- What Does the Day Pillar Reveal in Ba Zi? - Part 1

Ba Zi, also known as Four Pillars of Destiny, is a complex and ancient Chinese metaphysical system used for fortune-telling and personal analysis. The term "Ba Zi" translates to "eight characters" or "eight words" in English, and it refers to the eight characters that make up an individual's birth chart, which is calculated based on their date and time of birth.

The cycle of 60 in Chinese metaphysics is commonly called the "Sexagenary Cycle" or "Ganzhi Cycle." It combines the ten Heavenly Stems (Tiangan) with the twelve Earthly Branches (Dizhi), resulting in a 60-year cycle used in various Chinese traditional practices, including Ba Zi

We further explain the significance of the Four Pillars of Destiny and how they are determined based on the birth date and the 60-year cycle in the article Demystifying the Ancient Art of Ba Zi.

Day Pillar: This pillar represents the specific day of birth, and it is associated with one of the ten heavenly stems and one of the twelve earthly branches in the Chinese calendar. The Day Pillar delves into the person's inner self, laying bare their core characteristics and attributes. This pillar further explores the person's affinity with their spouse or potential life partner, understanding the dynamics in their most intimate relationships.

Chinese ideograms

Once you have reached this level with the study of Ba Zi, it is assumed that you have already familiarized yourself with the main Chinese ideograms used in the pillars. They represent the 10 polar elements and the 12 animals. If it is not like that, it would be preferable to do it and I have included their translation in the following tables. In the following, for ease of expression, we will use them in the text.

The 12 animals

The 10 Polar Elements

To be the pillar of the day means fulfilling your mission on Earth.

This article will unveil the profound insights embedded within each of these 60 pillars, specifically when they take on the role of the Day pillar.

There are 12 animals, with 6 being Yin and 6 Yang. Earthly Branches with Yang animals correspond to Yang Heavenly Stems (polar elements), and for Yin animals, they match Yin Heavenly Stems. There are 60 combinations in total and each one of them will be briefly described below, starting with the Wood Pillars and finishing with the Water Pillars.

We will start with the Yang Pillars hereunder, and we'll describe the Yin Pillars in the next article.

Yang Pillars

甲- JIA (Yang Wood)

Yang Wood pillars in Ba Zi thrive in spring, seeking Fire's warmth while avoiding Metal (captured in the phrase RUG – Fire, not Metal). In autumn, they don't require Earth support. Unperturbed by Fire, they embrace the Dragon's presence in their Heavenly Stems. Born in winter or with abundant Water, encountering the Tiger is beneficial, as Wood absorbs water. They find harmony with 丙 (Yang Fire) and 癸 (Yin Water). When imbalanced, unpleasant body odors may manifest due to putrefaction.

• 甲/子 – A frozen tree, symbolizes a sentimental and unstable pillar. Stability comes when it encounters the tiger. It craves 丙 for balance. For men, the lover can never surpass the importance of the mother (癸 – mother). Unfortunately during LP 庚; water LP brings no changes.
• 甲/午 – Torch under a tree, representing a star of death. Sentimental and unstable, influential, friendly. With excess water, it's a wet torch. Winter-born individuals are damp torches. Talented, unafraid of metal. Male partners fall ill quickly after coupling. Unfavorable for women, especially those with HO/7K/F – unhappy in love.
• 甲/寅 – The super-tree, deeply rooted, overly stable. With 丙, sentimental; without, they become sadistic. Stubborn, but supportive when attached to someone. Values personal space.
• 甲/申 – Image: Self-cutting tree, highly unstable. Masochistic, self-sabotaging. Prone to accidents or health issues (cutting oneself). Exceptional memory. If丁is present, they become ruthless. Loud talkers, courageous, seduction masters.
• 甲/辰 – Image: The 10,000-year-old tree, symbolizing longevity. Well-aware of their value, stable, and excellent in business (sitting on IW). Prefers being behind the scenes, and good advisors. With 丙, surrounded by nobility. If this combination appears in the YP (Year Pillar), it indicates a good genetic heritage.
• 甲/戌 (戊-IW 辛- DO) – Image: Radioactive tree growing on a tomb with already rotten roots. Prone to illness, aggressive mindset, unstable, opportunistic. Partners often die well in advance, sometimes ending up in a cemetery. In the YP (Year Pillar), genetic diseases may emerge.

丙 BING (Yang Fire)

Yang Fire pillars, influenced by the Yang Fire, can warm the metal but dislike Yin Metal. The combination of Yang Fire with Yin Metal results in Yin Water as mist, symbolizing fog that sabotages. Yang Fire dislikes Yin Metal twice—first for sabotage and second for being in the midst of the sunset. It's not fond of Yin Water.

• 丙/子 (癸 – DO) – Positioned on the Direction Officer (DO), an unsentimental pillar. Struggles with instability require 甲 to absorb water. Constantly feels inadequate, and exhibits kinky tendencies. Focus on sex, prefers night work, often dissatisfied, yet quiet and non-vindictive. Enjoy escorting
• 丙/午 – Radiates like the brightest summer sun but faces relationship challenges. Proud, meticulous, indulge in elegance. Dislikes excessive fire in the Heavenly Stems. Enjoys being flattered, and thrives with winter births. Convincing, inspiring, exhibitionist, craves fans.
• 丙/寅 (甲-IR) – Symbolizes longevity, optimism, and filial toward parents. Easily regenerates but can't handle strong shocks or clashes. Not adept at starting personal businesses.
• 丙/申 (庚- IW) – Represents the autumn sun over a crystal-filled stream. Intelligent, sentimental, prone to accidents, especially post-initiation. Healing crises after initiations. Clashes with 甲 (IR).
• 丙/辰 – Resembles the spring sun, inherently content. Zen and laid-back but lacks follow-through. Associated with 申 and 子, leading to suicidal thoughts even with the supportive pillars.
• 丙/戌 – Depicts the sun over a radioactive swamp, toxic and decaying. Acts as a soul-poisoning force. Often seen in wealthy individuals like Bill Gates. Skilled energy vampires, aggressive, relentless, and toxic.

戊 – WU (Yang Earth)

Yang Earth pillars are sturdy, supporting other elements. Moisture births life with Yin Water, but excess Yang Water leads to demise. Too dry isn't ideal. When encountering the Tiger and Monkey together, unease sets in.

• 戊/子 – Resembles a frozen mountain, enjoys dressing up, can be dull. Men seek wives, adept at concealing true emotions. Recommended for sports, inflexible, competitive. Fertile with 亥, tends to be greedy.
• 戊/午 (丁- DR, 己- RW) – Depicts a mountain in flames, a volcanic image. Easily betrayed, has a conventional view of sex (boring). Displays unpleasant behavior when angered.
• 戊/寅 (甲- 7K) – Represents a mountain with a wooden shape (greedy wolf). Men are well-endowed, mysterious, and charismatic. Power and control enthusiasts, having 7K.
• 戊/申(庚 7K) – Portrays a mountain full of crystals and minerals. Creative, loud, dislikes encountering 庚. Generates income through unconventional methods (has IW). Women's health deteriorates post-childbirth, especially with more than one child. Dislikes 寅, which brings poverty by taking away creativity. Men enjoy flirting.
• 戊/辰 – Represents the Literary Arts star, the easiest FUI GONG. Hard to kill but leads challenging lives. Enjoys reading, good politicians, can easily manifest what they want in life.
• 戊/戌 (丁- DR 戊 - F辛 - DW) – Depicts a dry, rocky, empty mountain – second in power at FUI GONG. Faces challenges in love, never truly happy. Relationships are their biggest challenge. Can make a lot of money if they use inner resources. Ruthless, vengeful, seemingly gentle but dangerously complex. Inclined to cheat and be cheated. HO and DR are in the cemetery, shy, reluctant to express themselves, always feel they are in the wrong.

庚 – GENG (Yang Metal)

Yang Metal pillars are strong but need warmth. Excessive fire requires support from 丑 or 辰. Fearful of 乙, it combines with 乙, and to ensnare it, send 乙 its way.

• 庚/子 (癸 – HO) – Among the most sensual and perverse, enjoy sexual activities. 子 represents a Salty Pool for 庚, recommending swimming. Resourceful, women face challenges in relationships until the age of 60. Prefer to avoid control, and like to see exposed fire.
• 庚/午 – Disciplined individuals, women often face challenges. Prefer to handle tasks independently. Like to see 壬 (Output Star) exposed.
• 庚/寅 (甲 – IW 丙 – 7K) – Act swiftly, possess wealth, and manage well (7K - 丙). Have a relatively short life but high-quality relationships.
• 庚/申(庚 – F) – Difficult to defeat, with a long life and solid grounding. Modest and not adept at accumulating wealth. The least adaptable pillar, struggles to find alternative jobs.
• 庚/辰 – The most powerful Fui Gong, tough with challenging relationships. Skilled fighters with frequent minor accidents. Belong to the Ten Ferocious Days along with 癸/亥.
• 庚/戌 – Depicted as a radioactive axe, a formidable Fui Gong. Perceived as intimidating, leading to challenging marriages. Effective leaders who need to be aggressive and take action, involving themselves in martial arts and attracting 卯 for wealth.

壬 – REN (Yang Water)

• 壬/子 – Depicted as deep water, they are an emotional pillar. Calm on the surface but tumultuous within, they lack trust in people and struggle to retain money. Involved in many transient and insignificant relationships, they enjoy comparing possessions and face significant relationship challenges.
• 壬/午 (丁- DW己- DO) – Represented as boiling water, they experience minimal relationship issues but tend to become depressed due to boredom. They struggle with choices and are not suited for business. Stability is crucial in their lives.
• 壬/寅 (甲- EG) – The image involves encountering 丑 and 戌 to avoid cancer. Men are attracted to younger women, even minors, while those with exposed 丙 are drawn to much older partners.
• 壬/申 (戊 – 7K 庚 - IR壬 - F) – Depicted as individuals full of talent and resources. They are thoughtful and enjoy contemplating their abilities. Men are attracted to dominant women.
• 壬/辰 (癸 - RW戊 – 7K 乙- HO) – Described as FUI GONG, they are perfectionists. Associated with 癸, 戊, 乙, they are meticulous and detail-oriented.
• 壬/戌 (丁- DW戊 – 7K辛- DR) – Also FUI GONG, they are gentle, thoughtful, and easily make money. Interested in dark magic and attracted to death, decay, old furniture, and macabre themes. All born in 戌 share these traits and tend to be slow-paced.