Day Virtue (日德): An Auspicious Pattern of Benevolence and Fortune
In BaZi fortune analysis, one pattern is highly esteemed for its profound blessings and inherently kind nature: the "Day Virtue" (日德) pattern. Its core lies in the Day Pillar being one of five specific Stem-Branch combinations: Jia Yin (甲寅), Bing Chen (丙辰), Wu Chen (戊辰), Geng Chen (庚辰), and Ren Xu (壬戌). The ancients named it "Day Virtue" to compare its moral character to the sun's radiant and all-encompassing light, symbolizing that the native is naturally benevolent, blessed with enduring fortune, and often protected throughout life.
How to Identify the Day Virtue Pattern
The determination of this pattern depends entirely on whether the Day Pillar is one of the following five specific combinations. The quality and preferences of the pattern are closely related to the frequency of Day Virtue appearing in the Four Pillars.
The specific rules are as follows:
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The Five Day Pillars that Constitute Day Virtue:
- Jia Yin (甲寅)
- Bing Chen (丙辰)
- Wu Chen (戊辰)
- Geng Chen (庚辰)
- Ren Xu (壬戌)
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Pattern Level and Preferences:
- Single Day Virtue: Only the Day Pillar is a Day Virtue. In this case, the pattern prefers to see the Earner (正财) and Executive (正官) stars in the chart to assist and coordinate, thus achieving wealth and status.
- Overlapping Day Virtue: When the Year, Month, or Hour Pillars also contain a Day Virtue Stem-Branch, this forms "Overlapping Day Virtue." The pattern's own strength is already very abundant. In this case, it dislikes seeing additional Earner or Executive stars, as it seeks purity of the pattern.
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Core Taboo — Warlord Star (魁罡): This pattern is most averse to encountering the "Warlord" star (Geng Chen, Geng Xu, Ren Chen, Wu Xu) in the Four Pillars or Luck Cycles. The benevolent gentleness of Day Virtue and the fierce strength of the Warlord are completely opposite in nature and conflict with each other. If they meet, there is a risk of breaking the pattern, indicating misfortune. It is especially important to avoid a Warlord that forms a Heavenly Stem Clash and Earthly Branch Clash with the Day Pillar (for example, a Geng Chen day encountering Geng Xu).
Intrinsic Characteristics of the Pattern
People with the Day Virtue pattern are usually compassionate, broad-minded, steady, and honest in their dealings. Ancient texts describe them as having a "sturdy build" and a kind heart that pities the poor and respects the elderly, with little inclination for scheming or calculation. The most commendable blessing of this pattern is the ability to "find rescue in danger and find a solution in difficulty," as if born with a protective force to resolve crises, allowing them to avoid major disasters and enjoy a stable life of fortune and prosperity.
If the pattern is pure and well-combined, the native will not only be virtuous and respected but also likely to achieve high social status and success. However, there is a key contradiction in this pattern: its mutual exclusion with the "Warlord" star. If the chart or Luck Cycles are improperly matched and violate the Warlord taboo, the pattern can be destroyed. The original kind heart may be harmed by the harsh and aggressive energy, leading to a biased temperament, a turbulent fate, and even disaster.
Preferences and Taboos of the Pattern
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Favorable:
- Strong Self Luck: When the Luck Cycle arrives at a period that strengthens the Day Master, it solidifies the native's foundation, allowing them to better display their benevolent, steady, and compassionate nature, making their fortune more secure.
- Pure Pattern: Especially in the case of "Overlapping Day Virtue," a pure pattern without the mixing of Earner and Executive stars, and without Punishment (刑), Clash (冲), or Harm (害), indicates noble character and blessed longevity.
- Single Day Virtue with Earner and Executive: If there is only one Day Virtue in the Day Pillar, it is favorable for the Earner and Executive stars in the chart to be properly configured, creating a good balance with the Day Master, indicating promising wealth and status.
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Unfavorable:
- Warlord Star: This is the number one taboo. Whether in the original chart or Luck Cycles, the appearance of a Warlord that clashes with Day Virtue means the pattern is broken, fortune is damaged, and disaster is likely.
- Punishment, Clash, Break, Harm: The Day Pillar, as the foundation of Day Virtue, dislikes being subjected to Punishment, Clash, Break (破), or Harm from other Earthly Branches. If the foundation is shaken, fortune becomes unstable, and character may also be affected.
- Overlapping Day Virtue with Earner and Executive: If multiple Day Virtues are already present in the chart, the pattern's strength is sufficient. Seeing additional Earner or Executive stars at this point will destroy the purity of the pattern and is considered a break.
Classical Text and Interpretation
From the "Three Lives Comprehensive Guide" (三命通会):
This pattern only has five days: Jia Yin, Bing Chen, Wu Chen, Geng Chen, Ren Xu. It selects the five Yang Stems: Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, Ren. Jia sitting on Yin obtains the Official (禄) position; Bing sitting on Chen is the Executive's treasury; Geng sitting on Chen has both Earner and Mentor; Ren sitting on Xu has all three rarities. Yin is the head of the three Yangs; Chen and Xu are the places of the Warlord. The Stem-Branch is different from other positions, hence the name "Day Virtue." Checking the 125 auspicious stars, there is no Day Virtue, perhaps it has another meaning, which I do not understand. Day Virtue should be multiple; it is used when two or three are present together. If there is only one, one should still take the Earner, Executive, Mentor, or Talent from the Month Order. Determine which one is in the right position and time, and which one is harmed and out of time. Take what is usable and discard what is not. If it matches Day Virtue, the person is kind-hearted, has a sturdy build, has a heart that pities the poor and respects the elderly, has no intention of harming or exploiting others, finds rescue in danger, finds a solution in difficulty, does not suffer from unexpected calamities, and will have abundant fortune.
The "Ode" says: "Day Virtue people are kind-hearted, steady, and gentle in their actions." This is the meaning. When luck arrives at a place that strengthens the Self, it is exceptionally wonderful. If the strong energy has already declined, encountering the Warlord in the Luck Cycle will surely bring death; or if the pattern is good but has not yet brought fortune, when luck arrives at the Warlord, disaster will surely occur. Once past this, one can revive, but the strength will ultimately be weak. This pattern with only one Day Virtue likes Earner and Executive. Overlapping Day Virtue should not see Earner and Executive, nor Punishment, Clash, Break, Harm, Void, or the meeting of the Warlord. All these are great taboos.
The poem says: "Ren Xu and Geng Chen are the Day Virtue's Executive; Jia Yin, Wu, and Bing need to ride the Dragon. When luck arrives at a strong Self, the heart is kind and compassionate; with many Day Virtues, fortune is naturally abundant." Another: "Day Virtue dislikes seeing the Warlord; if it transforms into a killing star, it is most difficult to bear. If it appears repeatedly in the chart, illness will come quickly; if encountered in the Luck Cycle, death will surely follow." Another: "Bing Chen must beware of seeing Ren Chen; Ren Xu must guard against Wu Xu appearing; Geng Chen sitting on the day fears Geng Xu; Jia Yin also worries about Geng Chen." Another: "With many Day Virtues, calamity is avoided; the Executive star and the Earner's place are taboo. If there are no Clashes, Breaks, or Voids, one can be a pillar of the court." Another: "Day Virtue likes the killing star to strengthen the Self; it does not like the Earner star or the Executive star's prosperous place. The nature is gentle and more compassionate; a life of fortune and longevity is very extraordinary."
For example, Zhang Zhu's chart: Jia Shen, Wu Chen, Wu Chen, Ren Xu. He rose from a scholar-official to a high-ranking official wearing gold and purple, obtaining a fifth-rank official title. This is an example of this pattern. Another chart: Geng Chen, Ji Mao, Wu Chen, Jia Yin. It has three Day Virtues and is considered this pattern. However, Jia Yin fears seeing Geng Chen. The Luck Cycle runs to Ren Wu, the Earner's place. Wu contains the Blade (阳刃), which holds power. All these violate the Day Virtue taboos. In the Ding Si year, Yin and Si formed a Punishment, and he died in the fourth month at the age of 38. He was heavy-tempered in life, not very kind, and suffered from a long-term illness. Further examining Day Virtue, there are days like Bing Zi, Ren Wu, Xin Mao, Ding You, etc., and also days like Yi Si, Yi You, Yi Chou, etc. I am afraid this is not correct.
Modern Interpretation: The Day Virtue pattern consists of only five specific Day Pillars. It selects the five Yang Stems: Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, and Ren, each with its own merit: Jia Wood sits on Yin, which is its Official (禄) position; Bing Fire sits on Chen, which serves as the treasury for the Executive star; Geng Metal sits on Chen, which contains Yi Wood (Earner) and Wu Earth (Mystic), thus having both Earner and Mentor; Ren Water sits on Xu, which contains Ding Fire (Earner), Wu Earth (Warlord), and Xin Metal (Mentor), which can be called the three rarities. Yin is the birthplace of Yang energy, while Chen and Xu are the residences of the Warlord. These Stem-Branch combinations are unique, hence the name "Day Virtue."
Those who match this pattern are usually kind-hearted, have a sturdy build, are compassionate, and have no intention of harming others. They often turn danger into safety in life, avoid unexpected disasters, and have deep fortune. In the traditional system of Fate Stars, there is no name "Day Virtue"; perhaps its meaning has another origin. This pattern is better when seen multiple times; if two or three Day Virtue pillars appear simultaneously, the pattern's strength is stronger. If there is only one in the Day Pillar, one must still rely on the Ten Gods such as Earner, Executive, Mentor, or Talent revealed in the Month Pillar to determine the pattern's quality, analyzing which ones are in season and usable, and which ones are out of season and should be discarded.
The ode saying "Day Virtue people are kind-hearted, steady, and gentle in their actions" captures this meaning. When the Luck Cycle arrives at a place that strengthens the Self, the fortune is excellent. However, if the Day Master's strong energy has already declined, encountering a Warlord Luck Cycle is very dangerous; or if the pattern is good but has not yet brought fortune, once entering a Warlord Luck Cycle, disaster will immediately strike. Even if one can revive after passing this period, the strength will be greatly diminished. A single Day Virtue likes to see Earner and Executive, but overlapping Day Virtue should avoid seeing Earner and Executive, as well as Punishment, Clash, Break, Harm, Void, and the meeting of the Warlord. These are all great taboos.
The poems further clarify: "Ren Xu and Geng Chen are the Day Virtue's Executive; Jia Yin, Wu, and Bing need to ride the Dragon. When luck arrives at a strong Self, the heart is kind and compassionate; with many Day Virtues, fortune is naturally abundant." They also warn: "Day Virtue dislikes seeing the Warlord; if it transforms into a killing star, it is most difficult to bear. If it appears repeatedly in the chart, illness will come quickly; if encountered in the Luck Cycle, death will surely follow." They specifically point out the taboos for each Day Pillar: Bing Chen day fears seeing Ren Chen (Water and Fire clash); Ren Xu day must guard against Wu Xu (Water and Earth clash); Geng Chen day most fears Geng Xu (Chen and Xu clash and have the same Nayin sound); Jia Yin day must worry about Geng Chen (Metal and Wood clash). In summary, overlapping Day Virtue can avoid calamity, but at this time, the Executive star and the Earner's place are both taboo. If there are no Clashes or Voids, one can be a pillar of the court. The Day Virtue pattern likes the Day Master to be strong with the Warlord star, and dislikes an overly strong Earner or Executive. It indicates a gentle and compassionate nature, with a life of fortune and longevity.
For example, Zhang Zhu's chart: Jia Shen, Wu Chen, Wu Chen, Ren Xu. Both the Day Pillar and Hour Pillar are Day Virtues. He started as a scholar-official and eventually reached the fifth rank, wearing gold and purple. This is a manifestation of this pattern. Another chart: Geng Chen, Ji Mao, Wu Chen, Jia Yin. The Year, Day, and Hour Pillars all carry Day Virtue. It could be considered this pattern, but Jia Yin day fears seeing Geng Chen (Year Pillar). The Luck Cycle also runs to Ren Wu, the Earner's place, where Wu contains the Blade, all of which violate the Day Virtue pattern's taboos. Finally, in the Ding Si year, due to the Punishment between Yin and Si, he died in the fourth month at only 38 years old. His temperament in life was not kind or generous, and he suffered from a long-term illness. As for those who believe that days like Bing Zi, Ren Wu, etc., also belong to Day Virtue, this is likely not the orthodox view.