Yuanhai Ziping: Fundamentals
淵海子平·基礎
Yuanhai Ziping: Fundamentals
淵海子平·基礎
The Five Yang Stems: Taking Jia as Example
五乾屬陽・以甲為例
五乾屬陽，喜合。 以甲為例 見甲：為比肩、兄弟。 見乙：為劫財、敗財，克父及妻。 見丙：為食神、天廚、壽星，為男。 見丁：為傷官、退財、耗氣，子甥。 見戊：為偏財、偏妻、偏妾，克子。 見己：為正財、正妻，克母，為合神。 見庚：為偏官、七殺、官鬼、將星。 見辛：為正官、祿馬、榮神，父母。 見壬：為倒食、偏印、梟神，克女。 見癸：為印綬、正人、君子，產業。
The five yang stems favor combination. Taking Jia (yang Wood) as example: Seeing Jia: Shoulder (bijian) -- siblings. Seeing Yi: Rob Wealth (jiecai) / Defeat Wealth -- harms father and wife. Seeing Bing: Food God (shishen) / Heavenly Kitchen / Longevity Star -- represents sons. Seeing Ding: Hurting Officer (shangguan) / Depleting Wealth / Draining Qi -- nephews. Seeing Wu: Indirect Wealth (piancai) / Secondary Wife / Concubine -- harms children. Seeing Ji: Direct Wealth (zhengcai) / Primary Wife -- harms mother, the combination spirit. Seeing Geng: Indirect Officer (pianguan) / Seven Killings / Ghost of Authority / General Star. Seeing Xin: Direct Officer (zhengguan) / Salary Horse / Glory Spirit -- parents. Seeing Ren: Reversed Food (daoshi) / Indirect Seal (pianyin) / Owl Spirit -- harms daughters. Seeing Gui: Seal Ribbon (yinshou) / Upright Person / Gentleman -- property and estate.
This is the foundational table of the Ten Gods (十神 shishen) system, which classifies the relationship between any two Heavenly Stems. The Ten Gods are: Shoulder (比肩), Rob Wealth (劫財), Food God (食神), Hurting Officer (傷官), Direct Wealth (正財), Indirect Wealth (偏財), Direct Officer (正官), Seven Killings (七殺), Direct Seal (正印), and Indirect Seal (偏印). Each relationship has specific implications for family, career, and fortune.
Xu Dasheng (徐大升, pinyin: Xu Dasheng), also known as Xu Ziping (徐子平), was a Song dynasty scholar traditionally credited with systematizing the Bazi method of destiny analysis. The Yuanhai Ziping is attributed to him, though the received text likely contains later accretions.
The Five Yin Stems: Taking Yi as Example
五乾屬陰・以乙為例
五乾屬陰，喜沖。 以乙為例 見甲：為劫財、逐馬，克妻。 見乙：為比肩、兄弟、朋友。 見丙：為傷官、小人、盜氣，為侄。 見丁：為食神、天廚、壽星，子孫。 見戊：為正財、正妻，克母。 見己：為偏財、偏妻、偏妾，克子。 見庚：為正官、祿馬，克父母。 見辛：為偏官、七殺、官鬼，媒人。 見壬：為印綬、正人、君子，忌殺。 見癸：為倒食、偏印、梟神，克母。
The five yin stems favor clash. Taking Yi (yin Wood) as example: Seeing Jia: Rob Wealth / Chasing the Horse -- harms wife. Seeing Yi: Shoulder -- siblings and friends. Seeing Bing: Hurting Officer / Petty Person / Qi Thief -- represents nephews. Seeing Ding: Food God / Heavenly Kitchen / Longevity Star -- children and grandchildren. Seeing Wu: Direct Wealth / Primary Wife -- harms mother. Seeing Ji: Indirect Wealth / Secondary Wife / Concubine -- harms children. Seeing Geng: Direct Officer / Salary Horse -- harms parents. Seeing Xin: Indirect Officer / Seven Killings / Ghost of Authority -- matchmaker. Seeing Ren: Seal Ribbon / Upright Person / Gentleman -- dislikes the Killer. Seeing Gui: Reversed Food / Indirect Seal / Owl Spirit -- harms mother.
Note the reversal from yang stems: for yin stems, same-polarity interactions produce different results. Yi seeing Bing is Hurting Officer (not Food God as with Jia seeing Bing), because the yin-yang polarity between them differs. This yin-yang distinction is fundamental to the entire Ten Gods system.
General Formula for Hidden Stems in the Branches
論天干地支暗藏總訣
立春念三丙火用，余日甲木旺提綱。 驚蟄乙木未用事；春分乙未正相當。 清明乙木十日管，後來八日癸水洋； 穀雨前三戊土盛，其中土旺要消詳。 立夏又伏戊土取；小滿過午丙火光。 芒種己土相當好，中停七日土高張； 夏至陰生陽極利，丙丁火旺有土張。 小暑十日丁火旺，後來三日乙木芳， 己土三日威風盛；大暑己土十日黃。 立秋十日壬水漲；處暑十五庚金良。 白露七日庚金旺，八日辛兮祇獨行。 寒露七日辛金管，八日丁火又水降； 霜降己土十五日，其中雜氣取無妨。 立冬七日癸水旺，壬水八日更流忙； 小雪七日壬水急，八日甲木又芬芳。 大雪七日壬水管；冬至癸水更潺汪。 小寒七日癸水養，八日辛金醜庫藏； 大寒十日己土勝，術者精研仔細詳。
From the 23rd day after Start of Spring, Bing Fire takes command; the remaining days see Jia Wood strong in the ruling principle. At Awakening of Insects, Yi Wood has not yet taken charge; at Spring Equinox, Yi [and Wei] are exactly aligned. At Clear and Bright, Yi Wood manages ten days, then for eight days Gui Water flows; Three days before Grain Rain, Wu Earth flourishes -- the Earth's peak must be examined in detail. At Start of Summer, Wu Earth again takes hold; past Lesser Fullness at noon, Bing Fire shines. At Grain in Ear, Ji Earth is well suited; for seven middle days, Earth rises high. At Summer Solstice, yin is born and yang reaches its extreme benefit; Bing-Ding Fire is strong with Earth's support. At Slight Heat, Ding Fire is strong for ten days, then for three days Yi Wood is fragrant, and Ji Earth has three days of fierce vigor; at Great Heat, Ji Earth reigns for ten yellow days. At Start of Autumn, Ren Water surges for ten days; at End of Heat, Geng Metal is fine for fifteen days. At White Dew, Geng Metal is strong for seven days, then Xin rules alone for eight. At Cold Dew, Xin Metal manages seven days, then Ding Fire and Water descend for eight; At Frost's Descent, Ji Earth for fifteen days -- among these mixed qi, selection is straightforward. At Start of Winter, Gui Water is strong for seven days; Ren Water flows busily for eight more. At Minor Snow, Ren Water rushes for seven days; for eight days Jia Wood is fragrant again. At Major Snow, Ren Water manages seven days; at Winter Solstice, Gui Water murmurs abundantly. At Minor Cold, Gui Water nurtures for seven days, then Xin Metal hides in the Chou storehouse for eight; At Major Cold, Ji Earth prevails for ten days -- practitioners must study this carefully and in detail.
This mnemonic verse specifies which hidden stem 'takes command' (用事 yongshi) during each segment of each solar term. This is the foundation for determining the Monthly Command (月令) in precise Bazi calculation. The hidden stem in command at the exact time of birth determines which element truly rules the birth month.
Song of Hidden Stems in the Branches
又地支藏遁歌
子宮壬癸在其中，醜癸辛金己土同； 寅宮甲木兼丙戊，卯宮乙木獨相逢； 辰藏乙戊三分癸，巳中庚金丙戊叢； 午宮丁火並己土，未宮乙己丁同宗； 申位庚金壬水戊，酉宮辛字獨豐隆； 戌宮辛金及丁戊，亥藏壬甲是真蹤。
In the Zi palace, Ren and Gui reside within; Chou holds Gui, Xin Metal, and Ji Earth together. In Yin's palace, Jia Wood alongside Bing and Wu; Mao's palace holds Yi Wood encountered alone. Chen conceals Yi, Wu, and a portion of Gui; within Si, Geng Metal clusters with Bing and Wu. Wu's palace has Ding Fire together with Ji Earth; Wei's palace holds Yi, Ji, and Ding of one lineage. At the Shen position: Geng Metal, Ren Water, and Wu; You's palace has the character Xin alone in abundance. Xu's palace holds Xin Metal with Ding and Wu; Hai conceals Ren and Jia -- these are the true traces.
This verse catalogues which Heavenly Stems are 'hidden' (藏 cang) within each Earthly Branch. Each branch contains one to three hidden stems representing the energies stored within it. For example, Yin (寅) contains Jia (Wood), Bing (Fire), and Wu (Earth). The primary hidden stem is called the 'root qi' (本氣), while secondary ones are 'residual qi' (餘氣) or 'tomb qi' (墓氣).
On the Generation, Overcoming, Control, and Transformation of the Five Phases
論五行生剋制化
《論五行生剋制化》各有所喜所害例
On the Generation, Overcoming, Control, and Transformation of the Five Phases: examples of what each favors and what harms it.
The productive cycle (相生 xiangsheng): Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood. The destructive cycle (相剋 xiangke): Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Metal, Metal overcomes Wood. These two cycles are the fundamental mechanics of Bazi analysis.
On the Day Stem as Master
論日為主
《論日為主》
On the Day Stem as Master.
The Day Stem (日主 rizhu, also 日干 rigan) is the single most important element in a Bazi chart -- it represents the self, the person whose destiny is being read. All other elements in the chart are evaluated in terms of their relationship to the Day Stem. This principle -- using the day of birth rather than the year -- is the defining innovation attributed to Xu Ziping.
On the Monthly Command
論月令
《論月令》
On the Monthly Command.
The Monthly Command (月令 yueling) is the second most important factor after the Day Master. It determines the seasonal context -- which element is 'in season' at the time of birth. An element that matches the Monthly Command is said to be 'timely' (得令 deling) and strong; one that opposes it is 'untimely' (失令 shiling) and weak.
On the Fortune and Misfortune of the Grand Year
論太歲吉凶
《論太歲吉凶》
On the fortune and misfortune brought by the Grand Year.
The Grand Year (太歲 taisui) refers to the current year's stem-branch combination, which serves as a kind of annual overlay on the natal chart. When the Grand Year clashes with or supports key elements in the chart, it triggers corresponding events.
On Campaigning Against the Grand Year
論征太歲
《論征太歲》
On campaigning against the Grand Year.
Zheng Taisui (征太歲, 'campaigning against the Grand Year') describes the dangerous situation where a person's chart elements directly clash with the current year's ruling elements. This is traditionally considered very inauspicious, as it represents a mortal challenging cosmic authority.
On the Major Luck Periods
論大運
《論大運》
On the Major Luck Periods.
Major Luck Periods (大運 dayun) are ten-year phases derived from the month pillar, progressing either forward or backward through the stems and branches depending on the person's gender and the yin/yang nature of their birth year. These periods set the broad conditions for each decade of life.
On Illness
論疾病
《論疾病》
On the diagnosis of illness through the natal chart.
The Five Phases map to the body's organ systems: Wood = liver/gallbladder, Fire = heart/small intestine, Earth = spleen/stomach, Metal = lungs/large intestine, Water = kidneys/bladder. Imbalances in the chart predispose to diseases of the corresponding systems.
On Temperament
論性情
《論性情》
On the temperament and disposition revealed by the natal chart.
Each of the Five Phases confers a characteristic temperament when dominant in a chart. Wood people tend toward benevolence but can be rigid; Fire people are courteous but impulsive; Earth people are trustworthy but stubborn; Metal people are righteous but harsh; Water people are wise but cunning.
Stem and Branch Portraits: Heavenly Stems
乾支體象・天干
《甲》甲木天干作首排，原無枝葉與根荄；欲存天地千年久，直向沙泥萬丈埋。斷就棟樑金得用，化成灰炭火為災；蠢然塊物無機事，一任春秋自往來。 《乙》乙木根荄種得深，只宜陽地不宜陰；漂浮最怕多逢水，刻斷何當苦用金。南去火炎災不淺，西行土重禍尤侵；棟樑不是連根木，辨別工夫好用心。
Jia: Jia Wood heads the Heavenly Stems in rank, originally without branches, leaves, or rootlets. To endure a thousand years between Heaven and Earth, bury it straight down ten thousand fathoms in sand and mud. Cut and shaped into beams and pillars, Metal finds its use; transformed to ash and charcoal, Fire becomes its disaster. A dull block of matter with no living mechanism, it lets the springs and autumns come and go as they will. Yi: Yi Wood's rootlets are planted deep; it thrives only in yang locations, not yin. Drifting and floating, it most fears encountering too much Water; cut and severed, how bitter to suffer Metal's use. Going south where Fire blazes, the disaster is not slight; traveling west where Earth is heavy, calamity encroaches further. Beams and pillars are not living rooted wood -- apply your discernment with care.
These are the 'Stem and Branch Portraits' (乾支體象), poetic character sketches of each of the Ten Heavenly Stems and Twelve Earthly Branches. Each seven-character regulated poem captures the essential nature, strengths, vulnerabilities, and optimal conditions for the element it describes. They are among the most quoted passages in the entire Bazi literature.
The Jia poem describes yang Wood as inert timber -- strong and enduring but lacking vitality of its own. It needs Metal to shape it (into useful beams) but fears Fire (which destroys it). The Yi poem describes yin Wood as a living plant with roots -- it needs sunlight (yang) and fears flooding (too much Water), cutting (Metal), scorching (Fire in the south), and burial (Earth in the west).
Stem and Branch Portraits: Earthly Branches
乾支體象・地支
《子》月支子水占魁名，溪澗汪洋不盡清；天道陽回行土旺，人間水暖寄金生。若逢午破應無定，縱遇卯刑還有情；柱內申辰來合局，即成江河發濤聲。
Zi: The month-branch Zi Water holds the champion's name; brooks, streams, and oceans, endlessly clear. As Heaven's way brings yang's return with Earth in command, in the human world, warm water harbors Metal's birth. If it meets Wu's disruption, nothing is stable; yet even encountering Mao's punishment, there is still affinity. When Shen and Chen come into the chart to form a group, it becomes rivers and streams raising the sound of waves.
Each Earthly Branch poem describes the branch's seasonal energy, its favorable and unfavorable interactions, and its characteristic metaphorical nature. Zi (子) represents the peak of winter Water, the eleventh month, and the midnight hour. Despite being maximum yin, it contains the seed of returning yang.
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