This article will delve into the "Year Pillar, Month Pillar, Day Pillar, and Hour Pillar" comparison table in traditional Chinese astrology. These pillars are the foundation of the eight-character (Ba Zi) system, and by analyzing them, one can reveal a person's fate and personality traits. We will explain in detail how to determine these pillars and provide a comparison table for reference, as well as discuss their application in astrological predictions.

Determination and Comparison Table of the Year Pillar

The year pillar refers to the method of representing the birth year using the lunar stem-branch system. It is important to note that the boundary of the year is determined by the exact time of the Start of Spring, not the first day of the first lunar month. For example, if someone was born on the third day of the first lunar month in 1998, since the Start of Spring in 1998 occurred at 8:53 AM on the eighth day of the first lunar month, this person's year pillar should be Ding Chou of 1997, not Wu Yin of 1998. The following is the year pillar comparison table, which can be used to determine the corresponding year pillar based on the celestial stem of the birth year.

Determination and Comparison Table of the Month Pillar

The month pillar represents the birth month using the lunar stem-branch system. The boundary of the month stem-branch is not based on the first day of each month, but rather on the seasonal term. The current lunar calendar, also known as the Xia calendar, starts with the first month as the Tiger month and ends with the twelfth month as the Ox month. The earth branch of the month pillar remains fixed each year, while the heavenly stem varies, following a certain pattern. Below is the table for determining the month pillar based on the celestial stem of the birth year.

Determination and Comparison Table of the Day Pillar

The day pillar represents the birth day using the lunar stem-branch system. Since the day stem-branch cycles every sixty days and is affected by the length of the month and leap years, the day stem-branch must be determined by consulting the almanac. In divination, the calculation of the day stem-branch begins at midnight (Zi hour) and ends at the Hai hour. The boundary between days is at the Zi hour, which is 11 PM. Below is the table for determining the hour pillar based on the celestial stem of the birth day.

Determination and Comparison Table of the Hour Pillar

The hour pillar represents the birth hour using the lunar stem-branch system. One hour corresponds to two hours in modern time, and there are twelve hours in total per day. Ancient people divided the day into twelve equal parts, each with its own specific name and meaning. Below is the hour comparison table, which can be used to determine the corresponding hour pillar based on the birth hour.

Method of Calculating Major and Minor Luck

Major luck (Da Yun) and minor luck (Xiao Yun) are important tools in the study of destiny. Major luck is determined based on the month pillar of the four pillars, and there are differences between male and female, as well as differences in the calculation of the starting age. Minor luck follows a different rule: it proceeds forward for men born under yang and women born under yin, and backward for women born under yang and men born under yin, starting from the hour pillar. Through these methods, one can predict the direction of a person's fate.

Steps in the Eight Characters Astrology Prediction Method

The eight characters (Ba Zi) prediction method includes six steps: arranging the major luck, analyzing the strength and weakness of the day master, determining the overall structure and identifying the supportive and restraining elements, analyzing the situation of the supporting and restraining elements, inferring wealth, family, and relatives according to the ten gods, and predicting specific events in the current year. These steps together form the complete process of Ba Zi prediction.

Through detailed interpretation of the year pillar, month pillar, day pillar, and hour pillar, as well as the provision of comparison tables, we can better understand and apply the eight characters (Ba Zi) system. These pillars are not only tools for predicting an individual's fate and personality, but also an essential part of traditional Chinese culture. By mastering these basic knowledge, we can explore the mysteries of the divination system more deeply and apply it to decision-making and planning in daily life.