{
  "title": "BaZi Pattern Establishment (格局) — How to Determine Your Life Blueprint",
  "description": "Learn how BaZi patterns are established using the Month Branch, hidden stems, and the Ten Gods to reveal your life's blueprint.",
  "content": "### How Are Patterns Established?

In the development of BaZi (八字) fortune analysis, a key but often overlooked figure is Master Yi Jian of the Western Mountain. His major contribution was pioneering the \"Six Patterns\" theory. This view is clearly recorded in the *Treasure Methods* chapter of the *Yuan Hai Zi Ping*:

> The method of Zi Ping focuses on the Day Master, taking the element commanded by the Month Pillar as the order. Next, examine the Year, Month, and Hour Branches to reveal its signs. All patterns use the Month Pillar's command; do not seek patterns from the Year, Day, or Hour elsewhere. Many today do not understand this method, leading to a hundred failures in a hundred attempts. ... Master Yi Jian of the Western Mountain achieved flexibility, dividing the ten patterns into six for emphasis: Executive (官), Mentor (印), Earner (财), Warlord (杀), Talent (食神), and Maverick (伤官). By weighing these, nothing fails. His method says: When encountering the Executive, look at the Earner; when encountering the Warlord, look at the Mentor; when encountering the Mentor, look at the Executive. These are profound, unspoken methods. Take the four without bias; where generation and control meet destruction or decline, it is an inferior fortune. Where there is generation and removal, assistance and blessing, stripping and calamity. The principle is profound and best studied carefully. Do not be deceived by mediocre arts; study it well and apply it diligently.

> The method of Zi Ping takes the Day as primary, first examining the Month Pillar's command, then using the Year, Day, and Hour Branches to form a complete pattern before making judgments. All use the Month Order; do not take patterns from the Year. In studying Zi Ping's numbers, if the pattern is uncertain, nine out of ten will be wrong. Only Master Yi Jian's method: if the Month Order uses Metal, use only Metal; if it uses Fire, use only Fire. If the BaZi has much Water but one takes Water instead of Fire, this is an error. Judging by this method, half will be mistaken. Master Yi Jian of the Western Mountain penetrated the mysteries, taking the eighteen patterns' fortunes and emphasizing six patterns, using mutual generation. To fix the pattern and combine the bureau, still use the Year, Day, and Hour below to weigh the depth and shallowness—never a single error. The Six Patterns method says: When encountering the Executive, look at the Earner; when encountering the Earner, look at the Warlord; when encountering the Warlord, look at the Mentor; when encountering the Mentor, look at the Executive.

Regarding the method of selecting patterns, classical texts have subtle differences and have not formed an absolute unified standard. This system primarily follows the discussions in the *Three Lives Comprehensive Guide* (三命通会), adopting the following steps to establish a pattern:

**Core: Base it on the Month Branch**

First, examine the Heavenly Stems hidden within the Month Branch (i.e., the Main Qi, Middle Qi, and Residual Qi). For example, if the Day Master is Jia Wood, born in the Shen (Monkey) month. Shen hides Geng Metal, Ren Water, and Wu Earth.

**Key: Check if the Heavenly Stem is Revealed (Heaven Revealed, Earth Hidden)**

Next, observe which of the hidden stems in the Month Branch appears on the Heavenly Stem of the Four Pillars. Prioritize selection in the order of Main Qi, Middle Qi, and Residual Qi. If Geng Metal is revealed, it is established as the Warlord Pattern; if Ren Water is revealed, it is the Mystic Pattern. Except for Peer and Rival, the other eight Ten Gods can all serve as patterns.

#### Priority Order for Establishing Patterns

1.  **First Priority**: A hidden stem from the Month Branch is revealed on the Heavenly Stem of the Month Pillar.
2.  **Second Priority**: A hidden stem from the Month Branch is not revealed on the Month Stem but is revealed on the Year or Hour Pillar's Heavenly Stem.
3.  **Third Priority**: The hidden stems of the Month Branch are not revealed, but the Heavenly Stem of the Month Pillar has a strong root in the Year, Day, or Hour Branches.
4.  **Fourth Priority**: If none of the above apply, any Ten God that is revealed on a Heavenly Stem and has a root in an Earthly Branch (Heaven Revealed, Earth Hidden) can be taken as the pattern.
5.  **Coexisting Patterns (Same Element)**: If two patterns of the same element appear simultaneously (e.g., Executive and Warlord), it is considered a deviant pattern (in this case, treated as the Warlord Pattern).
6.  **Coexisting Patterns (Different Elements)**: If two patterns of different elements exist (e.g., Talent Pattern and Warlord Pattern), prioritize the one that commands the month (gains the Month Order's qi) and consider its position in the Four Pillars.
7.  **Special Combinations**: If the Earthly Branches form a Three Harmony Bureau or a Three Combination Bureau without interruption from other branches, it can also be taken as a pattern, but it is usually considered a deviant pattern.

#### Success and Failure of Patterns

After establishing a pattern, its level must be judged—whether the pattern is complete or damaged. For example, for the Executive Pattern, check if there are two Executives on the Heavenly Stems (repeated official star), if there is a mixture of Executive and Warlord, or if the Month Branch suffers Punishment or Clash. Factors that damage patterns are numerous, and different texts have varying criteria, requiring in-depth analysis of the specific chart.

### Definition and Categories of BaZi Patterns

BaZi patterns are numerous, and different ancient texts often have differing definitions, especially regarding conditions for success and failure, making full unification difficult. Below are some common categories:

*   **Common Patterns (Regular Patterns / Eight Patterns)**: Defined by the Ten God represented by the Month Order, there are eight types: Mentor Pattern, Mystic Pattern, Talent Pattern, Maverick Pattern, Earner Pattern, Venturer Pattern, Executive Pattern, and Warlord Pattern. In the *True Insights into Zi Ping* (子平真诠), the Mentor and Mystic are not separated by Yin-Yang and are collectively called the Seal Pattern; similarly, Earner and Venturer are called the Wealth Pattern. Although Peer and Rival are not among these eight, they have independent pattern names, such as the Jian Lu Pattern and the Yang Ren (Blade) Pattern.
*   **Specialized Prosperity Patterns**: Occur when one of the Five Elements is exceptionally strong and prosperous in the BaZi, and other elements cannot balance it, forming a unique momentum pattern. Based on the dominant element, there are five types: Straight Wood Pattern (Wood), Rising Flame Pattern (Fire), Harvesting Earth Pattern (Earth), Metal Revolution Pattern (Metal), and Flowing Water Pattern (Water).
*   **Following Patterns**: Occur when the Day Master's elemental power is extremely weak or isolated, forcing it to follow the momentum of other strong elements in the BaZi. Common types include Following Wealth, Following Authority (Executive/Warlord), and Following Children (Talent/Maverick). There are also distinctions between \"True Following\" and \"False Following.\"
*   **Special Patterns**: Formed due to extreme imbalances in elemental power or unique combinations of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. Examples include the Following Children Pattern, Following Authority Pattern, Dragon on the Back of the Qilin Pattern (壬骑龙背格), and Well Fence Pattern (井栏叉格). The *Three Lives Comprehensive Guide* alone records dozens of such patterns. Although special patterns have many names, the vast majority of people's charts belong to common patterns; special patterns are relatively rare.

### List of Common Patterns

1.  **Executive Pattern (正官格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Month Pillar carries the Executive, preferably revealed on the Heavenly Stem, but hidden in the Branch is also acceptable. If the Hour Pillar also carries the Earner, forming Wealth and Authority in harmony, it is even better.
    *   **Example Chart**: Wu Yin, Xin You, Jia Chen, Wu Chen

2.  **Monthly Warlord Pattern (月上偏官格 / 七杀格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Heavenly Stem of the Month Pillar is the Warlord.
    *   **Example Chart**: Wu Yin, Gui Hai, Bing Shen, Wu Zi

3.  **Hourly Venturer Pattern (时上偏财格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Heavenly Stem of the Hour Pillar is the Venturer.
    *   **Example Chart**: Xin You, Yi Wei, Yi Hai, Ji Mao

4.  **Single Noble in the Hour (时上一位贵)**
    *   **Definition**: Only the Hour Pillar has a single Warlord or Venturer; no other pillar has one.
    *   **Example Chart**: Yi Mao, Wu Yin, Bing Zi, Ren Chen

5.  **Mixed Qi Wealth and Authority Pattern (杂气财官格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Wealth or Authority stars are not obvious in the BaZi but are hidden within the four Earthly Branches of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei (the four tombs).
    *   **Example Chart**: Bing Chen, Xin Chou, Jia Xu, Ji Si

6.  **Seal Pattern (印绶格)**
    *   **Definition**: The presence of the Seal star on the Heavenly Stems or Earthly Branches forms the pattern; it is better if in the Month Pillar.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The presence of the Earner or Venturer in the Four Pillars, as wealth damages the seal.
    *   **Example Chart**: Gui Wei, Yi Mao, Bing Zi, Gui Si

7.  **Mixed Qi Seal Pattern (杂气印绶格)**
    *   **Definition**: Born in the Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei months, when no other pattern can be taken, the Seal star hidden in the Month Stem is revealed to assist the Day Master.
    *   **Example Chart**: Wu Chen, Ren Xu, Geng Zi, Ren Wu

8.  **Combined Salary Pattern (合禄格)**
    *   **Definition**: Wu Day or Gui Day, born in the Geng Shen hour; for Wu Day, the chart must not see Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Gui, Yin, or Si; for Gui Day, the chart must not see Jia, Bing, Ding, Wu, Yin, or Si.
    *   **Example Chart**: Yi You, Gui Wei, Gui Wei, Geng Shen

9.  **Returning Salary Pattern (归禄格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Earthly Branch of the Hour Pillar is the Salary position of the Day Master's Heavenly Stem (e.g., Jia's Salary is in Yin, so Jia Day with Yin hour).
    *   **Failure Condition**: The presence of any Executive or Warlord star in the Four Pillars.
    *   **Example Chart**: Wu Xu, Jia Yin, Ding Mao, Bing Wu

10. **Arching Salary Pattern (拱禄格)**
    *   **Definition**: Only possible for five specific days: Ding Si day with Ding Wei hour; Ji Wei day with Ji Si hour; Wu Chen day with Wu Wu hour; Gui Chou day with Gui Hai hour; Gui Hai day with Gui Chou hour.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The chart, Luck Cycle, or Annual Cycle sees the Salary position that is being \"arched\" (filled in).
    *   **Example Chart**: Jia Zi, Gui You, Wu Chen, Wu Wu

11. **Arching Noble Pattern (拱贵格)**
    *   **Definition**: Only possible for six specific days with specific hours: Jia Yin day with Jia Zi hour; Ren Zi day with Ren Yin hour; Jia Shen day with Jia Xu hour; Wu Shen day with Wu Wu hour; Yi Wei day with Yi You hour; Xin Chou day with Xin Mao hour.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The chart, Luck Cycle, or Annual Cycle sees the Authority star that is being \"arched\" (filled in).
    *   **Example Chart**: Jia Wu, Wu Chen, Wu Shen, Wu Wu

12. **Yi Si Rat Noble Pattern (乙巳鼠贵格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Stem is Yi, and the Hour Branch is Zi. Yi Si and Yi Hai days are best; Yi Wei is next; Yi You and Yi Chou are lower. More Zi water increases the nobility.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Earthly Branches see Wu (clashing Zi), Chou (combining Zi), or Mao (punishing Zi).
    *   **Example Chart**: Jia Yin, Wu Chen, Yi Hai, Bing Zi

13. **Six Yi Rat Noble Pattern (六乙鼠贵格)**
    *   **Definition**: Six Yi days (Yi Chou, Yi Mao, Yi Si, Yi Wei, Yi You, Yi Hai) born in the Bing Zi hour, with no Executive or Warlord in the chart, and the Zi noble without clash.
    *   **Example Chart**: Jia Zi, Wu Chen, Yi Hai, Bing Zi

14. **Well Fence Pattern (井栏叉格)**
    *   **Definition**: Specifically for Geng Zi, Geng Shen, and Geng Chen days, where the Earthly Branches contain Shen, Zi, and Chen completely. Having three Geng is even better.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Heavenly Stems see Bing or Ding (Authority), Wu or Ji (controlling Water, except Wu Zi and Wu Chen), or Ren or Gui (excessive Talent/Maverick); the Earthly Branches see Si, Yin, Wu, Xu, or Wei.
    *   **Example Chart**: Wu Zi, Geng Shen, Geng Shen, Geng Chen

15. **Flying Sky Salary and Horse Pattern (飞天禄马格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Pillar is Geng Zi or Ren Zi, with at least three \"Zi\" in the Four Pillars; or the Day Pillar is Xin Hai or Gui Hai, with at least three \"Hai\" in the Four Pillars.
    *   **Example Chart**: Ren Zi, Ren Zi, Ren Zi, Ren Yin

16. **Six Yin Welcoming the Sun Pattern (六阴朝阳格)**
    *   **Definition**: Six Xin days (Xin Wei, Xin Si, Xin Mao, Xin Chou, Xin Hai, Xin You) born in the Wu Zi hour, with no Executive or Warlord in the Four Pillars.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Year, Month, or Day sees Bing, Ding, Zi, Si, or Wu.
    *   **Example Chart**: Ji Wei, Xin Wei, Xin Wei, Wu Zi

17. **Dragon on the Back of the Qilin Pattern (壬骑龙背格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Pillar is Ren Chen, with no Wu or Ji Earth (Authority) in the Four Pillars. It prefers many Chen and Yin. If the Self is strong, it likes Jia and Yi Wood.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Heavenly Stems see Ji (Executive), Wu (Warlord), or Bing and Ding (Wealth); the Earthly Branches avoid Xu (clashing Chen), Ding combining with Ren, Yi as Maverick, and Si or Wu.
    *   **Example Chart**: Ren Zi, Wu Shen, Ren Chen, Ren Yin

18. **Punishment Harmony Pattern (刑合格)**
    *   **Definition**: Six Gui days born in the Jia Yin hour. Yin punishes Si, revealing Wu Earth, giving Gui Day its Authority star.
    *   **Failure Condition**: Avoid Geng clashing Jia and Shen clashing Yin; avoid seeing Wu (visible Authority star) and Si (Authority's Salary position).
    *   **Example Chart**: Jia Xu, Jia Xu, Gui You, Jia Yin

19. **Zi Remote Si Pattern (子遥巳格)**
    *   **Definition**: Both the Day Pillar and Hour Pillar are Jia Zi.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Heavenly Stems reveal Geng or Xin; avoid seeing Bing; the Earthly Branches avoid Chou, Wu, and Si.
    *   **Example Chart**: Geng Zi, Ji Mao, Jia Zi, Jia Zi

20. **Chou Remote Si Pattern (丑遥巳格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Pillar is Xin Chou or Gui Chou, with many Chou in the Four Pillars.
    *   **Failure Condition**: For Xin Chou day, avoid Bing and Ding on the Heavenly Stems; for Gui Chou day, avoid Ding, Wu, and Ji on the Heavenly Stems; the Earthly Branches avoid Si and Wu.
    *   **Example Chart**: Xin Chou, Xin Chou, Xin Chou, Geng Yin

21. **Inverted Clash Pattern (倒冲格)**
    *   **Definition**: No Authority star in the Four Pillars. For Bing day in the Wu month or Ding day in the Si month, Wu or Si clashes out the Authority star.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The pillars see Ren, Gui, Hai, or Zi (Authority); for Bing day, it likes seeing Shen or Chen but avoids Wei; for Ding day, avoid Chen and Shen.
    *   **Example Chart**: Ding Mao, Bing Wu, Bing Wu, Xin Mao

22. **Six Jia Approaching the Qian Pattern (六甲趋干格)**
    *   **Definition**: Six Jia days born in the Yi Hai hour, with two or more Hai in the Earthly Branches.
    *   **Failure Condition**: No specific failure conditions.
    *   **Example Chart**: Wu Chen, Gui Hai, Jia Zi, Yi Hai

23. **Six Ren Approaching the Gen Pattern (六壬趋艮格)**
    *   **Definition**: Six Ren days born in the Ren Yin hour, with Ren Yin and Ren Chen days as standard, and two or more Yin in the Earthly Branches.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The original chart or the Luck Cycle/Annual Cycle avoids Hai water filling in.
    *   **Example Chart**: Gui You, Jia Zi, Ren Yin, Ren Yin

24. **Straight Wood Pattern (曲直格 / Wood Specialized Prosperity)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Stem is Jia or Yi Wood, born in spring, with Earthly Branches forming a Wood Bureau (Yin Mao Chen or Hai Mao Wei), and no Geng, Xin, Shen, or You Metal in the Four Pillars.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Four Pillars see any Metal element Heavenly Stem or Earthly Branch.
    *   **Example Chart**: Jia Chen, Bing Yin, Yi Mao, Gui Wei

25. **Rising Flame Pattern (炎上格 / Fire Specialized Prosperity)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Stem is Bing or Ding Fire, born in the Si or Wu month, with Earthly Branches forming a Fire Bureau (Yin Wu Xu or Si Wu Wei), and no Ren, Gui, Hai, or Zi Water in the Four Pillars.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Four Pillars see any Water element Heavenly Stem or Earthly Branch.
    *   **Example Chart**: Ding Si, Bing Wu, Ding Mao, Bing Wu

26. **Harvesting Earth Pattern (稼穑格 / Earth Specialized Prosperity)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Stem is Wu or Ji Earth, born in the Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei months, with many Earthly Branches or all four tombs present, the Earth star revealed on the Heavenly Stem, and no Wood or Water breaking the pattern.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Four Pillars see any Wood or Water element Heavenly Stem or Earthly Branch.
    *   **Example Chart**: Bing Xu, Wu Xu, Ji Wei, Wu Chen

27. **Metal Revolution Pattern (从革格 / Metal Specialized Prosperity)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Stem is Geng or Xin Metal, born in autumn, or with Earthly Branches forming a Metal Bureau (Shen You Xu, Si You Chou, etc.).
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Four Pillars see any Water or Fire element Heavenly Stem or Earthly Branch.
    *   **Example Chart**: Geng Shen, Jia Shen, Xin You, Wu Xu

28. **Flowing Water Pattern (润下格 / Water Specialized Prosperity)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Stem is Ren or Gui Water, born in winter, with Earthly Branches forming a Water Bureau (Shen Zi Chen) or all Hai Zi Chou.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Four Pillars see any Earth or Wood element Heavenly Stem or Earthly Branch.
    *   **Example Chart**: Ji Chou, Bing Zi, Gui Hai, Gui Hai

29. **Gou Chen Attaining Position Pattern (勾陈得位格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Stem is Wu or Ji Earth, with the Sitting Branch being Wealth, Authority, or Seal (Wu Yin, Wu Chen, Wu Zi, Wu Shen, Ji Mao, Ji Hai, Ji Wei — seven days).
    *   **Failure Condition**: No specific failure conditions.
    *   **Example Chart**: Jia Chen, Bing Zi, Wu Shen, Yi Mao

30. **Xuan Wu Holding Power Pattern (玄武当权格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Day Stem is Ren or Gui Water, with the Sitting Branch being Wealth, Authority, or Seal (Ren Yin, Ren Wu, Ren Xu, Ren Chen, Gui Si, Gui Chou, Gui Wei — seven days).
    *   **Failure Condition**: No specific failure conditions.
    *   **Example Chart**: Bing Xu, Geng Yin, Ren Wu, Xin Hai

31. **Day Virtue and Elegance Pattern (日德秀气格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Four Pillars' Heavenly Stems have three Yi, and the Earthly Branches have Si, You, and Chou completely. The Day Pillar being Bing Zi, Ren Wu, Xin Mao, or Ding You is even better.
    *   **Failure Condition**: No specific failure conditions.
    *   **Example Chart**: Yi Chou, Xin Si, Yi Chou, Yi You

32. **Fortune and Virtue Pattern (福德格)**
    *   **Definition**: Born on a Yin Heavenly Stem day (Yi, Ding, Ji, Xin, Gui), with the Day Branch being Si, You, or Chou.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The original chart and Luck Cycle/Annual Cycle avoid Bing, Ding, Yin, Wu, and Xu.
    *   **Example Chart**: Gui Si, Jia Zi, Ding You, Jia Chen

33. **Maverick Generating Wealth Pattern (伤官生财格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Four Pillars have both the Maverick and the Earner, with no other Ten God severely restricting them.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The Heavenly Stem reveals the Executive, forming Maverick Seeing Executive.
    *   **Example Chart**: Geng Shen, Ji Chou, Bing Wu, Ding You

34. **Maverick Carrying Warlord Pattern (伤官带杀格)**
    *   **Definition**: The BaZi has a strong Maverick, with a Warlord or two or more Authority stars opposing it, and no Seal star to transform the Warlord.
    *   **Failure Condition**: The presence of a Seal star to transform the Warlord.
    *   **Example Chart**: Gui Si, Gui Hai, Xin Hai, Gui Si

35. **Year Virtue Supporting Wealth Pattern (岁德扶财格)**
    *   **Definition**: The Year