Six Yi Rat Noble (六乙鼠贵): The Hidden Pattern of Rat Nobility

In the special patterns of BaZi fortune analysis, there is a fascinating combination known as the "hidden pattern" — the Six Yi Rat Noble (六乙鼠贵). The term "Six Yi" refers to six specific days with the Heavenly Stem Yi (Yin Wood), while "Rat Noble" derives from its core nobility coming from the Earthly Branch Zi (Rat, the zodiac animal). This pattern specifically applies to individuals born on a Yi day at the Bing Zi hour. Through a sophisticated system of remote combination and momentum linkage, this pattern subtly activates the energy of official nobility without the official star being present in the chart. As the classic Xi Ji Pian (喜忌篇) states: "When Yin Wood meets the Zi hour alone, it becomes the ground of Six Yi Rat Noble."

How to Identify This Pattern

This pattern has strict conditions: it must be one of the six Yi days — Yi Chou, Yi Mao, Yi Si, Yi Wei, Yi You, or Yi Hai — born at the Bing Zi hour. Additionally, the Four Pillars must contain no official or Warlord stars (Metal) and no Clash, Punishment, Harm, or Break (such as Wu, Mao, etc.), and the Day Master Yi Wood must be strong enough to qualify.

Specific rules are as follows:

• Core Condition: The birth day must be one of the six Yi days listed above, and the birth hour must be Bing Zi (23:00–00:59).
• Avoid Official Stars: The entire chart's Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches must not contain Geng, Xin, Shen, or You. These official or Warlord stars, if present, are called "filling in" and will directly destroy the pattern's purity.
• Avoid Clashing the Foundation: The Earthly Branch Wu (Horse) is most feared. Zi-Wu Clash directly impacts and destroys the Zi Water noble, which is the pattern's cornerstone.
• Avoid Punishing the Nobility: The Earthly Branch Mao (Rabbit) is also unfavorable. Zi-Mao has a Punishment of impropriety, which damages the noble energy.
• Avoid Binding Combinations: The Earthly Branch Chou (Ox) is likewise unfavorable. Zi-Chou Combination binds the noble Zi Water, causing it to "covet the combination and forget its nobility," rendering it ineffective.
• Require Strong Self: The birth month (month pillar) is best in seasons of abundant Water and Wood, such as Yin, Mao, Hai, or Zi months, ensuring the Day Master Yi Wood has a solid foundation to bear and manifest the pattern's noble energy.

Deep Meaning of the Pattern

Individuals with the Six Yi Rat Noble pattern are typically described as intelligent, refined, talented, and of noble character. Ancient texts suggest this pattern can attract the Shen Metal official star through hidden channels, thus indicating nobility. From the perspective of Five Element interactions, it forms a beautiful "Wood Fire Illumination" phenomenon: the Day Master Yi Wood is like a plant with strong roots; the hour branch Zi Water is like dew, continuously nourishing; the hour stem Bing Fire is like sunlight, warming and shining. Their coordination allows the native's refined energy to flow smoothly and talents to fully express. Therefore, those with this pattern often excel in fields requiring wisdom and creativity, such as culture, education, art, and academic research, gaining reputation and status — a "refined nobility." The hour pillar also represents later life and children; Bing Zi as a favorable element usually indicates good fortune in later years and capable, successful children.

However, this pattern's weakness lies in its extreme purity and high demand for chart balance. If the Day Master Yi Wood is weak, the Bing Fire Maverick (伤官) will excessively drain its energy, leading to difficulty in showcasing talents or even physical weakness. Once the pattern is destroyed, the noble energy dissipates, and the native may easily fall into disputes and troubles.

Favorable and Unfavorable Points

• Favorable:

  1. Strong Self with Mentor: Birth in spring (Wood strong) or winter (Water strong) is ideal. Water and Wood energy provides abundant power to the Day Master.
  2. Multiple Zi for Accumulated Nobility: Unlike some hidden patterns that dislike repetition, this pattern favors multiple Zi branches in the chart, called "accumulated nobility," greatly enhancing the pattern's foundation and fortune.
  3. Maverick and Talent Luck: For strong Self charts, luck cycles moving to southern fire directions (Si, Wu) are very favorable. Fire strengthens the hour stem Bing Fire Maverick, providing the best stage for the native's talents and refined energy to shine, leading to career success and rising fame.

• Unfavorable:

  1. Official Stars Break the Pattern: This is the number one taboo. If Geng, Xin, Shen, or You appear in the chart or luck cycles, it forms "Maverick meets Official," instantly breaking the pattern and inviting legal troubles, setbacks, and disasters.
  2. Wu Clashes Zi: Zi-Wu Clash is the most direct destruction of this pattern, meaning nobles stay away, opportunities are missed, and life is full of turbulence.
  3. Chou Binds Zi: Chou Earth binds Zi Water, preventing it from functioning freely, leading to trapped talents, stagnant opportunities, and frequent inner frustration.

Classical Text and Interpretation

San Ming Tong Hui (三命通会)

The Xi Ji Pian says: "When Yin Wood meets the Zi hour alone, it becomes the ground of Six Yi Rat Noble." Yi's Heavenly Noble stars are Zi and Shen; meeting only Zi uses the Rat, not the Monkey. Yi uses Geng Metal as its Executive star. Obtaining the Bing Zi hour, through the Bing Fire on Zi remotely combining with its own Lu position in Si, Si then combines with Shen, and Shen then moves Zi — this forms the Shen-Zi-Chen Triple Combination of noble energy. It means Shen brings Geng Metal Executive to Yi Wood. If Shen hour were used directly, the official star would be exposed, so it is not taken. If there are many Zi branches, it is called "accumulated nobility," which is even better. If the year or month pillars have Wu clashing or Chou binding Zi, then Zi cannot remotely attract the official Lu. If Geng Shen Executive or Xin You Warlord appear in the Heavenly Stems, they are injured by Bing Fire, and Zi becomes ineffective. The same applies to annual and luck cycles.

This pattern requires the month pillar to have a Wood combination or abundant Wood energy, and the day branch should also be in a Wood-strong position. Water Mentor is also acceptable. Metal and Fire are taboo. If the luck cycle encounters Shen or You, there will be misfortune; moving to Wood directions gradually fades the nobility; Wu luck may bring death. For example, the chart: Ren Yin, Xin Hai, Yi Wei, Bing Zi qualifies. If it is Yi Chou day, Chou binds Zi; Yi You day, You Warlord harms the Day Master — both reduce the pattern's level. With a single Zi, fear Mao Punishment or Chou Binding; multiple Zi are fine. If Xin Metal appears but is weak, and Bing or Ding Fire combines to overcome it (e.g., Bing Xin combines into Water), and the luck cycle is smooth, the nobility is not damaged. For example, charts: Ji Chou, Bing Zi, Yi Mao, Bing Zi — two Zi sandwich one Mao; Ding Si, Ren Zi, Yi Chou, Bing Zi — two Zi sandwich one Chou. Although these violate some taboos, they form a special "sandwiched nobility" structure, so both are great noble destinies.

If born in summer (Fire strong), treat it as a Maverick pattern. Born in the seventh or eighth lunar month (Shen You Metal strong), it indicates poverty and low status. If born in Geng Shen month but luck moves to northern Water directions, it can be treated as an Executive pattern. Born in seasonal Earth months (Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei) with wealth vaults, favor Water combinations, Maverick and Talent luck; southern Fire luck is also auspicious. In general, if the month pillar has abundant Wealth, Executive, or Mentor stars, treat it as a regular Wealth-Executive-Mentor pattern, and do not consider Wu clashing Zi as a disaster. If the Rat Noble pattern is present but the chart has Wei combining Wu (reducing the clash), the pattern is slightly flawed, indicating wealth but somewhat empty fame. The Xiang Xin Fu says: "Six Yi Rat Noble, if met with Wu clash, will be as poor as Yan Hui." The Zhen Bao Fu says: "Rat Noble with Talent, early becomes a regional governor or court minister."

Poems say: "Yi Wood born at Bing Zi hour, must avoid Wu break and Mao Punishment. If the Four Pillars lack Shen, You, or Chou, the youth will bow at the palace steps." Another: "Six Yi Rat Noble at birth hour, Warlord and Executive clash not suitable. If the month has true three Wood, then one can achieve extraordinary profit and rank." Another: "Yi day person gets Zi hour, called Rat Noble most rare. Beware of Wu character breaking and clashing, Xin You and Geng Shen always unfavorable." Another: "Six Yi born meet Zi hour, already with Executive star use this. Geng Shen Xin You Horse Ox bully, one encounter makes a beggar." Another: "Yi day hour meets Bing Zi cycle, Executive star not needed in month. Yi Bing can support Blade, Bing gets Punishment Geng to noble god."

This pattern should not encounter Wu Blade within, and also fears Geng Xin. If luck cycles are analyzed without break, the person enjoys leisure and fortune. The Xi Jiang Yue says: "Yi day born meets Bing Zi, named Rat Noble mysterious. No clash no break fortune complete, Mentor Talent abundant manifest. Many Zi called accumulated nobility, slight encounter break brings fault. Born spring Mentor land fortune vast, luck cycle Metal direction battle."

Modern Interpretation: The Xi Ji Pian points out that a Yi Wood Day Master born alone at the Zi hour constitutes the Six Yi Rat Noble pattern. Yi's Heavenly Noble stars are Zi and Shen; this pattern uses only Zi (Rat) and not Shen (Monkey). Yi uses Geng Metal as its Executive. Obtaining the Bing Zi hour, the internal mechanism is: using the Bing Fire above Zi to remotely combine with Bing Fire's own Lu position in Si. The activated Si then combines with Shen, and Shen then moves Zi — forming the Shen-Zi-Chen Triple Combination (noble combination) linkage. This means Shen brings Geng Metal Executive to Yi Wood, granting the Day Master official nobility. If Shen hour were used directly, the official star would be exposed, so it is not taken. If there are many Zi branches, it is called "accumulated nobility," raising the pattern's level. If the year or month pillars have Wu clashing Zi or Chou binding Zi, Zi cannot complete the remote combination of official Lu. If Geng Shen Executive or Xin You Warlord appear in the Heavenly Stems and are injured by Bing Fire, Zi as the "intermediary" fails. The same applies to luck and annual cycles.

This pattern requires the month pillar to have abundant Wood energy or a Wood combination, and the day branch should also be in a Wood-strong position. Water Mentor is acceptable. Metal and Fire are taboo. Luck cycles encountering Shen or You Metal bring danger; moving to Wood directions gradually fades the nobility; Wu Fire luck may bring death. For example, the chart: Ren Yin, Xin Hai, Yi Wei, Bing Zi qualifies. If it is Yi Chou day, Chou binds Zi; Yi You day, You Warlord harms the Day Master — both reduce the pattern's level. With a single Zi, fear Mao Punishment or Chou Binding; multiple Zi are fine. If Xin Metal Warlord appears but is weak, and Bing or Ding Fire combines to overcome it (e.g., Bing Xin combines into Water), and the luck cycle is smooth, the nobility is not damaged. For example, charts: Ji Chou, Bing Zi, Yi Mao, Bing Zi — two Zi sandwich one Mao; Ding Si, Ren Zi, Yi Chou, Bing Zi — two Zi sandwich one Chou. Although these violate some taboos, they form a special "sandwiched nobility" structure, so both are great noble destinies.

If born in summer (Fire strong), treat it as a Maverick pattern. Born in the seventh or eighth lunar month (Shen You Metal strong), it indicates poverty and low status. If born in Geng Shen month but luck moves to northern Water directions, it can be treated as an Executive pattern. Born in seasonal Earth months (Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei) with wealth vaults, favor Water combinations, Maverick and Talent luck; southern Fire luck is also auspicious. In general, if the month pillar has abundant Wealth, Executive, or Mentor stars, treat it as a regular Wealth-Executive-Mentor pattern, and do not consider Wu clashing Zi as a disaster. If the Rat Noble pattern is present but the chart has Wei combining Wu (reducing the clash), the pattern is slightly flawed, indicating wealth but somewhat empty fame. The Xiang Xin Fu says: "Six Yi Rat Noble, if met with Wu clash, will be as poor as Yan Hui." The Zhen Bao Fu says: "Rat Noble with Talent, early becomes a regional governor or court minister."