In Chinese metaphysics, Gods & Killings (神煞) are important elements in Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny), often used in predictions and fortune-telling. In addition to the well-known Bazi Gods & Killings, there are also Big Luck Cycle Gods & Killings (大运神煞), which are frequently referenced in destiny forecasting. This article explores the connection between these two types of Gods & Killings and also explains Annual Luck Gods & Killings (流年神煞). Let’s delve into this topic with Jason Chan.
The Connection Between Bazi Gods & Killings and Big Luck Cycle Gods & Killings
Bazi Gods & Killings is closely related to ancient astrology, combining heavenly stars with human destiny. Ancient people worshipped stars and deities, so this approach stems from their reverence. In a person’s Four Pillars Bazi (四柱八字), Gods & Killings is often observed using the Day Pillar (日柱) as the starting point, and then referencing the Year (年), Month (月), Hour (时), as well as other elements such as Big Luck Cycle (大运, 10-year luck cycles) and Annual Luck Gods & Killings (流年, yearly cycles) for comparison.
Big Luck Cycle Gods & Killings is more related to Big Luck Cycle (大运, great fortune cycles). Big Luck Cycle is a common term in Bazi, representing a dynamic progression of elements based on the Month Pillar (月柱). Big Luck Cycle’s strength or weakness originates from the Month Branch (月令). It represents ten-year stages of luck throughout a person’s life. Big Luck Cycle (大运) is used because each cycle spans ten years. Big Luck Cycle Gods & Killings changes with the years, and one must combine it with individual Gods & Killings to enhance positive energy and avoid misfortune. Therefore, to predict luck, one needs to calculate both Bazi Gods & Killings and Big Luck Cycle Gods & Killings.
What are Annual Luck Gods & Killings?
Annual Luck Gods & Killings (流年神煞), also known as the Twelve Grand Duke Gods (十二太岁), are commonly found in traditional almanacs and farmer’s calendars. Based on Tang dynasty astrologer Li Chunfeng’s system, the twelve gods are:
Tai Sui (太岁, Grand Duke)
Tai Yang (太阳, Sun)
Sang Men (丧门, Funeral Door)
Tai Yin (太阴, Moon)
Guan Fu (官符, Litigation)
Si Fu (死符, Death)
Sui Po (岁破, Year Breaker)
Long De (龙德, Dragon Virtue)
Bai Hu (白虎, White Tiger)
Fu De (福德, Virtuous Blessing)
Diao Ke (吊客, Mourning Guest)
Bing Fu (病符, Illness)
Among these, Tai Yang, Tai Yin, Long De, and Fu De are auspicious, while the rest are inauspicious. Tai Sui, which governs yearly fortunes, has its roots in ancient Chinese celestial worship. Tai Sui is the name for Jupiter because it takes twelve years to complete one orbit around the sun. Jupiter is thus called Sui Xing (岁星) or Grand Duke.
Is Grand Duke an Ominous God?
Initially, the Grand Duke was not an evil god but a protective deity. The Ming dynasty text "San Ming Tong Hui" (三命通会) states: “The true Grand Duke is also called the Zhuan Zhi Sha (转趾煞), and if one’s Big Luck Cycle and Day Master are in harmony with Grand Duke, the year will be auspicious; if they clash with Grand Duke, misfortune will follow.” But good fortune comes when your elements align with the Grand Duke; if they clash, bad luck arises. A fortune-telling expert from the late Qing dynasty and early Republic period, Yuan Shushan (袁树珊, 1881-?), also noted: “Tai Sui, the supreme, is not an evil spirit.”
The Qing text "Xie Ji Bian Fang Shu" (协纪辨方书) also says: “Sui Po is when Tai Sui opposes a zodiac sign; activities such as construction, relocation, marriage, and long journeys should be avoided, or they will lead to financial loss or harm to the household leader.” According to these teachings, facing away from the Grand Duke (sitting with your back to the Grand Duke) brings luck, while facing the Grand Duke brings misfortune.
Grand Duke in Folk Culture
Grand Duke is also known as Tai Sui Xingjun (太岁星君) or Sui Jun (岁君), both celestial and divine. In the Chinese calendar, each of the Sixty Jiazi (六十甲子) years is governed by a different Grand Duke God, and individuals born in a particular year can find their corresponding Grand Duke deity. People often worship the Grand Duke for protection during the year when their zodiac sign clashes with the Grand Duke (犯太岁), especially during their Ben Ming Nian (本命年, birth year).
If a person’s zodiac sign is the same as the current year’s sign, they are considered to be "clashing with Tai Sui" (犯太岁), which is believed to bring bad luck. For example, in a Dragon year, four zodiac signs—Dragon, Dog, Goat and Ox—are said to clash with the Grand Duke. Those under these signs may face difficulties during that year.
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