In traditional Chinese metaphysics, everything in the universe is generated from the interaction of Yin (阴) and Yang (阳), and the Five Elements (五行). When a person is born, their Four Pillars (四柱) or Bazi (八字) are established based on their birth date and time, which then influences their life destiny. This article explores what each of the Four Pillars signifies in Gods & Killings (四柱神煞), a concept in Chinese astrology that focuses on the hidden stars and forces affecting one’s destiny.
What Do the Four Pillars Represent? Each of the Four Pillars has a deep symbolic meaning. Based on the Day Stem (日干) as the core (which represents oneself), the other three pillars represent different areas of life. Here’s a breakdown:
I. Four Pillars and Family Relations (六亲)
1. Year Pillar (年柱) represents Ancestors, ancestral heritage, personal origins, and family legacy.
2. Month Pillar (月柱) represents Parents, siblings, home environment, and the vital energy (元气) of one's husband.
3. Day Pillar (日柱) represents Oneself, spouse, marriage, and family life.
4. Hour Pillar (时柱) represents Children, younger generations, servants, and subordinates.
II. Specific Components of the Pillars Related to Family Relations
1. Year Stem (年干) represents the grandfather's house.
2. Year Branch (年支) represents the grandmother's house.
3. Month Stem (月干) represents the father's house.
4. Month Branch (月支) represents the mother's house or the vital energy of the husband.
5. Day Stem (日干) represents the self—spiritual and physical aspects, referred to as the main palace.
6. Day Branch (日支) represents the spousal palace, symbolizing marriage and family.
7. Hour Stem (时干) represents the son’s palace.
8. Hour Branch (时支) represents the daughter’s palace.
III. Periods Represented by the Four Pillars
1. Year Pillar: Represents ages 1–17 and reflects early childhood and formative years.
2. Month Pillar: Represents ages 18–35, showing the fortune of siblings and parents during this period.
3. Day Pillar: Represents ages 36–51, reflecting the relationship between siblings and spouses.
4. Hour Pillar: Represents ages 52 until death, reflecting children's fortune and later years.
What Do the Four Pillars Specifically Represent?
1. Hour Pillar (Shi Zhu, 时柱)
The Hour Pillar generally represents results, children, younger generations, and the later stages of life. It governs the period after the age of 48, so it is a key focus for assessing an individual’s fortune in old age. It also reflects one’s relationships with descendants.
2. Day Pillar (Ri Zhu, 日柱)
The Day Pillar represents the present, oneself, spouse, marriage, family, and the middle years of life. It primarily covers the time frame from the age of 32 to 48. The Day Pillar is the most relevant to examine current or middle-aged phases or family matters.
3. Month Pillar (Yue Zhu, 月柱)
The Month Pillar signifies parents, superiors, teachers, elders, and direct siblings. It mainly covers youth, roughly from the age of 16 to 32. This pillar also reveals a person's fortunes during youth and offers insights into the influence of elders.
4. Year Pillar (Nian Zhu, 年柱)
The Year Pillar represents ancestry and early childhood, covering the period before age 16. If you want to examine a child's growth and whether they will receive blessings from their ancestors, the Year Pillar provides key insights into their early fortunes—whether smooth or challenging.
The Four Pillars form a comprehensive system in Chinese astrology, reflecting various life stages and relationships. Through careful analysis of each Pillar, practitioners can gain valuable insights into a person's fate, family dynamics, and key life periods.
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