Xiao Liu Ren Guide
Xiao Liu Ren ("Small Six Ren") is a widely known Chinese folk divination method. Tradition links it to the Tang-dynasty scholar Li Chunfeng, and it also goes by names such as "Li Chunfeng's Six Ren Hour Lesson" or "Zhuge Liang's Lesson Before the Horse" (these attributions are legends that no reliable historical source confirms). It uses just six positions, Da An, Liu Lian, Su Xi, Chi Kou, Xiao Ji and Kong Wang, counted round in turn on the fingers, which is why it is often called "reckoning on the fingers".
Compared with Da Liu Ren ("Great Six Ren"), which needs heaven and earth plates, four lessons and three transmissions, Xiao Liu Ren is far simpler: there are no complex rules to learn, and with the lunar month, day and double hour you can get an answer in seconds. Because it is so simple, it suits the tendencies of everyday matters, such as whether awaited news will come, whether a lost item will turn up or whether a negotiation will go smoothly, rather than major life decisions.
The six palaces
- Da An · Great PeaceThings are stable and move step by step; holding your ground serves you better than rushing to change.
- Liu Lian · LingeringThings tend to drag, repeat or get stuck on details. Be patient and say clearly what you mean.
- Su Xi · Swift JoyThings move fast and good news is likely; a good moment to take the initiative.
- Chi Kou · Red MouthArguments, misunderstandings or clashes of opinion are likely; be especially careful with words and contracts.
- Xiao Ji · Small FortuneRelations are harmonious and help is at hand; the outcome is good, if modest in scale.
- Kong Wang · EmptinessThings may fall through or turn out differently than expected; pause and reassess rather than forcing them.
Traditionally, Da An, Su Xi and Xiao Ji are favourable palaces, while Liu Lian, Chi Kou and Kong Wang are unfavourable. "Unfavourable" is closer to "needs patience, care or a pause" than to a warning of disaster.
How to cast
The most common method is casting by time: start counting month 1 on Da An and count to the current lunar month; from that position count day 1 up to today's lunar date; then from there count the Zi hour up to the current double hour. Where you stop is the answer. The other is casting by numbers: hold the question in mind, say three numbers and count them off the same way. See how to cast for the steps and examples.
Reading the month, day and hour palaces
Casting by time gives three palaces in turn. This site reads them as the background (month), process (day) and outcome (hour) of the matter; many people simply take the final hour palace as the answer. Either way the hour palace is the focus, and the month and day palaces help you see how things reached this point.
More topics
This is fixed text compiled from general convention, not a reading of any individual and not a prediction. For important decisions, please consult qualified professionals.