Yang-Liang-Chang-Lu and the Tian Liang Patterns
The Zi Wei pattern parents ask about most is probably Yang-Liang-Chang-Lu: the classics say it “tops the list”, the announcement of the imperial exam results. It has four parts, Tai Yang, Tian Liang, Wen Chang and a Lu. This page also covers two more Tian Liang patterns.
Yang-Liang-Chang-Lu
Conditions: Tai Yang, Tian Liang, Wen Chang and a Lu (Lu Cun or Hua Lu) all in the trines and opposite.
Sources: Complete Book, vol. 3: “Tian Liang, Tai Yang, Chang and Lu meeting: first on the list”; Complete Book, vol. 2: “Wen Chang meeting Yang, Liang and Lu Cun: wealth and office shine”
Tai Yang values reputation, Tian Liang integrity and seniority, Wen Chang writing and exams, Lu resources. Together: diligent, lucky in exams, concerned with reputation. Not necessarily a top student; what matters is putting that talent into something truly interesting.
The strict version needs Tai Yang and Tian Liang at Mao, a Yi year (Lu Cun at Mao) and Wen Chang at Mao too (a Wei-hour birth); in our sample it rounds to 0.0%, almost nonexistent. Others want Yang-Liang at Mao with Tai Yang Hua Lu or Lu Cun and Wen Chang in the same palace; the broad version (iztro and most modern sites) only needs all four in the trines and opposite. The Complete Book just says “meeting”. We use the broad version and mark Yang-Liang at Mao with Chang and Lu in the same palace as the full form.
In our sample about 4.5% of charts meet Yang-Liang-Chang-Lu.
Example chart: born 31 January 1960 in the Zi hour (a Geng-Zi year), Life Palace at Yin, no major star. Helpers in the trines and opposite: You Bi, Wen Chang, Lu Cun, Tai Yang Hua Lu. Sha stars, Hua Ji and dim stars: Huo Xing, Ling Xing, Tian Tong Hua Ji.
What it has to do with exams
Yang-Liang-Chang-Lu is often called the exam pattern, but what it describes is the willingness to prepare for one goal over a long time and a regard for reputation; exams are simply its most common outlet.
Benevolent Shelter
Conditions: Tian Ji with Tian Liang in the Life Palace at Chen or Xu.
Sources: Tai Wei Fu: “Benevolent shelter at court: the elder of kindness”; Complete Book, vol. 3: “Ji and Liang together are good at strategy; at Xu it is also fine”
Tian Ji plans and Tian Liang protects. Analytical, fond of reasoning, suited to roles that advise and mentor: consultant, adviser, teacher.
The palaces are agreed; also called Ji and Liang meeting.
In our sample about 1.4% of charts meet Benevolent Shelter.
Example chart: born 1 April 1960 in the Zi hour (a Geng-Zi year), Life Palace at Chen with Tian Ji and Tian Liang. Helpers in the trines and opposite: You Bi, Wen Chang, Wen Qu, Lu Cun, Tai Yin Hua Ke. Sha stars, Hua Ji and dim stars: Ling Xing, Tian Tong Hua Ji.
Longevity Star in Its Temple
Conditions: Tian Liang alone in the Life Palace at Wu.
What strengthens or breaks it: The Complete Book names Ding, Ji and Gui years.
Sources: Gu Sui Fu: “Liang at Wu: clear and distinguished in office”; Complete Book, vol. 3: “Tian Liang at Wu: distinguished at court (Ding, Ji and Gui people qualify)”
Tian Liang is strongest at Wu, opposite Tai Yang. Upright, steady, principled, with more reputation than profit. “Longevity star” is another name for Tian Liang; we read it only as a star name and make no claim about lifespan.
Most sources accept Wu only; one poem says Tian Liang is in its temple at Zi, Wu, Yin and Shen; one source’s condition “Tian Liang with Wen Qu” actually belongs to a different pattern.
In our sample about 0.9% of charts meet Longevity Star in Its Temple.
Example chart: born 2 April 1961 in the You hour (a Xin-Chou year), Life Palace at Wu with Tian Liang. Helpers in the trines and opposite: Tian Kui, Tian Yue, Tai Yang Hua Quan. Sha stars, Hua Ji and dim stars: Qing Yang, Huo Xing, Di Kong.
Myth: Yang-Liang-Chang-Lu guarantees passing exams.
A pattern describes tendencies. About 4.5% of charts meet the broad version; results still depend on preparation and timing.
Myth: the Longevity Star at Wu means a long life.
“Longevity star” is simply another name for Tian Liang. We read it as an upright, principled character and make no claim about lifespan.
Other patterns
A straight word: a pattern is a one-line summary, not the whole chart
The old books gave names to star combinations that are common and easy to spot; those names are the patterns. They help you grasp the outline of a chart quickly, but no chart is good or bad because of a pattern name. The same pattern with different helpers, Sha stars and transformations can lead to very different lives. This site gives the conditions, the classical sources and the personality tendencies only, never verdicts on wealth, status, health or lifespan. Everything here is for reference and entertainment.
Find the patterns in your chart
Enter your date and time of birth and we list every pattern your chart meets, the reason it qualifies, and the helpers and Sha stars around your Life Palace. Everything is calculated in your browser.
Yang-Liang-Chang-Lu: FAQ
What are the conditions for Yang-Liang-Chang-Lu?
Tai Yang, Tian Liang, Wen Chang, and Lu Cun or the birth-year Hua Lu, all in the Life Palace’s trines and opposite. The strict version wants Yang-Liang at Mao with Chang and Lu in the same palace.
Is it really an exam pattern?
The classics say it tops the examination list; we read it as a readiness to prepare long for one goal and a regard for reputation.
What is Benevolent Shelter?
Tian Ji with Tian Liang in the Life Palace at Chen or Xu, read as the analytical, advisory type.