BaZi Symbolic Stars Terms: Nobleman, Academic Star, Peach Blossom, Traveling Horse, the Void

Symbolic stars (shen sha) are markers of good or bad tendencies, found from the day stem, the year branch or the day branch. This group lists the stars covered on this site, each with its standard lookup.

Index of this group

23 terms

Symbolic stars 神煞: Symbolic stars are auspicious or ominous markers looked up from stem-and-branch combinations. They began as a mnemonic shorthand in the old almanacs and serve as supporting detail; no single star decides a life. Read more →
Nobleman 天乙貴人: The Nobleman (Tianyi) is the most honored helper star in BaZi, found from the day stem (and year stem): Jia/Wu/Geng see Chou or Wei; Yi/Ji see Zi or Shen; Bing/Ding see Hai or You; Ren/Gui see Mao or Si; Xin sees Yin or Wu. Read more →
Heavenly & Monthly Virtue 天德、月德: Heavenly & Monthly Virtue (Tiande, Yuede) are helper stars found from the month branch, usually as a stem (Heavenly Virtue sometimes as a branch). They stand for kindness and protection, and the classics treat them as stars that soften harm. Read more →
Academic Star 文昌: The Academic Star (Wenchang) stands for intelligence, study and writing. It is found from the day stem: Jia sees Si, Yi Wu, Bing/Wu Shen, Ding/Ji You, Geng Hai, Xin Zi, Ren Yin, Gui Mao. Read more →
Taiji Nobleman 太極貴人: The Taiji Nobleman is found from the day stem (and year stem): Jia/Yi see Zi, Wu; Bing/Ding Mao, You; Wu/Ji the four Earth branches; Geng/Xin Yin, Hai; Ren/Gui Si, Shen. It points to a studious mind drawn to philosophy and metaphysics. Read more →
Seal of State 國印貴人: The Seal of State (Guoyin) is found from the day stem (and year stem): Jia sees Xu, Yi Hai, Bing/Wu Chou, Ding/Ji Yin, Geng Chen, Xin Si, Ren Wei, Gui Shen. The classics link it to authority, honesty and keeping the rules. Read more →
Three Marvels 三奇貴人: The Three Marvels appear when a chart’s stems run Yi-Bing-Ding (Earth), Jia-Wu-Geng (Heaven) or Ren-Gui-Xin (Human) in order, usually across the year-month-day or month-day-hour stems. The classics credit them with rare talent and big ambitions. Read more →
Heavenly Pardon 天赦: Heavenly Pardon (Tianshe) pairs the season of the month branch with a day pillar: spring Wu-Yin, summer Jia-Wu, autumn Wu-Shen, winter Jia-Zi. A day pillar that fits carries the star; in date selection it marks a Heavenly Pardon day. Read more →
Prosperity Star 祿神: The Prosperity Star (Lushen) is the day stem’s Taking Office stage: Jia sees Yin, Yi Mao, Bing/Wu Si, Ding/Ji Wu, Geng Shen, Xin You, Ren Hai, Gui Zi. It stands for livelihood, income and footing; in the month branch it forms Jian Lu. Read more →
Yang Blade 羊刃: The Yang Blade (Yangren) is the Peak stage of a yang Day Master: Jia sees Mao, Bing/Wu Wu, Geng You, Ren Zi. It brings force, decisiveness and nerve, but also impulsiveness; schools differ on the blade of the yin stems. Read more →
Golden Carriage 金輿: The Golden Carriage (Jinyu) sits two places past the Prosperity Star: Jia sees Chen, Yi Si, Bing/Wu Wei, Ding/Ji Shen, Geng Xu, Xin Hai, Ren Chou, Gui Yin. The classics link it to comfort, standing and a supportive partner. Read more →
General Star 將星: The General Star (Jiangxing) comes from the three-harmony group of the year or day branch: Shen-Zi-Chen sees Zi, Yin-Wu-Xu Wu, Si-You-Chou You, Hai-Mao-Wei Mao. It is the group’s middle branch, tied in the classics to command and leadership. Read more →
Canopy 華蓋: The Canopy (Huagai) comes from the three-harmony group of the year or day branch: Shen-Zi-Chen sees Chen, Yin-Wu-Xu Xu, Si-You-Chou Chou, Hai-Mao-Wei Wei. It points to a bright, aloof mind with a pull toward art, religion and metaphysics. Read more →
Traveling Horse 驛馬: The Traveling Horse (Yima) comes from the three-harmony group of the year or day branch: Shen-Zi-Chen sees Yin, Yin-Wu-Xu Shen, Si-You-Chou Hai, Hai-Mao-Wei Si. It stands for movement, relocation, travel away from home and change. Read more →
Peach Blossom 桃花: Peach Blossom, also called Xianchi, comes from the three-harmony group of the year or day branch: Shen-Zi-Chen sees You, Yin-Wu-Xu Mao, Si-You-Chou Wu, Hai-Mao-Wei Zi. It stands for charm, likability and romantic appeal. Read more →
Red Phoenix & Happiness 紅鸞、天喜: Red Phoenix & Happiness (Hongluan, Tianxi) are celebration stars found from the year branch: Red Phoenix counts backward from Mao (Zi year Mao, Chou year Yin…), and Happiness sits opposite it. They stand for marriage, celebrations and new children. Read more →
Red Passion 紅艷: Red Passion (Hongyan) is found from the day stem: Jia sees Wu, Yi Shen, Bing Yin, Ding Wei, Wu/Ji Chen, Geng Xu, Xin You, Ren Zi, Gui Shen. It points to flair, warmth and romantic appeal; schools differ slightly on the lookup. Read more →
Lonely & Widow Stars 孤辰、寡宿: The Lonely & Widow Stars come from the seasonal group of the year branch: Hai-Zi-Chou sees Yin and Xu, Yin-Mao-Chen Si and Chou, Si-Wu-Wei Shen and Chen, Shen-You-Xu Hai and Wei; the first is Lonely, the second Widow, both solitary. Read more →
The Void 空亡: The Void (Kongwang) is the pair of branches left without a stem in the ten-day cycle (xun) that holds the day pillar. A year, month or hour branch that lands on them is void: it reads as falling empty, present yet absent. Read more →
Kui Gang 魁罡: Kui Gang is a special day pillar: Geng-Chen, Geng-Xu, Ren-Chen or Wu-Xu. It suggests a sharp, decisive, forceful character with leadership; the classics add that it dislikes meeting Wealth and Officer and fears clashes and punishments. Read more →
Robbery & Void Spirit 劫煞、亡神: Robbery & Void Spirit (Jiesha, Wangshen) both come from the three-harmony group of the year or day branch: Robbery at the group element’s Extinction stage, Void Spirit at its Taking Office stage. The classics tie them to outside loss and inner strain. Read more →
Yin-Yang Mismatch 陰差陽錯: Yin-Yang Mismatch is a set of twelve day pillars: Bing-Zi, Ding-Chou, Wu-Yin, Xin-Mao, Ren-Chen, Gui-Si, Bing-Wu, Ding-Wei, Wu-Shen, Xin-You, Ren-Xu and Gui-Hai. The classics say it brings a bumpy marriage and strained in-law ties. Read more →
Ten Evils Great Defeat 十惡大敗: Ten Evils Great Defeat is a set of ten day pillars, Jia-Chen, Yi-Si, Bing-Shen, Ding-Hai, Wu-Xu, Ji-Chou, Geng-Chen, Xin-Si, Ren-Shen and Gui-Hai, whose Prosperity Star falls in their own Void. The classics say money is hard to hold. Read more →

Other groups

BasicsBaZi, Four Pillars, stems and branches, yin-yang, Five Elements, Day Master Chart Casting & CalendarHow the pillars are cast, solar terms, true solar time, the Zi hour, Conception Pillar Ten Gods & CombinationsFriend to Direct Resource, plus seven classic pairings Strength & Favorable ElementsStrong or weak, favorable elements, climate, twelve life stages Chart StructuresThe eight regular structures, Jian Lu, follow, transformation, dominant Stem & Branch RelationsCombine, meet, clash, punish, harm, break, arch; stem combinations Luck Pillars & Annual LuckLuck pillars, annual and monthly pillars, Tai Sui, San Yuan Jiu Yun Life AreasWealth, family, study, marriage, career, partnerships

About this glossary

Every definition is taken from the one-line definition on the matching page of this site, so when a page is updated, the glossary follows; only terms without their own page are written here. Usage varies a little between schools; this site follows the Zi Ping BaZi usage common in Taiwan. Everything here is for reference and entertainment only.

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BaZi symbolic stars terms FAQ

What does “Symbolic stars” mean in BaZi?

Symbolic stars are auspicious or ominous markers looked up from stem-and-branch combinations. They began as a mnemonic shorthand in the old almanacs and serve as supporting detail; no single star decides a life.

What does “Nobleman” mean in BaZi?

The Nobleman (Tianyi) is the most honored helper star in BaZi, found from the day stem (and year stem): Jia/Wu/Geng see Chou or Wei; Yi/Ji see Zi or Shen; Bing/Ding see Hai or You; Ren/Gui see Mao or Si; Xin sees Yin or Wu.

What does “Heavenly & Monthly Virtue” mean in BaZi?

Heavenly & Monthly Virtue (Tiande, Yuede) are helper stars found from the month branch, usually as a stem (Heavenly Virtue sometimes as a branch). They stand for kindness and protection, and the classics treat them as stars that soften harm.

What does “Academic Star” mean in BaZi?

The Academic Star (Wenchang) stands for intelligence, study and writing. It is found from the day stem: Jia sees Si, Yi Wu, Bing/Wu Shen, Ding/Ji You, Geng Hai, Xin Zi, Ren Yin, Gui Mao.