In Ba Zi testing, each ten years form a great fortune, and each great fortune is represented by a word indicating the prosperity or decline, totaling twelve words: Longsheng (Birth), Mushi (Bathing), Guandai (Crown and Belt), Linzhi (Appointed Official), Diwang (Imperial Prosperity), Shuai (Decline), Bing (Illness), Si (Death), Mu (Mound), Jue (Extinction), Tai (Embryo), Yang (Nourishment). These twelve terms are called "Twelve Stages of Life" in traditional Chinese astrology, representing twelve types of fortune, not the physiological meanings, so there is no need to worry about encountering such terms in the great fortune.
Specifically, the meanings of the Twelve Stages of Life are as follows:
Longsheng (Birth): When an infant is born, or when a new thing is just beginning, it carries a thriving atmosphere.
Mushi (Bathing): Also known as "Defeat". After an infant is born, it needs to be washed to remove impurities; similarly, when a new thing first appears on the stage, it is still imperfect.
Guandai (Crown and Belt): From childhood to youth, one can wear clothes and hats, appearing dignified and well-groomed; similarly, a new thing has entered a stage of elegance and maturity.
Linzhi (Appointed Official): Also known as "Promotion of Wealth". When people grow up, they can take office or earn a living to support their family; similarly, a new thing has matured and its status becomes increasingly solid.
Diwang (Imperial Prosperity): When people reach adulthood, both physical and mental strength are at their peak, allowing them to fully exert their potential; similarly, a new thing has reached perfection and is widely recognized. However, when something reaches its peak, it also sows the seeds of its decline.
Shuai (Decline): This is a period of qualitative change. People feel physically weak and mentally exhausted, unable to do things as before; similarly, a new thing has become an old one, facing challenges from other new things.
Bing (Illness): As people age, they gradually develop various diseases; similarly, old things become full of problems and difficult to recover.
Si (Death): After aging, the body eventually dies, revealing the lowest point of development.
Mu (Mound): After the death of an old thing, its remnants are placed in a museum or stored in a warehouse, also known as "warehouse". It represents the end of an old thing and the lowest point of fortune.
Jue (Extinction): Also known as "Receiving Qi" or "Fetus". Before being conceived, the mother's womb is empty; before the birth of all things, there is nothing visible.
Tai (Embryo): Refers to the moment of conception, or when things begin to sprout underground.
Yang (Nourishment): Means forming, where a person forms in the mother's womb, or things form underground.
In the Twelve Stages of Life, Longsheng, Guandai, Linzhi, and Diwang represent prosperous fortunes, known as the "Four Prosperous Stages", while Mushi, Si, Mu, and Jue represent adverse fortunes, known as the "Four Adverse Stages". Shuai, Bing, Tai, and Yang represent average fortunes.