What is Bazi (Eight Characters)?

The Origins of Bazi

Bazi (八字), also known as the Four Pillars of Destiny (四柱命理), is a traditional Chinese astrology system that dates back over 2,000 years. Its roots can be traced to the Tang Dynasty, with significant contributions from scholars like Li Xuzhong and Xu Ziping during the Song Dynasty.

How Bazi Works

Your Bazi chart is calculated from your birth year, month, day, and hour — each represented by one Heavenly Stem and one Earthly Branch. Together, they form four pillars, each containing two characters, making eight characters in total.

• ✦Year Pillar (年柱) — Represents your ancestors and early childhood
• ✦Month Pillar (月柱) — Your parents, career, and social life
• ✦Day Pillar (日柱) — The core of your chart: your own self and spouse
• ✦Hour Pillar (时柱) — Your children, late life, and legacy

The 10 Heavenly Stems & 12 Earthly Branches

The 10 Heavenly Stems are: Jia (甲, Yang Wood), Yi (乙, Yin Wood), Bing (丙, Yang Fire), Ding (丁, Yin Fire), Wu (戊, Yang Earth), Ji (己, Yin Earth), Geng (庚, Yang Metal), Xin (辛, Yin Metal), Ren (壬, Yang Water), Gui (癸, Yin Water). Each stem carries specific characteristics and interacts with others through the Five Elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.

Why Read Your Bazi?

A Bazi reading helps you understand your innate personality, strengths, weaknesses, and life patterns. It can provide guidance on career paths, relationships, health tendencies, and optimal timing for major decisions.