The Bazi glossary
Every term you’ll meet in a reading, in plain, calm language. A gentle reference — for curiosity, not prediction.
The Five Elements 五行 · Wǔ Xíng
Everyone carries all five, in their own mix. The strongest shape how you think, work, and grow.
Wood
Visionary, growing, adaptable — reaching upward like a tree.
Fire
Warm, expressive, magnetic — a spark that lifts others.
Earth
Grounded, dependable, nurturing — the steady center.
Metal
Clear, precise, principled — values quality and structure.
Water
Fluid, perceptive, deep — flows around obstacles.
They nourish each other: Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water → Wood. · And keep each other in balance: Wood → Earth → Water → Fire → Metal → Wood.
The Ten Heavenly Stems 十天干 · Shí Tiān Gān
The visible, outward energy — how you show up. The stem on your birth day is your Day Master (日主), your core self.
| Stem | Element | Image | Natural note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 甲 Jiǎ | Yang Wood | The tall tree | Upright, steady, growth-minded — a pillar others lean on |
| 乙 Yǐ | Yin Wood | The vine / flower | Flexible, gentle, resilient — grows around obstacles with grace |
| 丙 Bǐng | Yang Fire | The sun | Radiant, generous, visible — warms and energizes a room |
| 丁 Dīng | Yin Fire | The candle | Focused, warm, intimate — a quiet light that guides closely |
| 戊 Wù | Yang Earth | The mountain | Solid, reliable, protective — a calm anchor in change |
| 己 Jǐ | Yin Earth | The garden soil | Nurturing, adaptable, resourceful — helps others grow |
| 庚 Gēng | Yang Metal | The axe / ore | Direct, strong, decisive — cuts through to what matters |
| 辛 Xīn | Yin Metal | The jewel | Refined, precise, discerning — values beauty and quality |
| 壬 Rén | Yang Water | The ocean | Expansive, resourceful, bold — carries big ideas and people |
| 癸 Guǐ | Yin Water | The dew / rain | Gentle, perceptive, quietly wise — nourishes softly |
The Twelve Earthly Branches 十二地支 · Shí'èr Dì Zhī
The hidden foundation and the season you were born into — each tied to a zodiac animal and an element.
The Ten Gods 十神 · Shí Shén
How your Day Master relates to every other element — this is where your natural talents and direction show up. We use gentle names; the traditional term is noted for students.
| Our name | Traditional | Points to |
|---|---|---|
| Kindred | 比肩 Bǐ Jiān | Independence, self-trust, peers |
| Rival | 劫財 Jié Cái | Drive, competitiveness, boldness |
| Gentle Expression | 食神 Shí Shén | Easygoing creativity, enjoyment, flow |
| Bold Expression | 傷官 Shāng Guān | Performance, originality, star quality |
| Steady Wealth | 正財 Zhèng Cái | Diligence, reliable income, focus |
| Opportunity Wealth | 偏財 Piān Cái | Enterprise, deal-making, generosity |
| Structure | 正官 Zhèng Guān | Discipline, responsibility, leadership |
| Challenge | 七殺 Qī Shā | Courage, pressure that forges, edge |
| Nurturing Support | 正印 Zhèng Yìn | Learning, care received, wisdom |
| Independent Support | 偏印 Piān Yìn | Intuition, unconventional insight |
Key terms quick reference
| Term | 中文 · Pinyin | What it means here |
|---|---|---|
| Bazi / Eight Characters | 八字 · Bāzì | Your birth chart — the eight characters of your Four Pillars |
| Four Pillars | 四柱 · Sì Zhù | Year, Month, Day, Hour — the four columns of your chart |
| Day Master | 日主 · Rì Zhǔ | Your core self — the anchor of the whole reading |
| Heavenly Stems | 天干 · Tiān Gān | The visible energy, up top |
| Earthly Branches | 地支 · Dì Zhī | The hidden foundation, beneath |
| Life Phases | 大運 · Dà Yùn | Ten-year seasons of life (we avoid the word “luck”) |
| The year’s season | 流年 · Liú Nián | The energy of a given year — an invitation, not a forecast |
| Nourishing element | 用神 · Yòng Shén | The element that brings you into balance |
| Draining element | 忌神 · Jì Shén | The element to tend gently when it runs high |
Your chart is a mirror, not a map that decides your steps. Know your nature — then meet it with kindness, and grow wherever you choose.
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