BaZi Symbolic Stars and the Twelve Stages
Symbolic stars are benefic and malefic markers looked up from the day stem, year branch, month branch and so on, adding detail to the chart.
Heavenly Noble (Tian Yi)
How it is found: From the day and year stems to the pillar branches
The foremost benefic star: helpful people throughout life, someone to lend a hand in difficulty, good relationships and fortune.
Literary Star (Wen Chang)
How it is found: From the day stem to the pillar branches
Bright and studious, good with words; favours study, exams and work in writing or education.
Prosperity (Lu Shen)
How it is found: From the day stem to the pillar branches (the stem's Office position)
A foundation of income and livelihood: resources of your own to rely on.
Golden Carriage (Jin Yu)
How it is found: From the day stem to the pillar branches
Traditionally support from a spouse or family, refined living, and ease of travel.
Heavenly Virtue (Tian De)
How it is found: From the month branch to the pillar stems and branches
A star of virtue: a kind heart, and troubles that tend to turn out well.
Monthly Virtue (Yue De)
How it is found: From the month branch to the pillar stems
Like Heavenly Virtue: warmth, good relations and fewer sharp ups and downs.
General Star (Jiang Xing)
How it is found: From the year and day branches to the other pillars
Leadership and authority; able to organise and take charge of a team.
Canopy (Hua Gai)
How it is found: From the year and day branches to the other pillars
Artistry and aloofness; drawn to religion, philosophy, art or unusual studies, with a need for solitude.
Peach Blossom (Tao Hua)
How it is found: From the year and day branches to the other pillars
Charm and popularity, attraction and social ease, with an artistic streak. In excess, mind your boundaries in love.
Travelling Horse (Yi Ma)
How it is found: From the year and day branches to the other pillars
Movement: travel, relocation and changes of scene; suits work that keeps you on the move.
Red Phoenix (Hong Luan)
How it is found: From the year branch to the pillar branches
Marriage, celebration and romantic opportunity; also goodwill.
Heavenly Joy (Tian Xi)
How it is found: From the year branch to the pillar branches
Opposite Red Phoenix: happy events, new arrivals and pleasant encounters.
Goat Blade (Yang Ren)
How it is found: From the day stem to the pillar branches
Strength, decisiveness and competitiveness; gets things done but can be impulsive. Aim the force at goals, not quarrels.
Kui Gang
How it is found: Day pillar Geng Chen, Geng Xu, Ren Chen or Wu Xu
Strong-willed, sharp and decisive, a natural leader who dislikes restraint; tradition says to keep to the straight path.
Lonely Star (Gu Chen)
How it is found: From the year branch to the pillar branches
Independence and a sense of solitude; used to handling things alone, so reach out to people deliberately.
Widow Star (Gua Su)
How it is found: From the year branch to the pillar branches
Like Gu Chen: coolness and solitude, reserved in showing feelings; keep talking with family.
Schools look these up slightly differently (for example whether Goat Blade applies to yin stems, or whether the Heavenly Noble is taken from the day or year stem); this site uses common methods. Symbolic stars are supplementary: a reading rests on the day master's strength, the elements and the Ten Gods, never on one or two stars alone.
The twelve stages
The twelve stages describe the Day Master's standing at each branch, from Birth, Bathing, Capping, Office and Peak through Decline, Sickness, Death, Tomb, Extinction, Conception and Nurture: a cycle of rising and falling strength. Yang stems run forward, yin stems backward.
- Birth
- Bathing
- Capping
- Office
- Peak
- Decline
- Sickness
- Death
- Tomb
- Extinction
- Conception
- Nurture
More topics
- The Four Pillars
- The Ten Day Masters
- The Ten Gods in BaZi
- The Five Elements and Favourable Elements
- Branch Interactions
- Void (Kong Wang)
This is fixed text compiled from general convention, not a reading of any individual chart and not a prediction. For important decisions, please consult qualified professionals.