Four Pillars Structure (四柱结构)

The Four Pillars (四柱, Si Zhu) form the core structure of a Bazi (Eight Characters) chart. Each pillar represents a different aspect of life and time, and together they provide a complete picture of an individuals destiny.

Understanding the Four Pillars

Each pillar contains:

Heavenly Stem (天干): The visible, Yang aspect
Earthly Branch (地支): The hidden, Yin aspect
Combined Energy

The pillar represents combined stem-branch energy

The Four Pillars Explained

1. Year Pillar (年柱)

Represents: Parents, early life, family background

Time Span: Lunar year of birth

Influence: Childhood environment, ancestors

2. Month Pillar (月柱)

Represents: Parents (especially mother), youth, career

Time Span: Lunar month of birth

Influence: Early adulthood, work ethic

3. Day Pillar (日柱)

Represents: Self, spouse, physical body

Time Span: Day of birth

Influence: Core identity, relationships

4. Hour Pillar (时柱)

Represents: Children,晚年, final outcomes

Time Span: Hour of birth

Influence: Legacy, later life

Reading the Pillars

Each pillar is analyzed for:

Stem Element: The main elemental energy

Branch Element: The branchs elemental energy

Hidden Elements: Additional elements within branch

Stem-Branch Relationship

How stem and branch interact

Interactions Between Pillars

Pillars affect each other:

Horizontal Interactions: Between pillars in same chart

Elemental Flow

How elements move between pillars

Support and Challenge

Which pillars help or conflict

Building Your Chart

To construct Four Pillars:

Get Birth Info: Exact year, month, day, time

Convert to Lunar

Change to Chinese lunar calendar

Find Stems and Branches

Look up corresponding stems and branches

Analyze Structure

Study elements, interactions, balance

Important Notes

Key points:

Complete Picture: All four pillars needed

Each Important: Every pillar matters

Interconnected

Pillars influence each other

Foundation

Four Pillars are basis of Bazi

Four Pillars Structure (四柱结构)