The Four Pillars (Sì Zhù) and Eight Characters (Bā Zì) form the core system of traditional Chinese astrology, which can be summarized into the following six dimensions:
1. Structure and Symbolic Meaning of the Four Pillars
- Year Pillar
: Represents the ancestral foundation, hereditary information, and the fortune of youth (ages 1-15), corresponding to head health. For instance, if the Year Pillar has Qi Sha (Seven Killings) without control, it suggests ancestral poverty.
- Month Pillar
: Reflects parental influence, the youth phase (ages 16-30), and social environment. The Month Stem represents the father, while the Month Branch represents the mother, serving as a carrier of subconscious and innate talents.
- Day Pillar
: The Day Stem represents the individual, and the Day Branch represents the spouse’s palace, governing middle-aged fortune (ages 31-45) and marital status, corresponding to waist health.
- Hour Pillar
: Symbolizes children, achievements in old age (after age 46), and lower limb health. The Hour Pillar encountering clashes can easily affect fertility.
2. Interactions of the Five Elements and the Relationship of Stems and Branches
- Five Elements Generating and Overcoming Each Other
: Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal; Metal overcomes Wood, Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Metal, forming the core logic of balance in destiny.
- Heavenly Stems Combination
: For example, Jia and Ji combine to form Earth, Yi and Geng combine to form Metal. Successful combinations can lead to nobility, while unsuccessful ones may lead to misfortune.
- Earthly Branches Three Combinations and Six Harmonies
: The combination of Shen, Zi, and Chen forms a Water combination, while Zi and Chou form a Soil harmony, affecting the energy flow of destiny.
3. Palace Positions and Relationships with Six Kin
- Positioning of Six Kin
: The Year Pillar represents grandparents, the Month Pillar represents parents, the Day Branch represents the spouse, and the Hour Pillar represents children, with palace positions corresponding to the auspicious or inauspicious states of the six kin.
- Hereditary Traits
: A strong Sha Shen (Robbery God) in the Year Pillar often indicates a solitary and superstitious nature, while a lack of control over the Robbery God in the Year Pillar may lead to a life of waste.
4. Analysis of Major Luck and Annual Cycles
- Major Luck and Heavenly Stems
: Heavenly Stems govern symbols; for instance, the Wealth Luck governs opportunities for wealth, while Earthly Branches only serve to judge prosperity and decline.
- Annual Luck Auspiciousness
: When Heavenly Stems show Shang Guan (Hurting Officer) or Qi Sha (Seven Killings) without control, it often indicates disaster; if Earthly Branches are free from punishment or clashes, there are fewer troubles.
- Overlapping Luck
: Major Luck and the Four Pillars’ limited luck (such as Year Pillar for ages 1-15) can overlap, enhancing or weakening fortune.
5. Application of Deities and Twelve Palaces
- Deities and Timing
: Deities such as Hong Luan (Red Luan) and Tian Xi (Heavenly Joy) reveal marriage and romantic information in annual cycles, while Xian Chi (Bathing Peach Blossom) indicates fleeting romantic encounters.
- Longevity and the Twelve Palaces
: For example, “Old fears the Emperor’s prosperity, young fears decline,” assessing the strength and weakness of the individual through the states of Guandai (Crown) and Lin Guan (Visiting Official).
6. Modern Applications and Cultural Significance
- Decision-Making Reference
: Used for selecting auspicious dates, marriage matching, and career planning, providing psychological comfort and guidance for action.
- Body Correspondence
: The Year Pillar corresponds to the head, the Month Pillar to the chest, the Day Pillar to the waist, and the Hour Pillar to the lower limbs; imbalances in the Five Elements correspond to specific diseases.
The Core Dimensions of the Four Pillars and Eight Characters in Marriage
1.Positioning of Spousal Stars and the Palace of Spouses
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Positioning of Spousal Stars
For male charts, the Wealth Star represents the wife (with Zheng Cai as the legitimate wife and Pian Cai as the romantic partner), while for female charts, the Official Kill represents the husband (with Zheng Guan as the legitimate husband and Qi Sha as the romantic partner). If the original chart does not show the spousal star, it can be assessed through hidden stems or annual luck.
- If the spousal star is in the Year Pillar, it often indicates early marriage; if in the Hour Pillar, it often indicates late marriage. If the spousal star is clashed or is a harmful deity, it may lead to unfavorable marital relationships.
Fortune of the Palace of Spouses (Day Branch)
The Day Branch represents the spouse’s residence; if it is favorable and without clashes, it indicates marital stability. If it encounters clashes (such as Zi Wu clash or Yin You clash), it may lead to conflicts or marital changes.If the Day Branch is sitting on Bi Jie (Male) or Shang Guan (Female), it needs to be assessed in the overall context: for males, if Bi Jie is unfavorable, it may harm the wife; for females, if Shang Guan is paired with Yin or generates wealth, it can mitigate the harm to the husband.
2.Configuration of Ten Gods and Personality Influence
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Indirect Effects of Ten Gods Combinations on Marriage
If a male’s Bi Jie is strong without control, he may have a strong personality leading to conflicts; however, if Shi Shang (Food and Injury) is present or the Wealth Star is unobstructed, he may show tolerance.If a female’s Shang Guan is prominent, she may be picky and harsh; however, if the Wealth Star transforms the Injury or the Yin Star controls the Injury, the marriage may be harmonious.
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Wealth and Official Strength and Marriage Quality
If a male’s Wealth Star is strong and useful, the spouse provides strong support; if the Wealth Star is weak or obstructed, economic issues may affect the relationship.If a female’s Official Kill is mixed (with both Zheng Guan and Qi Sha present), the relationship may be complex; if the Official Star is clear and useful, the husband is noble and devoted.
3.Major Luck and Annual Cycles Related to Marriage Timing
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Rules for Judging Marriage Timing
If the spousal star or the Palace of Spouses encounters combinations (such as Yin Hai combination or Wu Wei combination) or three combinations (such as Shen Zi Chen Water combination), there are likely opportunities for marriage or romance.If the annual luck activates the spousal star (males encountering Wealth Star, females encountering Official Kill) and aligns with the Day Pillar’s heavenly and earthly combinations (such as Jia Zi day encountering Ji Chou year), it is often a year for marriage.
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Long-Term Impact of Major Luck on Marriage
If a male is in Wealth Luck and a female is in Official Luck, romance is likely to flourish; however, if Major Luck clashes with the Palace of Spouses (for example, if the Day Branch is Yin and Major Luck encounters You), caution is needed to prevent marital changes.
4.Marriage Combination Rules and Five Elements Complementation
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Key Points for Four Pillars Marriage Combinations
The Day Branches of both parties should generate and combine (for example, Jia Zi with Ji Chou), avoiding clashes and overcoming (for example, Jia Wu clash with Geng Zi).It is best if the male’s Wealth Star and the female’s Official Star complement each other in the Five Elements (for example, if the male’s Fire is strong, he needs Water Wealth, and if the female’s Water is strong, she needs Earth Official).
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Children’s Palace and Hour Pillar Connection
If the Hour Pillar generates (for example, if the male’s Hour Pillar Fire generates the female’s Hour Pillar Earth), it indicates good fortune with children; if the Hour Pillar clashes (for example, Zi Wu clash), attention should be paid to fertility issues.
5.Deities and Peach Blossom Signals
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Peach Blossom Stars and Romantic Opportunities
If the Day Branch or Year/Month Branch encounters Zi, Wu, Yin, or You (the Four Peach Blossoms), it indicates strong opposite-sex attraction; if the annual luck encounters Hong Luan or Tian Xi, it is likely to involve marriage celebrations.Xian Chi (Bathing Peach Blossom) indicates fleeting romantic encounters, and if it encounters clashes, it may lead to emotional disputes.
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Destructive Effects of Malevolent Deities on Marriage
Days of misalignment (such as Bing Zi or Ding Chou) and Lonely Luan Sha (such as Yi Si or Xin Hai) indicate many twists and turns in marriage; if the original chart has resolving deities (such as combinations), it can mitigate the impact.
Appendix: Quick Judgment of Marriage Auspiciousness
- For Males
: If the Wealth Star combines with the Day Master, the wife is virtuous and the family business flourishes; if Bi Jie competes for wealth, it may harm the wife and lead to disputes.
- For Females
: If the Official Star sits on the Lu Shen, the husband is noble and clear; if Shang Guan encounters the Official Kill, remarriage may not be peaceful.
- General
: If the Palace of Spouses encounters clashes, nine out of ten marriages do not succeed; if the annual luck aligns with the palace position, the wedding candles will illuminate the home.Note: The above analysis must be combined with the overall strength and weakness of the Five Elements and the preferences and aversions of the useful deities for comprehensive judgment; single symbols should not be interpreted in isolation.