Six Yin Greeting the Sun (六阴朝阳): The Subtle Nobility of a Hidden Pattern

In the constellation of BaZi patterns, few are as subtle and intricate as "Six Yin Greeting the Sun" (六阴朝阳). This is a "hidden pattern" (暗格), where the core mechanism involves the "six Yin" (referring to the six Xin days) secretly "facing" and invoking their official star, Bing Fire (Yang Fire), through a specific time-space combination. When the birth chart lacks an official star entirely, this hidden invocation creates a noble destiny. As ancient texts state: "When the six Xin days meet Wu Zi hour, avoid the Wu (Horse) position, and favor the West in luck cycles."

Pattern Formation Requirements

The proper form of this pattern requires the Day Pillar to be one of Xin You, Xin Chou, or Xin Hai, born during the Wu Zi hour. The entire chart must avoid official stars (Fire) and clashes or combinations (Wu, Chou). Through the special combination of the Wu Zi hour pillar, it quietly invokes the Bing Fire official star hidden within the virtual Si (Snake) branch.

Specific formation rules are as follows:

• Core Day and Hour: The Day Pillar must be Xin You, Xin Chou, or Xin Hai, and the Hour Pillar must be Wu Zi. The days Xin Si, Xin Mao, and Xin Wei do not qualify because they carry their own official stars or punishments/clashes.
• Officials Must Be Hidden: The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the Four Pillars must absolutely not contain Bing, Ding, Si, or Wu. If an official star appears, the pattern is "filled in" and broken.
• Avoid Clashes in Branches: The Earthly Branches should not contain Wu (Horse). Zi-Wu clash directly destabilizes the Zi Water, which is the pivot of the pattern.
• Avoid Combinations in Branches: The Earthly Branches should not contain Chou (Ox). Zi-Chou combination causes Zi Water to "cling to the combination and forget to greet the sun," losing its function of invoking the official star.
• Zi Water Should Be Solitary: The chart ideally has only one Zi Water in the Hour Branch. If Zi Water appears multiple times, its power is dispersed, and the pattern is difficult to establish.

Symbolism and Connotation of the Pattern

Those who enter this pattern are typically pure-hearted and value reputation and integrity above worldly wealth. Their path to nobility is hidden and circuitous, symbolizing that the native often possesses deep strategies and achieves success through unconventional means. Their nobility often manifests in "pure noble" fields such as academic research, professional reputation, and高超技艺 (masterful skills). Those with a pure pattern may attain high positions and become respected pillars of society.

However, this pattern pursues extreme purity, sometimes at the expense of interpersonal harmony. Ancient texts mention that it can "harm the wife and injure children." Modern BaZi research suggests that the wealth and nobility effects of this pattern may be because its combination simultaneously satisfies more fundamental orthodox patterns like "Following Strength" or "Metal White Water Clear," while the "Greeting the Sun" mechanism provides a sophisticated theoretical explanation.

Favorable and Unfavorable Luck Cycles

• Favorable Luck Cycles:

  1. Western Metal Luck (Shen, You): This is the best luck. Metal strengthens the Xin Metal Day Master, enabling it to bear the pure noble energy brought by the pattern.
  2. Northeastern Water Luck: Luck in Water (Talent/Maverick) and Earth (Mentor) areas can also assist the pattern, making it a secondary favorable choice.
  3. Pure Chart: The chart completely avoiding all unfavorable elements is the foundation for forming the pattern and directly determines its level.

• Unfavorable Luck Cycles:

  1. Southern Fire Luck (Si, Wu): This is the greatest taboo. Fire luck causes the official stars to "fill in," completely destroying the premise of the hidden invocation. The pattern collapses, often indicating danger.
  2. Exposure of Official Stars: If Bing, Ding, Si, or Wu appear in the chart or in the Luck Cycle or Annual Cycle, the pattern is immediately broken.
  3. Chou or Wu Interference: If the chart or a passing year sees Chou Earth combining with Zi Water, or Wu Fire clashing with Zi Water, the pivot of the pattern is destroyed, leading to lost opportunities and damaged nobility.

Classical Text Discussion

From the "Three Lives Comprehensive Guide" (三命通会)

The "Chapter on Likes and Dislikes" (喜忌篇) says: "When the six Xin days meet Wu Zi hour, avoid the Wu position, and favor the West in luck cycles." This pattern is based on the six Xin days. Xin takes Bing as its official star and Gui as its longevity star. It favors the Wu Zi hour because Wu combines with Gui. Zi is the birthplace of Xin. Wu's root is in Si, and Wu comes to stamp (Mentor) Xin. Wu is the son of Bing. When Bing sees Wu stamping Xin, Bing gives birth to Wu, combining with Xin to create nobility. Xin obtains its official star. The chart should only have one Zi character; more than one is not good. It fears Wu clashing and Chou combining, which prevents the Yin from greeting the Sun. Bing and Si filling in is also bad. Luck cycles moving to the West, where Metal is strong, are favorable. Northeast (Water, Earth) is secondary. South, the place of death and extinction, is taboo. This pattern is best born in Shen, Chen, Hai, Mao, Wei, or You months. If born in the four seasonal months (Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei), it is treated as a Mentor pattern. If born in Bing Wu, Bing Yin, or Bing Xu months, it is treated as a Wealth-Official pattern. If born in Jia Yin or Yi Mao months, it is treated as a Wealth pattern. The Month Command is primary; luck cycles are not restricted to North or South, but strengthening the Self is paramount. If this pattern is formed, reputation often outweighs wealth. The person is lofty but may harm their wife and children. If the above taboos are violated, the person will be poor and thin.

Another says: "From Wu (Horse), one Yin is born; by Hai (Pig), the six Yin are complete." Xin Metal sitting on Hai, or born in the Hai month, is in the place of the six Yin. If the Zi hour is also obtained, the one Yang born in Zi represents Yin returning to Yang. Hence, Xin Wei and Xin You are also included. The other three days are not. Metal and Water nurturing elegance is noble. Some say: "Xin is Yin Metal, Bing is Yang Fire. Xin facing Bing — is this not greeting the Sun? 'Six Yin' refers to the six Xin days." This interpretation is also valid. The "Chapter on Continuation" (继善篇) says: "If Yin greets the Sun, avoid Bing and Ding in the Li (South) position." The "Jing Jian" (景鉴) says: "The likes and dislikes of Greeting the Sun: fear Bing and Ding, dislike the Li position, avoid the Chou character, and favor the West in luck cycles. If filled in, it is difficult to advance in the three examinations. If Bing and Ding appear in certain positions, one may achieve merit through special means like handling official documents or donating to the needy." It also says: "Born in the four seasons or autumn, without the Hai character, if the pattern is formed, the wealth and career are especially extraordinary." The "Ju Shan Pian" (举善篇) says: "Greeting the Sun born in a seasonal month can be called a Mentor pattern." The "Zhen Bao Fu" (真宝赋) says: "Six Yin Greeting the Sun with a Mentor star makes a pure and noble court official." The "Mi Jue" (秘诀) says: "Xin day, Zi hour, avoid Fire luck. Moving Northwest is auspicious; moving Southeast brings worry and danger."

Ancient songs say: "Xin meets Wu Zi, called Greeting the Sun; luck favors the West for official salary and prosperity. If Chou, Wu, Bing, Ding do not appear, one will wear gold and purple robes and enter the court." Another: "South is mediocre, North is most disliked; West is first, East is second. If the Zi character is not encountered, it is difficult to enter this pattern, and even in court, fame is hard to achieve." Another: "Xin day born in Wu Zi hour, Wu moves Bing to become Xin's official. Six Yin Metal combines into the Greeting the Sun pattern; building a foundation of wealth and nobility is not difficult. Zi Water should only be one; if more, blessings are reduced. Bing, Ding, Si, Wu all absent; luck moving West enters the noble ranks." Another: "Six Yin Greeting the Sun favors West luck; moving East is also auspicious. Most feared is North, which is inauspicious; South Li (Wu) clashing brings disaster." Another: "The noble Greeting the Sun pattern belongs to the six Xin Metal; born in Wu Zi hour, blessings are deep. Zi Water hides in the noble place to form a meeting; Wu comes to move Bing to obtain the official spirit. Bing and Ding appearing clearly are truly taboo; Si and Wu meeting again is also detestable. Luck passing through the West is best; if it turns South, disaster will surely come."

The "Zhe Gu Tian" (鹧鸪天) poem says: "Wu Zi hour meets the six Xin days; the Greeting the Sun pattern combines and moves the official star. Geng, Xin, Jia, Yi appearing again are auspicious; one can wear purple ribbons and gold seals to be a minister. Yin and Mao (East) luck is noble; Bing and Ding (South) luck brings poverty; South luck is unfavorable and harms the body. If the chart is neutral without bias, one can sit steadily in court and govern the people."

Modern Interpretation: The "Chapter on Likes and Dislikes" points out that if the six Xin days are born in the Wu Zi hour, the Wu (Horse) position must be avoided, and the West is favorable for luck cycles. This pattern centers on Xin Metal, with Bing Fire as the official star and Gui Water as the Talent star (also called longevity star). The Wu Zi hour is favorable because Wu Earth can combine with Gui Water. Zi is the birthplace of Xin Metal. Wu's root is in Si, so Wu comes to stamp (Mentor) Xin Metal. Wu is born by Bing Fire (official star). When Bing sees Wu stamping Xin, it indirectly combines with Xin by giving birth to Wu, thus Xin obtains official nobility. The chart should only have one Zi character; more than one is ineffective. It fears Wu clashing and Chou combining, which prevents the Yin from greeting the Sun. It also fears Bing or Si appearing to "fill in" the official star. Luck cycles moving to the West, where Metal is strong, are best. Moving Northeast (Water, Earth luck) is secondary. Moving South, the place of Fire's death and extinction, is a major taboo. This pattern is best born in Shen, Chen, Hai, Mao, Wei, or You months. If born in the four seasonal months (Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei), it is treated as a Mentor pattern. If born in Bing Wu, Bing Yin, or Bing Xu months (Fire strong), it is treated as a Wealth-Official pattern. If born in Jia Yin or Yi Mao months (Wood strong), it is treated as a Wealth pattern. In these cases, the Month Command becomes primary, and luck cycles are not restricted to North or South; strengthening the Self is paramount. If this pattern is formed, reputation often outweighs wealth. The person is lofty but may harm their wife and children. If the above taboos are violated, the person will be poor and thin.

Another view holds that from the Wu hour, one Yin is born, and by the Hai hour, the six Yin are complete. Xin Metal sitting on Hai, or born in the Hai month, is in the place of the six Yin. If the Zi hour is also obtained, the one Yang born in Zi represents Yin returning to Yang. Hence, Xin Wei and Xin You days can also be included, but the other three days cannot. This pattern values Metal and Water nurturing elegance and emitting pure energy as noble. A more direct interpretation says: "Xin is Yin Metal, Bing is Yang Fire. Xin facing Bing — is this not greeting the Sun? 'Six Yin' refers to the six Xin days." This interpretation is also valid. The "Chapter on Continuation" emphasizes: "If Yin greets the Sun, most avoid Bing and Ding appearing in the Li (South) position." The "Jing Jian" details its likes and dislikes: fear Bing and Ding, dislike the Wu position, avoid the Chou character, favor West luck. If the official star is filled in, it is difficult to advance in imperial examinations. Some say that if Bing and Ding appear in specific positions, one may achieve merit through special paths (like handling cases, donations, or civil service). It also says: "Born in the four seasons or autumn, even without the Hai character, if the pattern is formed, the wealth and career are especially extraordinary." The "Ju Shan Pian" says: "The Greeting the Sun pattern born in a seasonal month can be called a Mentor pattern." The "Zhen Bao Fu" praises: "The Six Yin Greeting the Sun pattern with a Mentor star makes a pure and noble court official." The "Mi Jue" reminds: "Xin day, Zi hour birth, avoid Fire luck; moving Northwest is auspicious; moving Southeast brings worry and danger."

Ancient songs say: "Xin day meets Wu Zi hour, called Greeting the Sun; luck favors the West for official salary and prosperity. If Chou, Wu, Bing, Ding do not appear, one will wear gold and purple robes and enter the court." Another: "South luck is mediocre, North luck is most disliked; West luck is first, East luck is second. If the chart has no Zi Water meeting, it is difficult to enter this pattern, and even in court, fame is hard to achieve." Another: "Xin day born in Wu Zi hour, Wu moves Bing to become Xin's official. Six Yin Metal combines into the Greeting the Sun pattern; building a foundation of wealth and nobility is not difficult. Zi Water should only be one; if more, blessings are reduced. Bing, Ding, Si, Wu all absent; luck moving West enters the noble ranks." Another: "Six Yin Greeting the Sun favors West luck; moving East is also auspicious. Most feared is North, which is inauspicious; South Li (Wu) clashing brings disaster." Another: "The noble Greeting the Sun pattern belongs to the six Xin Metal; born in Wu Zi hour, blessings are deep. Zi Water hides in the noble place to form a meeting; Wu comes to move Bing to obtain the official spirit. Bing and Ding appearing clearly are truly taboo; Si and Wu meeting again is also detestable. Luck passing through the West is best; if it turns South, disaster will surely come."

The "Zhe Gu Tian" poem says: "Wu Zi hour meets the six Xin days; the Greeting the Sun pattern combines and moves the official star. Geng, Xin, Jia, Yi appearing again are auspicious; one can wear purple ribbons and gold seals to be a minister. Yin and Mao (East) luck is noble; Bing and Ding (South) luck brings poverty; South luck is unfavorable and harms the body. If the chart is neutral without bias, one can sit steadily in court and govern the people."