By examining the relationship between the two characters of the year pillar, we can determine whether the marriage of a man and a woman is auspicious or not. If the year pillar has heavenly and earthly harmony, it indicates an auspicious marriage. If they are mutually generating, it is also auspicious. However, if there is a heavenly clash and earthly conflict or mutual destruction, it is ominous. In other words, if the year pillars of the man and woman are harmonious or generate each other, it signifies a good marriage. However, Dr. Zheng reminds everyone that even if the year pillars of a couple are compatible, they may still get divorced because the compatibility of the year pillar is only one of the indicators in determining marriage compatibility.

Looking at the Month Pillar of the Eight Characters

By looking at the stem and branch of the year pillar, we can assess the marriage. If the stems and branches of the man and woman’s year pillar are harmonious or generate each other, it is auspicious; if they clash or destroy each other, it is inauspicious.

Looking at the Day Pillar of the Eight Characters

The day pillar of a man's eight characters represents his wife's palace, while the day pillar of a woman's eight characters represents her husband's palace. If they can complement each other without mutual punishment, conflict, or destruction, or if they form an unfavorable element that harms the use element in the chart, it indicates a good match. If they can combine to become the favorable use element of the chart, it would be even better. If the day pillars clash with each other, but there is another harmonious element to resolve this conflict, it can turn danger into safety.
The divorce rate is higher when the day stem and day branch are of the same nature. For example, people born on days such as Jia Yin, Yi Mao, Bing Wu, Ding Si, Wu Xu, Wu Chen, Ji Wei, Ji Chou, Geng Shen, Xin You, Ren Zi, and Gui Hai.
If the day branch overpowers the day stem, it indicates a blessing from heaven, bringing additional happiness. People born on days such as Jia Shen, Yi You, Bing Zi, Ding Hai, Wu Yin, Ji Mao, Geng Wu, Xin Si, Ren Xu, Ren Chen, Gui Chou, and Gui Wei.
If the day stem overpowers the day branch, it leads to a harmonious marriage. People born on days such as Jia Chen, Jia Xu, Yi Chou, Yi Wei, Bing Shen, Ding You, Wu Zi, Ji Hai, Geng Yin, Xin Mao, Ren Wu, and Gui Si.
If the day branch sits on the food god or the伤官 (shang guan), it indicates that both parties are particularly loving and indulgent. People born on days such as Jia Wu, Yi Si, Bing Chen, Bing Xu, Ding Chou, Ding Wei, Wu Shen, Ji You, Geng Zi, Xin Hai, Ren Yin, and Gui Mao.