Terminology • TIMEACTOR

Bazi Terminology: The Language Map of Four Pillars

Learn Bazi — Start with the Language

Bazi terminology is the threshold into the world of Four Pillars analysis. Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, Ten Gods and Six Relations, Pattern Structures and Functional Elements, Clashes and Combinations — these concepts form the language of chart reading. Without clear terminology, it's like trying to read a text without a dictionary. This section organizes the most core, most frequently-used, and most easily confused Bazi terms, explained in plain language with practical context.

Terms aren't for memorizing — they're for using. Behind every term is a diagnostic scenario. Understanding when and how to apply it, and what happens when it's misapplied, is what real mastery looks like.

How Terms Are Used

Career & Wealth:

Love & Relationship:

Personality:

Health & Lifestyle:

Reading Notes

Learning Strategy

Distinguish concepts from relationships: Some terms are 'concepts' (e.g. Ten Gods, Patterns), others are 'relationships' (e.g. clash, combination, punishment). Concepts give you the ability to identify; relationships give you the basis for judgment. Learn concepts first, then relationships.
Prioritize comparison articles: The most common errors come from concept confusion — mixing up 'Storage' (库) and 'Tomb' (墓), or conflating 'clash-movement' (冲动) with 'combination-movement' (合动). The comparison articles in this section are designed to resolve exactly these confusions.
Validate understanding with real charts: After learning a term, find a known Bazi chart and verify your understanding. For example, after learning about 'root' (通根), check whether the Day Master has a root. Verification is the only standard for real comprehension.

Common Questions

Q:How many Bazi terms do I need to memorize?

You don't need to memorize all of them. There are roughly 50 core terms, about 30 of which are high-frequency. More important than rote memorization is understanding how terms relate — knowing that 'Root Access' (通根) and 'Stem Exposure' (透干) are a paired set of concepts is far more effective than memorizing each in isolation.

Q:Do different Bazi schools use the same terms?

There are differences. For example, the Pattern School (格局派) and Blind School (盲派) define 'Useful God' (用神) differently. This section explicitly notes when terms diverge across schools, so readers can follow conversations across traditions.