Four Pure Completions (四位纯全): The Pure Symphony of Earthly Branches

In the vast system of BaZi (Chinese astrology), there exists a unique and highly concentrated structural pattern known as the Four Pure Completions (四位纯全). "Four" refers to the Earthly Branches of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour Pillars; "Pure Completion" means these four branches are entirely composed of one of three specific sets — Yin-Shen-Si-Hai (寅申巳亥), Zi-Wu-Mao-You (子午卯酉), or Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei (辰戌丑未) — with no other branches mixed in. This pattern, due to its purity and immense internal kinetic energy, is seen as a symbol of extraordinary potential, often indicating that the person can reach very high levels of achievement. However, purity also implies extreme clashes, and the life path is destined to be accompanied by dramatic upheavals and profound tests.

How to Identify This Pattern

The core criterion lies in the Earthly Branches of the Four Pillars: The branches of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour must be entirely composed of one of the three sets — Yin-Shen-Si-Hai, Zi-Wu-Mao-You, or Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei — without any other branch mixed in.

It can be specifically divided into three types:

  • Four Birth Pure Completion: The Earthly Branches are Yin, Shen, Si, Hai.
  • Four Prosperity Pure Completion: The Earthly Branches are Zi, Wu, Mao, You.
  • Four Treasury Pure Completion: The Earthly Branches are Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei.

The Inner Meaning of the Pattern

Although all belong to the "Pure Completion" category, the implications of the three types are vastly different. Their common ground lies in a grand pattern, a life full of dramatic events, and, due to the widespread Clash relationships among the branches, often some hindrance to relationships with family members.

  • Four Birth Pure Completion (Yin-Shen-Si-Hai): These four branches are the "Birth" (长生) positions of the Five Elements and also represent the "Travelling Horse" (驿马). Individuals with this pattern are usually quick-witted, possess a spirit of exploration, and have strong pioneering abilities. If the chart is well-configured, they have the potential to hold high office and achieve great fame. However, the gathering of the Travelling Horse also signifies a life of constant change, hard work, and difficulty in finding ordinary stability.

  • Four Prosperity Pure Completion (Zi-Wu-Mao-You): These are the "Emperor" (帝旺) positions of the Five Elements and also the location of the "Peach Blossom" (桃花). The person is often full of energy, with outstanding personal charm and leadership skills. When the pattern is successful, in civil affairs they can become a top-ranking official, and in military affairs, a general granted a fiefdom. However, an excess of Peach Blossom energy can lead to a complicated love life, indulgence in sensual pleasures, and a potential lack of virtue.

  • Four Treasury Pure Completion (Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei): These are the "Tomb" (墓库) positions of the Five Elements and also symbolize the "Canopy Star" (华盖). The person is usually deep and strategic, skilled in planning, and has the potential to control vast resources and power. If this pattern is achieved, the nobility is extremely heavy, with implications of an "emperor's destiny." However, the Tomb also represents the "Lonely Star" and "Solitary Star," meaning the inner world may be exceptionally lonely, with thin family ties, feeling isolated even when in a high position.

Key Factors for Success or Failure of the Pattern

  • Favorable Conditions:

    1. Strong Day Master: The Day Stem must have a strong root in the Heavenly Stems or receive support from the Mentor (印) star. Only then does it have enough strength to harness the powerful and conflicting energy among the Earthly Branches.
    2. Harmonious Heavenly Stems: If the configuration of the Heavenly Stems can play a positive role in "mediating" or "controlling" the Clashes among the Earthly Branches, the level of the pattern will be greatly enhanced. For example, in the Four Prosperity Pure Completion pattern, if the Heavenly Stems form a combination of "Executive generating Mentor" (官印相生), it can transform the Peach Blossom energy into authority and charisma.
    3. Auspicious Luck Cycles: The Luck Cycles (大运) of life must move in a direction that can balance and channel the immense energy of the original chart, in order to transform potential into real-world achievements.
  • Unfavorable Factors:

    1. Weak Day Master: If the Day Stem is weak and rootless, not only will the person be unable to harness the pattern, but they will be counter-attacked by the intense Clash energy of the branches, leading to a life full of disasters and even a shortened lifespan.
    2. Heavenly Stems Escalating Conflict: If the Heavenly Stems not only fail to harmonize but also join the conflict, forming a "Heavenly Stem Overcome and Earthly Branch Clash" (天克地冲) situation, the pattern becomes extremely dangerous, and life will be turbulent.
    3. Overall Five Elements Imbalance: Even if the Earthly Branches are pure, if the entire chart suffers from a severe imbalance of the Five Elements and lacks a strong Useful God (用神) to balance it, the grand potential of this pattern will be difficult to activate, and it may instead lead to a lonely and bitter outcome.

Classical Texts

The Comprehensive Guide to Fate (《三命通会》)

Yin, Shen, Si, Hai possess the vital energy of the Five Elements, the Travelling Horse, and the Literary Noble, thus they are called the Four Births. Zi, Wu, Mao, You possess the flourishing energy of the Five Elements, and Yi, Xin, Ding, Gui approach them, thus they are called the Four Uprights. Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei possess the mixed energy of the Five Elements, and the Canopy Star and Mentor approach them, thus they are called the Four Tombs. The classics say: "Wealth, Executive, and Mentor, when settled in Yin, Shen, Si, Hai, are auspicious."

The "True Treasure Rhapsody" says: "Zi, Wu, Mao, You form the image of Eight Specializations. In civil affairs, one becomes a top-rank official, a pillar of the state. In military affairs, one is granted a fiefdom and achieves success." It also says: "Yin, Shen, Si, Hai complete, one's position reaches the Three Dukes."

The "Principle of the Universe Rhapsody" says: "Zi, Wu, Mao, You all present, one is lost in wine and lust."

The "Thousand Li Horse" says: "The Four Tombs complete, the dragon transforms; encountering the Great Sea, one becomes the supreme ruler."

The "Treasure Mirror Rhapsody" asserts: "Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei in sequence, it is undoubtedly the destiny of an emperor."

The "Reasoning Song" says: "The Four Tombs complete are called the Four Nobles, ranking high in the court and holding the balance of power."

The "Unique Steps" says: "Yin, Shen, Si, Hai are the Four Births pattern. If the Useful God is strong and the Self is robust, encountering it brings fortune. Zi, Wu, Mao, You are the Four Defeats pattern. Men who encounter it experience rise and fall; women who encounter it experience loneliness."

Those who match this pattern are mostly destined for great wealth and nobility, but they inevitably suffer harm to their six relatives and family members, with advances and retreats linked together, because each branch clashes with another without combination. For example, if Zi, Wu, Mao, You are exchanged in the Year, Month, Day, and Hour, Zi takes Chen and Shen as its relatives, You takes Si and Chou as its kind, Wu takes Yin and Xu as its union, Mao takes Hai and Wei as its connection. Each pillar favors its own, which definitely leads to the separation of flesh and blood. If it also carries the Lonely, Solitary, Punishment, or Harm stars, the harm and loss will be severe.

The "Essential Records" says: "Zi, Wu, Mao, You, when entering the pattern, are the complete Four Extremes; when losing the pattern, they become the Peach Blossoms all over the fields. Men and women who commit this, even if noble and wealthy, cannot avoid indulgence in wine and lust and are people of shallow virtue."

The "Tai Yi Classic" warns: "When things are too strong, they break, like a violent storm that arrives fiercely and fades quickly. It requires the 'Embryo' position to succeed it, then it can become a long-lasting and grand destiny. Otherwise, I have seen many who, due to this pattern's Clashes, achieved early success but died young."

A poem says: "Yin, Shen, Si, Hai, four characters linked; Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei are also the same. If one does not hold the great power of the world, they will surely be a close minister serving the emperor." Another poem says: "If the Day Pillar has Monthly Virtue, Day Noble, and the Gang Star, and the Four Pillars form a Pure Completion pattern, it is great auspiciousness and prosperity. If it also enters the regular patterns of Zi Ping, such a fate is not ordinary."

This also refers to cases where the Four Pillars are composed of four identical "Day Virtue" stems (e.g., four Jia Yin), four "Gang Star" stems (e.g., four Geng Chen), or four "Day Noble" stems (e.g., four Gui Mao), with no other Heavenly Stems or Earthly Branches mixed in. Their interpretation can be considered the same as the Four Pure Completions pattern.

Modern Interpretation: Yin, Shen, Si, Hai are where the vital energy of the Five Elements is born, and also the residence of stars like the Travelling Horse and Literary Noble, hence called the "Four Births" (the Birth stage). Zi, Wu, Mao, You gather the flourishing energy of the Five Elements, and when Yin stems like Yi, Xin, Ding, Gui approach them, they are in the "Defeat" stage, hence called the "Four Uprights" (the four cardinal directions). Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei contain the mixed energy of the Five Elements, and are where stars like the Canopy Star and Mentor descend, hence called the "Four Tombs" (the Tomb stage). The classics say: "It is auspicious if Wealth, Executive, and Mentor can be settled in the Birth positions of Yin, Shen, Si, Hai."

The "True Treasure Rhapsody" points out: "Zi, Wu, Mao, You complete, forming the image of pure specialization in all directions. If one pursues a civil path, they can become a top-rank official and a pillar of the state; if one pursues a military path, they can be granted a fiefdom and achieve fame." It also mentions: "Yin, Shen, Si, Hai complete, one's official rank can reach the position of the Three Dukes." The "Principle of the Universe Rhapsody" believes: "Zi, Wu, Mao, You all present, one easily indulges in wine and lust." The "Thousand Li Horse" says: "The Four Tombs complete are like a divine dragon obtaining water, able to transform and soar; if one also encounters the Nayin sound of the Great Sea Water, they have the status of an emperor." The "Treasure Mirror Rhapsody" asserts: "Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei arranged in sequence, it is undoubtedly the destiny of an emperor." The "Reasoning Song" states: "The Four Tombs complete are called the 'Four Nobles,' able to rank among the court and hold the balance of power." The "Unique Steps" says: "Yin, Shen, Si, Hai are the Four Births pattern; if the Useful God is strong and the Day Master is robust, encountering it brings fortune. Zi, Wu, Mao, You are the Four Defeats (Bathing) pattern; men who encounter it will experience ups and downs in life; women who encounter it will experience loneliness."

The "Essential Records of the Five Elements" discusses: "Zi, Wu, Mao, You complete, if they form a pattern, it is the great pattern of the 'Complete Four Extremes'; if they lose the pattern, it becomes 'Peach Blossoms all over the fields.' Regardless of gender, even if they obtain wealth and nobility, they cannot avoid indulgence in wine and lust and become people of shallow virtue." The "Tai Yi Classic" warns: "When things are too strong, they are prone to break, like a violent storm, coming fiercely and leaving quickly. They need the 'Embryo' position as a continuation to become a long-lasting and grand destiny. Otherwise, I have seen many who, due to the Clashes of this pattern, achieved success early but died young."

A poem says: "Yin, Shen, Si, Hai, four characters linked; Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei are also the same. Even if one cannot hold the world's power, they will surely be a close minister serving the king." Another poem says: "If the Day Pillar has Monthly Virtue, Day Noble, and the Gang Star, and the Four Pillars form a Pure Completion pattern, it is great auspiciousness and prosperity. If it can also enter the regular patterns of Zi Ping, such a fate is not ordinary."

It is also mentioned here that if the Four Pillars are composed of four identical "Day Virtue" stems (e.g., four Jia Yin), four "Gang Star" stems (e.g., four Geng Chen), or four "Day Noble" stems (e.g., four Gui Mao), with no other Heavenly Stems or Earthly Branches mixed in, their interpretation can be considered the same as the Four Pure Completions pattern.

Common Questions

What exactly is the Four Pure Completions pattern?

The Four Pure Completions is a special structure in a BaZi chart where the Earthly Branches of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour Pillars are entirely composed of one of the sets: Yin-Shen-Si-Hai, Zi-Wu-Mao-You, or Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei. This pure and energy-concentrated structure symbolizes immense potential for achievement and wealth, but it also has built-in intense Clashes, indicating a life of significant ups and downs.

How can I check if I have this pattern?

To determine if you have the Four Pure Completions pattern, simply check the Earthly Branches below the Year, Month, Day, and Hour Pillars in your BaZi chart. If all four branches are Yin-Shen-Si-Hai, or all are Zi-Wu-Mao-You, or all are Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei, with no other branches mixed in, then you have this pattern.

Why do people with this pattern experience particularly large life fluctuations?

The core characteristic of this pattern is the purity and concentration of energy. The Earthly Branch combinations themselves often have Clash relationships (e.g., Zi-Wu Clash, Yin-Shen Clash). This immense internal kinetic energy can both drive the person to extraordinary heights and inevitably cause drastic changes and challenges in life, career, and relationships, resulting in a life path marked by great rises and falls.

How can one maximize the advantages of this pattern?

To maximize the positive effects of this pattern, several conditions are needed: First, the Day Master (the Day Stem representing oneself) must be strong and robust. Second, the configuration of the Heavenly Stems must skillfully harmonize or transform the Clashes of the Earthly Branches (e.g., forming an Executive-Mentor combination). Finally, the Luck Cycles and Annual Cycles must support and balance the immense energy of the chart. When all three are present, one can truly harness and realize the grand potential of the pattern.

What are the specific types of this pattern, and what does each represent?

There are three main types: Four Birth Pure Completion (Yin-Shen-Si-Hai), indicating intelligence, restlessness, and a pioneering spirit, but a life of constant travel; Four Prosperity Pure Completion (Zi-Wu-Mao-You), indicating abundant energy, charisma, and leadership, but a need to guard against excessive Peach Blossom energy; and Four Treasury Pure Completion (Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei), indicating depth, strategy, and a talent for accumulation and control, but a tendency towards inner loneliness. Different types lead to vastly different life scripts and personality traits.

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