Gong Lu Gong Gui (拱禄拱贵) — Hidden Noble Pattern in BaZi

In the system of BaZi patterns, there exists a configuration like a hidden treasure—it does not reveal itself openly, yet it can accumulate immense energy in the shadows. This is the "Gong Lu Gong Gui" (拱禄拱贵) pattern, a classic "hidden pattern" whose essence lies in "emptiness concealing substance." The birth chart itself does not directly contain a Lu (禄, Fortune God) or Gui (贵, Noble) star; instead, through the clever pairing of the Day Pillar and Hour Pillar, a Lu position or noble point is "virtually arched" between them. The term "Gong" (拱) means to surround or guard. The beauty of this pattern lies entirely in the concept of "emptiness"—a void that can accommodate blessings. Once it is filled, it loses its spiritual essence. As an ancient text records: The Xi Ji Pian (喜忌篇) states: "Gong Lu Gong Gui, if filled, brings misfortune."

How to Identify This Pattern

A basic prerequisite for this pattern is that the Heavenly Stems of the Day Pillar and Hour Pillar must be identical. Additionally, the two Earthly Branches must be exactly one position apart, thereby "clamping" a virtual Earthly Branch in the middle. This virtual branch must contain the Lu (Fortune God) or Tian Yi Gui Ren (Heavenly Noble) needed by the Day Master. Most critically, this arched-out Earthly Branch must never appear in any of the four pillars of the original birth chart.

It can be divided into two categories:

• Gong Lu Pattern (拱禄格): The virtual arch produces the "Official" (临官) Lu position of the Day Master itself.
  • Gui Hai Day, Gui Chou Hour or Gui Chou Day, Gui Hai Hour: Hai and Chou virtually clamp the character "Zi" (子) in between, which is the Lu of Gui Water.
  • Ding Si Day, Ding Wei Hour or Ji Si Day, Ji Wei Hour: Si and Wei virtually clamp the character "Wu" (午) in between, which is the Lu of Ding Fire and Ji Earth.
  • Wu Chen Day, Wu Wu Hour: Chen and Wu virtually clamp the character "Si" (巳) in between, which is the Lu of Wu Earth.
• Gong Gui Pattern (拱贵格): The virtual arch produces an official star or Tian Yi Gui Ren (Heavenly Noble) beneficial to the Day Master.
  • Jia Shen Day, Jia Xu Hour: Shen and Xu virtually clamp the "You" (酉) official star.
  • Yi Wei Day, Yi You Hour: Wei and You virtually clamp the "Shen" (申) official star.
  • Jia Zi Day, Jia Yin Hour: Zi and Yin virtually clamp the "Chou" (丑) Tian Yi Gui Ren.
  • Wu Shen Day, Wu Wu Hour: Shen and Wu virtually clamp the "Wei" (未) Tian Yi Gui Ren.
  • Xin Chou Day, Xin Mao Hour: Chou and Mao virtually clamp the "Yin" (寅) Earner (正财) star (wealth stars also fall under the category of noble energy).

Deep Significance of the Pattern

Those who enter this pattern seem to carry an invisible "assistance package" from birth. This noble energy is hidden and intangible, allowing the native to often receive support without knowing it, or to have divine help at critical moments, achieving goals that are difficult for ordinary people to reach. It symbolizes a subtle, protected honor, and the path to success often carries a flavor of "unexpected but reasonable." If the pattern is pure and unbroken, it often indicates a high social status, a clear and upright character, and the potential to shoulder great responsibilities.

However, the establishment of this pattern relies entirely on the state of "emptiness," making it particularly fragile. Once external conditions violate its taboos, causing the pattern to break, the hidden noble energy will dissipate. Not only will it be difficult to achieve prominence, but it may even turn into hardship, leaving the native with talent but no way to use it, and ambition but no way to fulfill it.

Likes and Dislikes of the Pattern

Classical Text Discussions

From the San Ming Tong Hui (三命通会)

The Xi Ji Pian says: "Gong Lu Gong Gui, if filled, brings misfortune." Gong means to face or clamp. Lu refers to the Official (临官) Lu, and Gui refers to the official star's nobility, or the Tian Yi Gui Ren. The Gong Lu pattern has five day-hour combinations: Gui Hai and Gui Chou, Gui Chou and Gui Hai arch the Zi Lu; Ding Si and Ding Wei, Ji Wei and Ji Si arch the Wu Lu; Wu Chen and Wu Wu arch the Si Lu. The Gong Gui pattern also has five day-hour combinations: Jia Shen and Jia Xu arch You, Yi Wei and Yi You arch Shen—these are official nobles; Jia Yin and Jia Zi arch Chou, Wu Shen and Wu Wu arch Wei, Xin Chou and Xin Mao arch Yin—these are both official nobles and Tian Yi Gui Ren.

For all Gong patterns, the Day and Hour must share the same Heavenly Stem. The noble or Lu must resonate with the Month Branch's energy. Luck cycles that strengthen the self and the noble/Lu position are best. Luck cycles of Seal, Maverick, Talent, and Wealth are also auspicious. Avoid Punishment, Clash, Break, and Harm, as well as Blade (羊刃) and Warlord (七杀), which can damage the Day and Hour pillars, preventing the noble energy from being held. The greatest taboos are filling the void and Emptiness. This is like a vessel: empty, it can hold things; full, it is useless. Therefore, only a void arch is beneficial. Complete, it can hold; broken, it is useless. Therefore, Emptiness is feared. The same applies to annual and monthly cycles.

Another says: The method of the void arch is to see what the arched-out empty position contains—whether it is an auspicious god or a malevolent spirit. For example, Zi and Yin arch Chou. For a Jia Day Master, this certainly gives an official star (Xin Metal in Chou). But if there is Wei (which clashes with Chou), the arch is unstable, and the noble energy leaks. If there is no Wei, but there is Chen or Xu (which interact with Chou), though not perfect, it can still be considered. If there is Hai or Mao (forming a Water or Wood combination), the arch is more solid. If support is lacking, the pattern becomes unbalanced. This is a small-scale pattern. Another example: Chou, Yin, Si, and Wu broadly arch Mao and Chen. If Mao and Chen contain the noble energy needed by the Day Master, and other Heavenly Stems activate it, this forms a medium-scale pattern. Another example: arching an entire direction's energy, like facing south to get Fire, or east to get Wood, forms a large-scale pattern. But unless the chart itself is grand and deeply rooted, one should not rashly judge such large patterns, as they are too vague.

A poem says: "If Lu is heavy and position is prominent, it is certain that one is born in a time that arches Lu." For example, Gui Chou day, Gui Hai hour arches the Zi Water Lu. If born in autumn or winter when Water is strong, the Lu is powerful. Another example: Wu Zi day, Jia Yin hour can also arch the Chou Earth noble, but Wu Earth is controlled by Jia Wood; how can it hold the noble? Others can be deduced by analogy. The Du Bu (独步) says: "Gong Lu Gong Gui, if filled, brings misfortune. If the Month Branch itself forms a pattern, prioritize that pattern." The San Ming (三命) says: "Those who achieve the Jia Lu Jia Gui pattern can reach the high position of Ba Zuo (eight seats)." The Xin Jing (心镜) says: "If the Day Master is strong and has Lu and Gui supporting it, one will be a clear and upright official." The Jing Jian (景鉴) says: "The Gong Lu Gong Gui pattern, if pure, is the material of kings and nobles. If filled, it brings empty fame and profit. If there is no Wealth or Seal, it dislikes being harmed. It avoids Executive and Warlord and also fears Emptiness."

Poems say: "Day and Hour double arch the Lu in the central court, the gold box hides the pearl, the pattern is most clear. The highest noble, the gentleman's fate, without worry or care, reaches the high minister." Also: "Void arch the noble god and Lu position, avoid filling and Emptiness. Punishment, Clash, Blade, and Warlord, if broken, the official star cannot be borne." Also: "Gong Lu Gong Gui is rare in patterns, also need to see the Month Branch's support. If the Month Branch is useful, it is heavy; if the Month Branch has no spirit, this pattern is wonderful." Also: "The arched position fears being filled, also fears the Maverick in the Month Branch. If the Blade comes heavily to break the pattern, without this break, nobility is certain."

Modern Interpretation: The Xi Ji Pian points out that the Gong Lu Gong Gui pattern most fears being "filled." Here, "Gong" means to surround and guard. "Lu" refers to the Day Master's Official position, while "Gui" refers to the official star or Tian Yi Gui Ren. The Gong Lu pattern has five day-hour combinations, and the Gong Gui pattern also has five, as listed earlier. To enter this pattern, the Day and Hour must share the same Heavenly Stem, and the arched noble energy must be supported by the Month Branch's energy. Luck cycles that strengthen the self or the noble/Lu position are ideal. Luck cycles of Seal, Maverick, Talent, and Wealth are also auspicious. The greatest taboos are Punishment, Clash, Break, Harm, Blade, and Warlord, which can damage the Day and Hour pillars, preventing the noble energy from gathering. The greatest taboos are "filling the void" and "Emptiness." This is like a container: empty, it can hold things; full, it is useless. Therefore, the value lies in the void arch. A container is useful only when intact; if broken, it is worthless. Therefore, Emptiness is feared. The same principles apply to the judgment of annual and monthly cycles.

Another view holds that the mystery of the void arch lies in examining what the "castle in the air" that is arched out actually is—whether it is an auspicious god or a malevolent spirit. For example, Zi and Yin arch Chou. For a Jia Day Master, this certainly gives an official star (Xin Metal in Chou). But if there is Wei (which clashes with Chou), the arch is unstable, and the noble energy leaks. If there is no Wei, but only Chen or Xu to interfere (because Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei are the four reservoirs and interact), though not perfect, the pattern can still be considered. If there is Hai or Mao to consolidate (forming a Water or Wood situation), the arch is more solid. Lacking support, the pattern easily becomes unbalanced. This is a small-scale pattern. Another example: Chou, Yin, Si, and Wu broadly arch Mao and Chen. If Mao and Chen contain the noble energy needed by the Day Master, and other Heavenly Stems activate it, this forms a medium-scale pattern. Another example: arching an entire direction's energy, like facing south to get Fire, or east to get Wood, forms a large-scale pattern. But unless the chart itself is grand and deeply rooted, one should not rashly judge such large patterns, as they are too vague.

A poem says: "If Lu is heavy and position is prominent, it is certain that one is born in a time that arches Lu." For example, Gui Chou day, Gui Hai hour arches the Zi Water Lu. If born in autumn or winter when Water is strong, the Lu is powerful. Another example: Wu Zi day, Jia Yin hour can also arch the Chou Earth noble, but Wu Earth is controlled by Jia Wood; how can it hold the noble? Others can be deduced by analogy. The Du Bu says: "Gong Lu Gong Gui, if filled, brings misfortune. If the Month Branch itself forms a pattern, prioritize that pattern." The San Ming says: "Those who achieve the Jia Lu Jia Gui pattern can reach the high position of Ba Zuo." The Xin Jing says: "If the Day Master is strong and has Lu and Gui supporting it, one will be a clear and upright official." The Jing Jian says: "The Gong Lu Gong Gui pattern, if pure, is the material of kings and nobles. If filled, it brings empty fame and profit. If there is no Wealth or Seal, it dislikes being harmed. It avoids Executive and Warlord and also fears Emptiness."

Poems say: "Day and Hour double arch the Lu in the central court, the gold box hides the pearl, the pattern is most clear. The highest noble, the gentleman's fate, without worry or care, reaches the high minister." Also: "Void arch the noble god and Lu position, avoid filling and Emptiness. Punishment, Clash, Blade, and Warlord, if broken, the official star cannot be borne." Also: "Gong Lu Gong Gui is rare in patterns, also need to see the Month Branch's support. If the Month Branch is useful, it is heavy; if the Month Branch has no spirit, this pattern is wonderful." Also: "The arched position fears being filled, also fears the Maverick in the Month Branch. If the Blade comes heavily to break the pattern, without this break, nobility is certain."