The Diaohou Reference Table: Ten Stems by Twelve Months Quick-Lookup
Jia month one: bing gui. Yi month one: bing. Look up any stem, any month, instantly. No memorization needed — one table covers everything.
The diaohou reference table is the most important quick-lookup tool in Bazi. The Qiongtong Baojian's core output is this stem-by-month diaohou system. This article compiles the most complete reference — first-choice and second-choice diaohou for every stem in every month, plus alternatives for special cases. From jia wood in month one to gui water in month twelve — one hundred twenty diaohou formulas in one place.
Ten stems by twelve months quick lookup. Master this table and you master diaohou's foundation.
How to Read the Diaohou Table
Jia Through Ding — First Four Stems
Wu Through Xin — Middle Four Stems
Ren Through Gui — Final Two Stems
Four Dimensions
Career & Wealth
Found your diaohou element? Match it to industry. Jia wood month one: bing/gui → fire or water industry (fire first). Wu earth month five: ren/jia/bing → water/wood/fire crossover.
Love & Relationship
Your diaohou element points to an ideal partner's element. Jia winter needs bing → find a fire-strong partner. Ji summer needs gui → find a water-strong partner.
Personality
The table reveals personality patterns. Jia winter needing fire → needs warmth and extroversion to activate inner drive. Ji summer needing water → needs calm and moisture to balance inner heat.
Health
Diaohou = constitutional direction. Look up your element → ask what foods correspond in Chinese medicine. Jia month one bing/gui → warming foods plus hydration.
Source Texts
Practical Application
- Look up, then apply : Determine stem → determine month → cross-reference. First-use gets priority. If first-use is already in your chart, go to second-use.
- Check roots after lookup : Found your diaohou element? Check for branch roots. Roots = real. No roots = wait for luck cycles.
- Understand the logic behind the table : The table's principles matter more than memorizing it. Once you understand each stem's seasonal needs, you can infer diaohou direction without the table.
Common Questions
Q: If the first-use element is already in my chart, do I still need the second-use?
A:
First-use with roots = primary need met. Second-use is bonus — nice, not critical. First-use present but rootless = discounted diaohou, second-use becomes more important.
Q: When the table says jia, does it mean any wood?
A:
Jia means jia wood specifically. Jia generates bing fire more powerfully than yi wood. When precision matters, the specific stem is specified.