Cháng | Earth (土) | Yin | Banquets, promotions with formal ceremony, religious rites, good food and drink. In business: hospitality industry. | Funeral rites, mourning garments, being stripped of official status (having one's robes removed). |
| 10 | 玄武 | Xuán Wǔ | Water (水) | Yang | Deep intuition, occult knowledge, mastery of hidden arts. In spiritual matters: profound insight. | Theft, burglary, adultery, loss, deception, hidden matters. In illness: kidney/bladder, sexually transmitted diseases. |
| 11 | 太阴 | Tài Yīn | Metal (金) | Yin | Hidden allies, secret assistance from behind-the-scenes patrons, precious objects and jewelry. | Conditions not yet visible (early-stage illness), secret settlements, bribery. In missing persons: hidden by a woman. |
| 12 | 天后 | Tiān Hòu | Water (水) | Yin | Marriage prospects, feminine grace, pregnancy, beauty, romance. Associated with 妈祖 (Māzǔ) and divine feminine authority. | Promiscuity, scandal involving women, manipulation through seduction. In illness: gynecological conditions. |
| Day Stem | Daytime 贵人 Position | Nighttime 贵人 Position |
|---|---|---|
| 甲 (Jiǎ) / 戊 (Wù) | 丑 (Chǒu) | 未 (Wèi) |
| 乙 (Yǐ) / 己 (Jǐ) | 子 (Zǐ) | 申 (Shēn) |
| 丙 (Bǐng) / 丁 (Dīng) | 亥 (Hài) | 酉 (Yǒu) |
| 庚 (Gēng) / 辛 (Xīn) | 午 (Wǔ) | 寅 (Yín) |
| 壬 (Rén) / 癸 (Guǐ) | 巳 (Sì) | 卯 (Mǎo) |
The 课应 (Kè Yìng) system classifies every Da Liu Ren chart into named configurations (格局 gé jú) based on the relationships between the Four Lessons, the Day Stem, and the Nine Derivation Methods used. Classical texts catalog 64 standard configurations , paralleling the 64 hexagrams of the Yi Jing. The board has 720 possible configurations when accounting for all variable combinations of the Heaven Plate rotation across the twelve hours.
Each chart configuration is called a 课体 (Kè Tǐ / "Lesson Body"), which encapsulates the structural type of the reading. The Lesson Body determines the fundamental nature of the situation before any specific analysis begins. A practitioner first identifies which of the Nine Methods derived the chart, then reads the corresponding 课体 meaning.
| Configuration | Chinese | Derivation Method | Structural Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head of Origin | 元首 (Yuán Shǒu) | 贼克 (single instance) | Standard, orthodox. Clear initiator, defined cause, straightforward progression. "The head leads the body." |
| Repeated Trial | 重审 (Chóng Shěn) | 比用 (multiple instances) | Complex matter requiring multiple assessments. Competing causes, rival aggressors, simultaneous conflicts. |
| Knowing the One | 知一 (Zhī Yī) | 比用 (Yin/Yang resolves) | Self-knowledge resolves ambiguity. The querent's own nature determines the decisive influence. |
| Crossing Harm | 涉害 (Shè Hài) | 涉害 method | Deep entanglement. The trigger is buried under layers of complication. Complex legal disputes, inheritance battles. |
| Distant Overcome | 遥克 (Yáo Kè) | 遥克 method | Danger or opportunity not immediately visible. The cause originates from an unexpected, seemingly unrelated quarter. |
| Pleiades Star | 昴星 (Mǎo Xīng) | 昴星 method | Situation so static that only celestial guidance provides direction. Rare — either trivially simple or profoundly mysterious. |
| Special Responsibility | 别责 (Bié Zé) | 别责 method | All external dynamics exhausted. Resolution lies in the querent's own inherent relationships — their "destined partner." |
| Eight Specials | 八专 (Bā Zhuān) | 八专 method | Self-referential: querent is both subject and object. Personal transformation, identity crises, self-examination. |
| Hidden Moaning | 伏吟 (Fú Yín) | Heaven = Earth (aligned) | Total stagnation. "伏吟主忧疑" — governs worry and doubt. The querent is paralyzed, unable to act. |
| Returning Moaning | 返吟 (Fǎn Yín) | Heaven = Earth + 180° | Extreme volatility. "返吟主反复" — everything reverses. Agreements broken, people leave and return. Auspicious for recovering lost items. |
| Configuration | Chinese | Key Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Virtue | 龙德 (Lóng Dé) | Querent receives unexpected virtue and aid from 青龙. |
| Tiger Gaze | 虎视 (Hǔ Shì) | 白虎 in a threatening position — danger watches and waits. |
| Three Lights | 三光 (Sān Guāng) | Sun, Moon, and Stars aligned — extreme good fortune, official promotion. |
| Six Instruments | 六仪 (Liù Yí) | The six Yang Stems properly positioned — order, ceremony, proper channels. |
| Sky Net Open | 天网开 (Tiān Wǎng Kāi) | The restrictive "sky net" has gaps — escape is possible, obstacles lift. |
| Sky Net Closed | 天罗地网 (Tiān Luó Dì Wǎng) | Trapped completely — no escape in any direction. Lawsuits, imprisonment. |
| Ascending Stairs | 登阶 (Dēng Jiē) | Step-by-step ascent — promotion, advancement, progressive success. |
| Horse Mounted | 驿马 (Yì Mǎ) | Travel, movement, relocation, news from afar. |
Beyond the Lesson Body, the Three Transmissions form their own narrative patterns:
| Pattern | Chinese | Narrative Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| All three generating | 三传递生 | Smooth, effortless progress from start to finish. |
| All three overcoming | 三传递克 | Constant conflict at every stage of the matter. |
| Generate then overcome | 生而后克 | Good start, complications arise, forced resolution. |
| All same element | 三传比和 | Monotony — stagnation disguised as consistency. |
| First = Final, Middle different | 回环格 | The matter returns to its starting point — a cycle. |
| Ascending (Water→Wood→Fire) | 进茹格 | Progressive improvement, step-by-step advancement. |
| Descending (Fire→Wood→Water) | 退茹格 | Gradual decline, retreating, pulling back. |
Da Liu Ren was historically the primary military divination system of the Chinese imperial court, but its application extends far beyond the battlefield. Classical texts systematize distinct reading methodologies for each question type, each with its own set of key indicators, primary generals, and judgment criteria.
| Category | Chinese | Primary Generals | Key Indicators | Classical Judgment Logic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather | 天气占 | 玄武 (rain), 青龙 (wind) | Heaven Plate above 辰 (Dragon governs rain); Water branches active in Transmissions | If 玄武 rides Water and Dragon carries Water → rain certain. If Fire dominates → drought. 螣蛇 + 朱雀 prominent → extreme heat. |
| Lost Objects | 失物占 | 玄武 (thief), 太阴 (hidden) | 玄武's branch position = thief's direction. If branch generates Day Branch → internal theft (household member). | Branch in 空亡 → goods dispersed, unrecoverable. 返吟 → goods return. 太阴 → item concealed nearby. |
| Illness | 疾病占 | 白虎 (pain/surgery), 天鬼 (root cause) | Ghost element reveals affected organ: Wood=Liver, Fire=Heart, Earth=Spleen, Metal=Lung, Water=Kidney. | 天医 (Heavenly Doctor) branch overcomes the Ghost → cure exists. 死气 in Final Transmission → fatal prognosis. |
| Lawsuits | 官讼占 | 朱雀 (documents), 勾陈 (arrest) | Lessons 1-2 = plaintiff, Lessons 3-4 = defendant. Side generating Day Stem wins. | 朱雀 in 空亡 → legal claim collapses. 勾陈 prominent → arrest/detention. Final Transmission's 合 branch → resolution date. |
| Marriage | 婚姻占 | 六合 (matchmaker), 天后 (bride) | 六合 in 生旺 → marriage proceeds. In 死墓空 → marriage fails. Day Stem/Branch generating → compatibility. | 玄武 in partner's Lessons → infidelity. 天后 generating Day Stem → the bride brings warmth. 返吟 → on-again off-again. |
| Travel | 出行占 | 驿马 (movement), 白虎 (road danger) | 驿马 in First Transmission = rapid departure. 白虎 on Travel branch → road accidents. | Transmissions form Water frame controlling Day → forced return. 六合 → travel with companion. 天空 → destination disappoints. |
| Missing Persons | 失踪占 | 玄武 (voluntary flight), 六合 (accomplice) | Day Branch = last location; Heaven Plate above it = direction moved. Alive check: 长生 position present vs. 死/墓. | 白虎 in Final Transmission → person may be dead. 太阴 → hidden by a woman. 天后 → with a romantic partner. |
| Childbirth | 产育占 | 天后 (mother), 青龙 (vitality) | Yang branches in First Transmission = male. Yin branches = female. Mixed → twins. | 天后 in 生旺 → safe delivery. 白虎 in First Transmission → cesarean needed. 天后 in 空亡 → difficulty conceiving. |
Da Liu Ren illness diagnosis is remarkably specific — often pinpointing the affected organ and prognosis before any medical examination:
Classical warning: When 死气 appears in the Final Transmission and the Day Stem is simultaneously void (空亡): 药石无功 (yào shí wú gōng) — "Medicine and acupuncture are useless."
The following cases draw from classical sources (大六壬指南, 大六壬大全, 六壬断案) and demonstrate the full analytical workflow: plate setup, Four Lessons, Three Transmissions, General analysis, and outcome verification.
Context: A general asks whether to advance against a fortified city.
Date: 丙寅 (Bǐng Yín) day, 卯 (Mǎo) hour, 9th lunar month.
Four Lessons:
Three Transmissions: 亥 (Water + 玄武) → 卯 (Wood + 六合) → 未 (Earth)
Analysis: 客克主 appears in multiple lessons — the enemy dominates the initial phase. 玄武 on the First Transmission signals a deceptive enemy strike (feigned retreat or night attack). But the Final Transmission 未 (Earth) overcomes Water — the enemy's advantage is ultimately controlled.
Verdict: "Do NOT attack now." Wait for the 中传 (alliance) energy, then counterattack. The text records the general waited 15 days, received reinforcements from a neighboring garrison, and took the city with minimal losses .
Context: A merchant's son disappears. The father asks: Where is he? Is he alive?
Date: 甲子 (Jiǎ Zǐ) day, 未 (Wèi) hour, 7th lunar month.
Key Positions:
Three Transmissions: 巳 (Fire — sudden, impulsive departure) → 戌 (Earth — hiding in a storage building) → 卯 (Wood — found through a go-between)
Alive/Dead Check: Day Stem 甲 (Yang Wood). Wood's 长生 position is 亥 — present and not voided. First Transmission 巳 is Wood's 死 position (alarming), but 巳 generates 戌 (Fire→Earth), transforming the "death" energy rather than terminating it.
Outcome: The son was found alive at an inn in the southeast district , having fled after a gambling debt. Found through a mediator within 3 days — exactly as the 卯 (3 positions from 子) indicated.
Context: A woman asks about her husband's persistent illness — doctors cannot identify the cause.
Date: 庚申 (Gēng Shēn) day, 巳 (Sì) hour, 11th lunar month.
天鬼 Analysis: Day Stem 庚 is Yang Metal. The "ghost" of Metal is Fire (Fire overcomes Metal). First Transmission: 午 (a Fire branch). Confirmed: Heavenly Ghost is Fire.
Diagnosis: Fire attacking Metal = Heart Fire overwhelming Lung Metal . Respiratory condition caused by an inflammatory process — fever damaging the lungs.
天医 (Heavenly Doctor): Water overcomes Fire. The Water branch 子 is in 旺 (flourishing) phase (11th month = Water's season). Seek a doctor from the northern direction (子 = North). Use cooling herbs, hydration, kidney-nourishing medicine.
Three Transmissions: 午 (Fire Ghost — inflammation) → 亥 (Water — treatment arrives) → 辰 (Earth — illness resolves but leaves residual dampness).
Outcome: The patient recovered after being treated with 麦门冬汤 (Mài Mén Dōng Tāng / Ophiopogon Decoction) , a classic Water-element cooling formula. Long-term management addressed post-inflammatory fluid retention.
Context: A CEO asks the optimal day within the coming week to sign a major joint-venture contract.
Date of Inquiry: 甲戌 (Jiǎ Xū) day, 巳 (Sì) hour, 10th lunar month.
Requirements for an auspicious contract chart:
Optimal Day Found: 戊寅 (Wù Yín) day — 六合 rides 寅 (rooted partnership), 青龙 rides 辰 (double-Dragon = extraordinary wealth), 朱雀 carries Metal (ironclad contract in a Metal-favorable month), and 白虎 rides 戌 (danger is entombed).
Outcome: The CEO signed on 戊寅 day. The joint venture proved highly successful — the partner company exceeded its investment commitment, consistent with 青龙 in a double-Dragon configuration indicating extraordinary wealth manifestation .
Mastery of Da Liu Ren requires deep study of the classical literature. The following texts form the canonical curriculum — each serves a distinct pedagogical purpose.
Period: Qing Dynasty compilation, drawing on earlier sources.
The most comprehensive and systematically organized Liu Ren reference. Covers the full methodology from plate setup to interpretation, with extensive annotated case judgments (断案). Organized by topic: general theory, the Twelve Generals, the Nine Derivation Methods, and specialized divination categories. Considered the primary "textbook" for Liu Ren study — most modern practitioners begin here. The illness diagnosis and military affairs chapters are particularly acclaimed for their precision.
Period: Ming Dynasty (attributed to 郭御青 Guō Yùqīng), spanning centuries of material.
An encyclopedic collection at over 100 volumes in some editions — the largest single Liu Ren reference work. Includes historical prefaces, theoretical foundations, detailed tables, case studies from multiple dynasties, and commentary from various masters. Contains rare techniques and case studies not found elsewhere. The 毕法赋 (Bì Fǎ Fù) commentary , historical Song/Yuan case studies, and specialized weather divination tables are especially valuable.
Period: Qing Dynasty (attributed to 俞谈源 Yú Tányuán).
A refined distillation focusing on the most practical and commonly applied techniques. Shorter and more focused than the 大全, with the author's own case studies and personal practitioner's perspective. Where the 大全 can overwhelm with scope, the 粹萃 guides the practitioner to essential methods. Particularly strong on legal and interpersonal divination.
Period: Song Dynasty origin, transmitted through subsequent dynasties.
A rhymed verse (赋 fù) encoding the fundamental interpretation rules. Each line is a compact formula: a specific configuration followed by its meaning. Contains approximately 120 verses , memorized by practitioners as a "lookup table" during readings. Famous verses include:
Period: Various — compiled by different masters across dynasties.
Case-by-case records of actual divinations, including full chart setup, the practitioner's reasoning, the judgment given, and the actual outcome . These are the "case law" of Liu Ren. Theory alone cannot make a skilled practitioner — one must study hundreds of actual cases to develop interpretive intuition. Study method: Read the chart setup first, attempt your own judgment, then compare with the master's analysis.
| Text | Chinese | Period | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Six Ren Great Divination | 六壬大占 | Tang Dynasty | Military applications, early systematic framework |
| Six Ren Heart Mirror | 六壬心镜 | Song Dynasty | Intuitive, meditation-based approach to reading |
| Six Ren Sight | 六壬视斯 | Ming Dynasty | Simplified method for rapid field divination |
| Ren Compendium | 壬归 | Qing Dynasty | Summary and cross-reference of all major Liu Ren texts |
| Great Six Ren Simplified | 大六壬说约 | Qing Dynasty | Concise introduction for beginners, bridges to advanced study |
The classical saying captures the system's extraordinary diagnostic precision:
学会大六壬，来人不用问。
(Xué huì Dà Liù Rén, lái rén bú yòng wèn.)
"Master Da Liu Ren, and you need not ask the person who comes to you anything."
The path requires: (1) Memorize the 毕法赋 — all 120+ verses. (2) Practice plate construction daily — aim for sub-2-minute setup. (3) Study at least 500 case studies from the 断案 collections. (4) Develop intuitive recognition of the Twelve Generals' "personalities." (5) Cross-reference with BaZi (八字) and Qi Men Dun Jia (奇门遁甲) for comprehensive readings.
The following five cases are drawn from the classical case-judgment collections (六壬断案) of Chen Gongxian (Ming Dynasty) and Shao Yanhe (Song Dynasty), offering detailed Four-Lesson / Three-Transmission analyses with verified outcomes. Study each chart independently before reading the master's verdict.
Source: Da Liu Ren Zhi Nan (大六壬指南) by Chen Gongxian, Ming Dynasty
Question: A man inquires about a planned journey to the capital — worried illness will prevent him.
Date: Bing Wu Day (丙午日), Shen Hour (申时). Monthly General: Yin (寅 — Tiger / 1st month).
Four Lessons (四课):
Three Transmissions: Shen (申 — Traveling Star) → Zi (子 — Officer/Ghost) → Chen (辰 — Tomb)
Analysis: The Transmissions Shen-Zi-Chen form a complete Water Bureau (申子辰水局) — Water extinguishes Day Stem Bing (Fire). The Middle Transmission Zi is the Officer/Ghost (官鬼) for Bing Fire and clashes the Day Stem directly. White Tiger on Shen signals road danger; Chen is the tomb — the journey ends in stagnation.
Verdict: Chen Gongxian judged: "You will return unsuccessfully. The journey is blocked not by your own illness, but by an external force and a domestic crisis."
Outcome: The man was forced back by a local army's blockade (Officer/Ghost Zi Water controlling Fire = military power). Upon returning, he found his mother had fallen critically ill — the Day Branch's parent-element pressure in the Yin (寅) position revealed a family member in danger.
Key teaching: The "Return Bow" (还魂格) pattern occurs when the Transmissions form an element frame that controls the Day Stem — the querent is driven back to their starting point regardless of intention. Watch for Water Bureau restraining Fire Day Stems in travel inquiries.
Source: Da Liu Ren Duan An (大六壬断案) by Shao Yanhe, Song Dynasty
Question: A household lost their cat — will it return?
Date: Ji Chou Day (己丑日), Si Hour (巳时). Day Stem: Ji (Earth). Day Branch: Chou (Earth/Ox).
Three Transmissions: Xu (戌) → You (酉) → Shen (申) — moving backward through the branch cycle.
Pattern: Retreating Ring (退茹格) — the branches retreat in sequence (Xu→You→Shen). The day's Earth anchors (Ji Day Stem + Chou Branch) clamp the Transmissions within a local Earth-Metal cycle.
Analysis: The backward movement signifies the lost object is returning to its origin. The "clamping" by Earth elements confirms the object has not traveled far and is contained within the immediate environment.
Verdict: Shao Yanhe declared: "The cat is not lost. It is hiding nearby and will return naturally."
Outcome: Found the same day hiding under the granary (Earth/Metal environment). The Retreating Ring's backward energy brought it home without any active search.
Key teaching: 退茹格 in lost-object readings consistently indicates the item is nearby and self-returning — advise the querent to wait rather than search. The element of the hiding place is revealed by the Three Transmissions' dominant element.
Question: A scholar asks about his chances in the provincial examinations.
Date: Jia Yin Day (甲寅日).
Three Transmissions: Hai (亥) → Mao (卯) → Wei (未) — forming a complete Wood Bureau (亥卯未三合木局) .
Analysis:
Ke Ying: "The Dragon Flies into the Sky" (龙飞冲天) — a San He Bureau formed from the Day Stem's own element represents complete self-actualisation.
Outcome: The scholar placed first (解元 / Jie Yuan) in the provincial examination. The harmonious three-way Wood configuration indicated total, unobstructed success.
Key teaching: When Three Harmonies (三合) form the same element as the Day Stem in examination, promotion, or enterprise questions, the outcome is near-certain success. The entire cosmic configuration aligns with the querent's aim.
Question: A bureaucrat asks whether he will be promoted this year.
Date: Geng Chen Day (庚辰日).
Initial Transmission: Wu (午) — Fire / the Officer Star for Geng Metal.
Critical Factor: Heavenly Void (天空 Tiān Kōng) rides the Officer Star Wu (午).
Analysis: Wu Fire is strong — it correctly overcomes Geng Metal (Day Stem), producing a legitimate Officer-controls-Self structure indicating an appointment is due. However, 天空 nullifies substance: the title exists only as form. The promise is structurally correct yet hollow.
Verdict: "The promotion will appear on paper but will not materialise in practice."
Outcome: His name appeared on the official promotion list but was removed at the last moment due to a political intervention — the "Void Officer" confirmed the title existed but could not be grasped in reality.
Key teaching: Even strong, structurally correct Officer lines — ones that properly control the Day Stem — are nullified when 天空 rides the key indicator star. This pattern recurs identically for job offers retracted, contracts voided at signing, and promotions reversed. Always check whether the decisive star carries 天空.
Source: Da Liu Ren Duan An by Shao Yanhe, Song Dynasty
Question: The magistrate prays for snow during a winter drought.
Date: Ren Chen Day (壬辰日).
Three Transmissions: Hai (亥) → Zi (子) → Chou (丑) — the complete Northern Water triad.
Analysis:
Verdict: Shao Yanhe declared: "Snow will fall immediately — the chart leaves no room for doubt."
Outcome: Heavy snow fell the same day. The absolute Water dominance — no Fire or Earth branch in the chart to oppose it — made the judgment certain without requiring complex multi-layer analysis.
Key teaching: When all Three Transmissions share a single element corresponding to the desired phenomenon (rain/drought/wind), the result is near-certain at maximum intensity. Elemental purity in the Transmissions amplifies the outcome to its fullest expression.
Beyond individual meanings, the Twelve Generals interact with the Earthly Branches to produce specialized spiritual forces unique to Da Liu Ren — forces not found in BaZi or Qi Men Dun Jia. Mastery of these forces transforms a technically competent practitioner into a true divining artist.
| Shen Sha | Chinese | Identification | Divinatory Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavenly Ghost | 天鬼 (Tiān Guǐ) | First Transmission acting as the "ghost" (克) of the Day Stem's element | Reveals the nature of affliction. In illness: the pathogenic force. In spiritual diagnosis: the interfering entity's elemental nature and origin. |
| Heavenly Doctor | 天医 (Tiān Yī) | The branch whose element overcomes the 天鬼 element | Points to the cure — the direction, type of physician, or treatment modality that will succeed. Its position on the plate indicates where healing will come from. |
| Life Qi | 生气 (Shēng Qì) | Branch in the "long life" (长生) phase of the Day Stem's element | Vitality, recovery, new beginnings. When appearing in the Transmissions: the matter retains life and can be revived. |
| Death Qi | 死气 (Sǐ Qì) | Branch in the "death" (死) phase of the Day Stem's element | In Final Transmission with a void Day Stem: fatal prognosis. Classical verdict: 药石无功 (yào shí wú gōng) — "Medicine and acupuncture are useless." |
| Heavenly Eye | 天目 (Tiān Mù) | Specific branch-General configuration that reveals hidden information | Penetrates concealment — used extensively in theft and missing-person cases to identify what ordinary inquiry cannot surface. |
| Closed Mouth | 闭口 (Bì Kǒu) | Configuration indicating deliberate suppression of information | The witness will not speak; the secret will not be revealed voluntarily. Associated with threats, coercion, or deep shame preventing disclosure. |
The Three Wonders are the Heavenly Stems 乙 (Yǐ) , 丙 (Bǐng) , and 丁 (Dīng) . When these appear in the Three Transmissions in proper sequence, they signal extraordinary fortune capable of redeeming even an otherwise inauspicious chart:
Classical saying: 三奇得使，万事皆宜 (Sān qí dé shǐ, wàn shì jiē yí) — "When the Three Wonders are properly deployed, all matters are auspicious."
When both 德 (Virtue) and 禄 (Prosperity) stars appear together in the Three Transmissions, the classical verdict is absolute:
德禄临身，诸事皆吉 (Dé lù lín shēn, zhū shì jiē jí) — "When Virtue and Prosperity arrive at oneself, all matters are auspicious."
| Formation | Chinese | Basis | Divinatory Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavenly Virtue | 天德 (Tiān Dé) | Monthly-determined auspicious branch | Divine protection — disasters averted even when the chart carries grave indicators. |
| Monthly Virtue | 月德 (Yuè Dé) | Monthly virtue star (changes by month) | Positive monthly outcomes — particularly strong for legal matters and official appointments initiated during its active month. |
| Daily Virtue | 日德 (Rì Dé) | Day Stem in a "virtue" position relative to the current configuration | Personal integrity protects the querent — the matter resolves through principled action rather than force. |
| Heavenly Prosperity | 天禄 (Tiān Lù) | Day Stem's Lu (禄) star positioned favorably in the chart | Material wealth, official salary, and stable income confirmed — the state and the cosmos provide for the querent's needs. |
| Level | Sha Name | Chinese | Meaning in Chart Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Grand Duke | 太岁 (Tài Suì) | Supreme annual authority. Clashing 太岁 in a chart signals major annual disruption — legal, health, or relational upheaval. |
| Year | Year Breaker | 岁破 (Suì Pò) | Branch directly opposite 太岁 — maximum annual vulnerability. Projects initiated from this position collapse. |
| Month | Monthly Commander | 月建 (Yuè Jiàn) | The month's reigning Earthly Branch — governs the current lunar month's collective affairs. |
| Month | Month Breaker | 月破 (Yuè Pò) | Branch opposite 月建 — affairs initiated this month under 月破 are prone to failure or reversal. |
| Day | Day Prosperity | 日禄 (Rì Lù) | Branch holding the Day Stem's Lu position — signals personal strength and material comfort when active in the Transmissions. |
| Day | Day Horse | 日马 (Rì Mǎ) | Branch holding the Day Stem's Travel Horse (驿马) — activation in the Transmissions confirms movement, travel, and news from afar. |
The Four Lessons (四课 Sì Kè) are the diagnostic core of every Da Liu Ren chart. Each lesson is an upper-lower pair: the upper component "rides" (乘) the lower, and their elemental relationship reveals the dynamic between querent (Subject / 主) and the matter being asked about (Object / 客).
| Lesson | Lower Position (下) | Upper Position (上) | Represents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Lesson (第一课) | Day Stem's associated branch: 甲→寅, 乙→卯, 丙/戊→巳, 丁/己→午, 庚→申, 辛→酉, 壬→亥, 癸→子 | Heaven Plate branch riding above the Day Stem's associated branch | The querent's own internal state — "I, as I am now." |
| 2nd Lesson (第二课) | The upper branch from the 1st Lesson | Heaven Plate branch riding above the 2nd Lesson's lower | What the querent projects outward — their actions and influence on the situation. "What I project." |
| 3rd Lesson (第三课) | Day Branch (日支) from the Sexagenary Cycle pillar | Heaven Plate branch riding above the Day Branch | The external situation, the other party. In marriage: the spouse. In business: the counterparty. "The object of inquiry." |
| 4th Lesson (第四课) | The upper branch from the 3rd Lesson | Heaven Plate branch riding above the 4th Lesson's lower | What the other party projects outward — their intentions and hidden motives. "What they project." |
Lessons 1 & 2 = 主 (Zhǔ / Subject / Host) — the querent's side. Lessons 3 & 4 = 客 (Kè / Object / Guest) — the other party's side. This polarity is the primary analytical axis of every reading.
| Relationship | Chinese | Analytical Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Subject overcomes Object | 主克客 | The querent has the upper hand — initiative and advantage lie with the querent. Act boldly. |
| Object overcomes Subject | 客克主 | The querent is at a disadvantage — the other party dominates the situation. Exercise caution. |
| Subject generates Object | 主生客 | The querent expends resources for the other party's benefit. Generous but ultimately draining. |
| Object generates Subject | 客生主 | The other party benefits the querent. Auspicious — external support and resources arrive. |
| Same element — stalemate | 比和 | Neither side dominates. Competition or genuine cooperation — context determines which. Neither wins decisively. |
Source: 毕法赋 (Bì Fǎ Fù), classical teaching case for 比用 methodology
Question: Will this scholar pass the imperial examination?
Date: 壬辰 (Rén Chén) day, 午 (Wǔ) hour, 3rd lunar month. Monthly General: 酉 (Yǒu) placed on 午 (Wǔ) hour.
Four Lessons:
Derivation Method: Single instance of upper-overcomes-lower in the 2nd Lesson (Si over Shen) → standard 贼克 (Zéi Kè) . Si becomes the Initial Transmission.
Three Transmissions: 巳 (Sì — Fire) → 子 (Zǐ — Water) → 未 (Wèi — Earth)
Verdict: The scholar passes, but not at top honors. Fire of the Initial Transmission has the force to overcome Metal (the examiners); Water in the Middle shows active intellectual engagement. However, the Final Earth restrains — the result is solid but ranked in the middle rather than at the apex.
Key teaching: Even in "success" charts, the Final Transmission's element reveals the quality of the outcome. Fire→Water→Earth shows: the ambition acts (Fire), intelligence deploys (Water), but institutional structures limit the final achievement (Earth restrains Water).
The following structured pathway moves a student from first principles through advanced mastery across a multi-year curriculum. It reflects the traditional Chinese transmission model (师徒制 shī tú zhì) combined with modern self-directed textual study.
The classical standard for a skilled Da Liu Ren practitioner is captured in the famous verse from Master traditions across dynasties:
学会大六壬，来人不用问。
(Xué huì Dà Liù Rén, lái rén bú yòng wèn.)
"Master Da Liu Ren, and you need not ask the person who comes to you anything."
This is not hyperbole — it reflects the system's diagnostic precision. A skilled practitioner constructs a chart at the moment a querent arrives ( 来占时 ) and reads from the cosmic configuration alone: the nature of the question, the current state of the querent's affairs, the key obstacle or opportunity, and the trajectory toward resolution. The querent's spoken words are confirmatory, not revelatory.
| Text | Chinese | Study Phase | Primary Pedagogical Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Da Liu Ren Shuo Yue | 大六壬说约 | Phase 1 | First introduction; chart construction fundamentals for beginners |
| Bi Fa Fu | 毕法赋 | Phase 1–2 | Core interpretation rules; memorisation non-negotiable for fluent reading |
| Da Liu Ren Zhi Nan | 大六壬指南 | Phase 2 | Systematic methodology and primary case study anthology |
| Liu Ren Duan An | 六壬断案 | Phase 2–3 | Annotated historical cases; develops interpretive intuition through real outcomes |
| Liu Ren Cui Sui | 六壬粹萃 | Phase 3 | Legal and interpersonal specialisation; practitioner's personal perspective |
| Da Liu Ren Da Quan | 大六壬大全 | Phase 3 | Encyclopaedic reference; rare techniques and multi-dynasty case studies |
| Liu Ren Xin Jing | 六壬心镜 | Phase 3 | Intuitive, contemplative approach — the "heart-mirror" behind the analytical method |
Master the King of Divination. Da Liu Ren is the most precise tool for understanding human affairs and hidden dynamics. Inquire for specialized instruction enrollment.