What Is the Yi–Geng Combination in BaZi?
The Yi–Geng Combination is one of the five Stem combinations: Yi (yin Wood) and Geng (yang Metal) combine, transforming to Metal when ripe. Old-named the “Combination of Benevolence and Righteousness,” it tends toward a balance of firm and yielding, valuing benevolence and honor.
- Type
- a Stem combination (to Metal)
- The stems
- Yi (yin Wood) + Geng (yang Metal)
- Transforms to
- Metal
- Also called
- the Combination of Benevolence and Righteousness
1. What are the five Stem combinations?
The Heavenly Stems (Jia, Yi, Bing… the characters on the surface) combine, one yin and one yang, five pairs in all; Yi-Geng is one. When ripe, a Stem combination transforms into a new element: Yi-Geng to Metal.
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2. Transform, or not?
Yi-Geng combine; ripe conditions (enough Metal, a catalyst) transform them to Metal; short of that, “combined but not transformed,” just holding hands.
3. What Yi-Geng means
The “Combination of Benevolence and Righteousness”: Yi Wood yielding, Geng Metal firm, a balance of the two, tending to feeling and honor, principled, gentle outside and firm within. Those with it often carry a quiet backbone under a mild manner.
4. When is it triggered?
With Yi or Geng present, a Luck Pillar or year bringing the other stirs it: an alliance, a partnership, or a role being combined.
5. Example: a Yi Day Master next to Geng on the Month Stem
This is a made-up example for illustration, not a real person’s chart. Picture a man’s chart: Year Ren-Shen (壬申), Month Geng-Xu (庚戌), Day Yi-You (乙酉), Hour Gui-Wei (癸未). The Day Stem Yi Wood and Month Stem Geng Metal sit side by side, so Yi and Geng combine. Geng Metal is Yi’s Direct Officer, standing for duties, rules, and superiors. First, does it transform? This chart is born in a Xu month. Xu is Earth, so Metal does not command the month, and the transformed element is out of season; on top of that, Wei in the Hour Branch hides Yi Wood, so the Day Master has a root and will not give itself up to the transformation. Both conditions fail, so this is a combination without transformation (for the full conditions, see Transformation structure). The ample Metal of Shen and You in the Branches is a strong Officer, not a transformation to Metal. Combined but not transformed, Yi Wood is held by the Direct Officer, often showing as a sense of measure and keeping promises, and also a tendency to put duty ahead of your own needs. In a Yi or Geng year (such as 2030, Geng-Xu, or 2035, Yi-Mao), responsibilities at work come up more often.
Do you have a Yi–Geng Combination?
Whether Yi-Geng transforms, and which role it combines away, takes your full Four Pillars. Enter your birth date for a free chart.
FAQ
What do Yi and Geng combine into?
Into Metal. Yi yin Wood and Geng yang Metal combine and, when ripe, transform to Metal.
Is the Yi–Geng Combination good or bad?
Old-named the Combination of Benevolence and Righteousness, it leans to a firm-and-yielding balance, feeling and honor; still read whether it transformed and which role it combined away.
Does Yi-Geng always transform?
No. Only ripe conditions make it transform to Metal; short of that it is combined but not transformed.
How is a Yi–Geng Combination read?
Read whether it transformed and which role it combined away; the firm-and-yielding balance is its strength.
Related： Ten Day Masters · Ten Gods · Missing Element