Sheng Chen Ba Zi
Each year is said to be represented by one of the 60 celestial beings or Tai Sui ( also known as Grand Duke ). Any person, hour, day or month of birth represented by an incompatible chinese zodiac animal of the year ( see chart ) is said to clash with the Grand Duke, and prayer or avoidance of action / direction is advised. For instance, in the year of the Pig (2007); all 'Snake' days are considered bad for celebration, hosting of auspicious event, important meeting, moving house, et cetera. The snake days are commonly referred to as 'Clashed Days' or 'Broken Days' 破日. Broken Day is, however, suitable for some events such as the demolition of old buidling.
Likewise, a day can clash with the month if the zodiac animals representing both are incompatible. The day is said to be a 'Broken Day' of the month. |
Besides, there are also eight days in a year that are considered as inauspicious. They are the days before the 2 solstices (21 or 22 in March and September for the year 2007), and the 2 equinoxes (21 or 22 in June and December). The day just before the starting of each season in Chinese Solar terms is also to be avoided.
These 8 days are normally on 6 or 7 in May, July, Aug, and November. Another set of days which cannot to be used is five days before and after the Sun or Moon eclipse ( quite rarely ). |
There are 12 ' Shi Chen ' ( therefore, 12 earthly branches ) as one ' Shi Chen ' spans over 2 hours. Each Shi Chen is considered most relevant to one of the Chinese Zodiac Animals in terms of their daily activities, and is assigned with the Earthly Branch of the Chinese Zodiac Animal:
As for the heavenly stem, it corresponds with the heavenly stem of the day pillar.
- Zi 23:00 - 00:59 This is the time rats actively seek food
- Chou 01:00 - 02:59 This is the time that oxen ruminate
- Yin 03:00 - 04:59 Tigers hunt prey and display their fiercest nature
- Mao 05:00 - 06:59 The jade rabbit on the moon is believed to be busy pounding medicinal herb with a pestle
- Chen 07:00 - 08:59 Dragons are believed to be hovering in the sky to give people rainfall
- Si 09:00 - 10:59 Snakes start to leave their burrows for their routines
- Wu 11:00 - 12:59 Horse is vigorous at work while other animals are taking their rest
- Wei 13:00 - 14:59 Sheep will grow stronger when they eat grass during these hours
- Shen 15:00 - 16:59 Monkeys become lively
- You 17:00 - 18:59 Roosters return to the roost as it is getting dark
- Xu 19:00 - 20:59 Dogs begin their watch
- Hai 21:00 - 22:59 Pigs are sleeping soundly
As for the heavenly stem, it corresponds with the heavenly stem of the day pillar.
To determine a day's heavenly stem and earthly branch, it is necessary to trace the stem and branch of the first day of that year in. There is no standardisation as the lunar calendar comprises ' bigger ' ( 30 days in a month ) and ' lesser ' ( 29 days in a month ) months, and the complete stem-branch cycle needs 60 days. If the stem and branch of the first day of the relevant lunar month are known, there is a way to extrapolate any day within the month. Different extrapolation rules applied to bigger and lesser months.
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Month pillar has fixed early branches for January to December ( Lunar Calender ) represented by Yin ( 1st Lunar Month ), Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai, Zi and Chou ( 12th Lunar Month ). The heavenly stem, however, changes according to the year pillar.
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Incidentally, the beginning of Spring is regarded as the real start of a year, and the branch spans approximately over two solar terms or seasons. The 24 solar terms ( 2 solar terms x 12 months ) are:
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Name and BaziThe four pairs or pillars of birth reveal the elements in one's life. As such, some parents believe in giving their baby a name containing the missing element(s) as compensation.
Read The Five Elements for the characteristics of each element. |
Name SelectionFactors to be considered:
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