BaZi Glossary
A complete reference of key terms in Chinese birth chart reading and the Four Pillars of Destiny system.
BaZi
八字"Eight characters." The Chinese system of destiny analysis using Four Pillars calculated from birth year, month, day, and hour.
Four Pillars
四柱The four columns in a BaZi chart: Year, Month, Day, and Hour Pillar. Each contains a Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch.
Day Master
日主The Heavenly Stem of your Day Pillar. It represents your core identity and is the most important element in your chart.
Heavenly Stems
天干The 10 celestial elements: 甲 Jiǎ, 乙 Yǐ, 丙 Bǐng, 丁 Dīng, 戊 Wu, 己 Jǐ, 庚 Gēng, 辛 Xīn, 壬 Ren, 癸 Guǐ.
Earthly Branches
地支The 12 terrestrial elements, also associated with the Chinese zodiac animals: 子 Zǐ (Rat), 丑 Chǒu (Ox), 寅 Yin (Tiger), 卯 Mǎo (Rabbit), 辰 Chen (Dragon), 巳 Si (Snake), 午 Wǔ (Horse), 未 Wei (Goat), 申 Shēn (Monkey), 酉 Yǒu (Rooster), 戌 Xū (Dog), 亥 Hai (Pig).
Five Elements
五行Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. The fundamental forces in Chinese metaphysics that interact through productive and controlling cycles.
Ten Gods
十神Ten relationship patterns between your Day Master and other elements: Friend, Rob Wealth, Eating God, Hurting Officer, Indirect Wealth, Direct Wealth, Seven Killings, Direct Officer, Indirect Seal, Direct Seal.
Productive Cycle
相生Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood.
Controlling Cycle
相剋Wood parts Earth, Earth dams Water, Water extinguishes Fire, Fire melts Metal, Metal chops Wood.
Yin and Yang
陰陽Each element has a Yang (active, outward) and Yin (receptive, inward) polarity. This gives 10 Day Masters from 5 elements.
Sexagenary Cycle
六十甲子The 60-year cycle formed by combining 10 Heavenly Stems with 12 Earthly Branches. The foundation of the Chinese calendar.
Solar Terms
節氣24 divisions of the solar year used in BaZi to determine month boundaries. More precise than lunar months.
Luck Pillars
大運10-year life phases in BaZi that indicate shifts in elemental influence over time.
Archetype
In Elemental Fate, a unique personality profile created by combining a Day Master with a dominant Ten Gods pattern. There are 40 archetypes.