Six Positions Multiplying (六位相乘) — The Complete Model Pattern
In the system of BaZi (八字) fortune analysis, there exists an extremely special and highly theoretical pattern concept known as "Six Positions Multiplying" (六位相乘). It expands the traditional analytical framework of the Four Pillars (年、月、日、时) to include six key positions: the Year, Month, Day, Hour, Fetal Origin (胎元), and Life Palace (命宫). The core idea of this pattern is that the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of these six positions, through specific "Combination" (合) rules, can collectively map out the complete system of the Ten Heavenly Stems (十天干) and Twelve Earthly Branches (十二地支). This symbolizes the completeness and perfection of a person's innate endowment, often regarded as a theoretical sign of "great nobility."
How to Verify This Pattern
To determine this pattern, you must first establish the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches for the Year Pillar, Month Pillar, Day Pillar, Hour Pillar, Fetal Origin, and Life Palace. Then, examine whether these stems and branches, using the rules of the "Five Combinations of Heavenly Stems" (天干五合) and "Six Combinations of Earthly Branches" (地支六合), can indirectly complete all ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches. If this condition is met, the pattern is preliminarily established.
Specifically, it involves two levels of "completeness":
- Completeness of Heavenly Stems: The Heavenly Stems appearing in the six positions (sometimes only five are needed) can, through the corresponding relationships of the "Five Combinations of Heavenly Stems," derive the missing stems, thus completing the set of Jia (甲), Yi (乙), Bing (丙), Ding (丁), Wu (戊), Ji (己), Geng (庚), Xin (辛), Ren (壬), and Gui (癸).
- Example: If the Heavenly Stems of the six pillars are Jia, Bing, Geng, Ren, Gui, according to the Five Combination rules (Jia-Ji combine, Yi-Geng combine, Bing-Xin combine, Ding-Ren combine, Wu-Gui combine), they can respectively combine to produce Ji, Xin, Yi, Ding, Wu. Thus, the ten Heavenly Stems are complete.
- Completeness of Earthly Branches: The Earthly Branches appearing in the six positions can, through the corresponding relationships of the "Six Combinations of Earthly Branches," pair up to derive the missing branches, completing the set of Zi (子), Chou (丑), Yin (寅), Mao (卯), Chen (辰), Si (巳), Wu (午), Wei (未), Shen (申), You (酉), Xu (戌), and Hai (亥).
- Example: If the Earthly Branches of the six pillars are Zi, Yin, Mao, Si, Wu, You, according to the Six Combination rules (Zi-Chou combine, Yin-Hai combine, Mao-Xu combine, Chen-You combine, Si-Shen combine, Wu-Wei combine), they can respectively combine to produce Chou, Hai, Xu, Shen, Wei, Chen. Thus, the twelve Earthly Branches are complete.
Symbolic Meaning of the Pattern
If a birth chart can form the "Six Positions Multiplying" pattern, it means its structure presents a "complete image," like a miniature, complete model of the universe where the Five Elements flow endlessly and Yin-Yang cycles without deficiency. It symbolizes that the person may possess exceptionally comprehensive potential and remarkable adaptability, with relatively complete opportunities in life, easily gaining support from various directions, thus potentially achieving extraordinary success.
However, it must be pointed out that this pattern is highly controversial in modern fortune analysis practice. It is more often seen as a theoretical "perfect model" or philosophical concept rather than a frequently applied rule in actual readings. In many cases, it is used as an "explanatory tool" to understand the fortune mysteries of those whose Four Pillars seem ordinary yet achieve great prominence. Therefore, its value may lie more in reflecting the speculative pursuit of "completeness and perfection" as an ultimate state within the study of fortune analysis.
Key Factors for Success or Failure
Since this pattern pursues "completeness," its favorable and unfavorable factors do not revolve around the ordinary balance of the Five Elements' generating and overcoming cycles. Instead, they focus on the integrity and stability of the pattern itself.
- Success Factors:
- Complete Combination: The ideal state is that the stems and branches of the six positions can, through the combination rules, flawlessly complete all Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, forming a perfect cycle.
- Stable Foundation: The six pillars that form the foundation of the pattern should not be severely affected by Punishment (刑), Clash (冲), Break (破), or Harm (害), ensuring the reliability and stability of these "base points."
- Destructive Factors:
- Missing Combination: This is the primary reason for pattern failure. If any one of the ten Heavenly Stems or twelve Earthly Branches cannot be derived through the existing combinations, the "complete" image is broken, and the pattern cannot be established.
- Internal Turmoil: Although this pattern emphasizes "Combinations," if key positions (such as the Day Pillar or Life Palace) encounter strong Clashes or Punishments, it will destroy the overall harmony and stability, lowering the pattern's level.
- Theoretical Stretch: This pattern itself is already an unconventional "external pattern." If the birth chart combination is not exquisitely unique, forcing this pattern as an explanation often seems far-fetched and detached from practical application.
Classical Text
"San Ming Tong Hui" (三命通会)
It is said that the Year, Month, Day, Hour, and Fetal Origin, plus the Year or Day's Fortune God (禄神) and Travelling Horse (驿马), or the Life Palace, combine to complete the twelve Earthly Branches. Furthermore, if five Heavenly Stems combine to complete all ten, it signifies nobility. For example, the Year Pillar Jia-Zi, Month Pillar Ding-Mao, Day Pillar Wu-Yin, Hour Pillar Xin-You, Fetal Origin Wu-Wu, and Life Palace in Si. The author (Wan Minying, styled Yuwuzi) also recorded his own chart: Year Pillar Ren-Wu, Month Pillar Gui-Chou, Day Pillar Geng-Yin, Hour Pillar Bing-Xu, Fetal Origin Jia-Chen, with his Fortune God and Travelling Horse in Shen.
Modern Interpretation: This passage describes adding the Fetal Origin to the Four Pillars of Year, Month, Day, and Hour, and then incorporating the Fortune God or Travelling Horse from the Year or Day Pillar, or the Life Palace. The Earthly Branches of these positions, through the Six Combinations, should complete the twelve Earthly Branches. Simultaneously, five Heavenly Stems should, through the Five Combinations, complete all ten Heavenly Stems. Such a combination indicates nobility. For example: Year Pillar Jia-Zi, Month Pillar Ding-Mao, Day Pillar Wu-Yin, Hour Pillar Xin-You, Fetal Origin Wu-Wu, Life Palace in Si. The author (Wan Minying, styled Yuwuzi) also recorded his own chart: Year Pillar Ren-Wu, Month Pillar Gui-Chou, Day Pillar Geng-Yin, Hour Pillar Bing-Xu, Fetal Origin Jia-Chen, with his Fortune God and Travelling Horse in Shen.