As a classic work in traditional Chinese culture, the Book of Changes has deeply influenced the development of fortune telling. However, strictly speaking, the "Eight Character Measurement Method" belongs to the category of Four Pillar Destiny (also known as Eight Character Destiny) and is not directly derived from the Book of Changes itself. However, the theoretical basis of the Eight Character Measurement Method is closely related to the philosophical ideas of Yin Yang, Five Elements, and the unity of heaven and man in the Book of Changes. The following is a basic introduction to the Eight Characters measurement method:

1. Core Concepts of the Eight Character Measurement Method

Bazi, also known as the "Four Pillars Bazi", is a destiny analysis system composed of the heavenly stems and earthly branches corresponding to a person's birth time (year, month, day, hour).. Each pillar is composed of a heavenly stem and an earthly branch, with a total of eight characters in the four pillars, hence the name "Bazi".

  • Four pillars:

    • Year Pillar: The heavenly stem and earthly branch of the year of birth (representing ancestral legacy, parents, childhood).
    • Moon Column: the heavenly stems and earthly branches of the birth month (representing brothers, sisters and youth fortune).
    • Sun Pillar: The heavenly stem and earthly branch on one's birthday (the daily stem represents oneself, and the daily branch represents one's spouse).
    • Time Pillar: The heavenly stem and earthly branch at the time of birth (representing the fortune of children and later years).

  • Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches:

    • Heavenly Stems: A, B, C, D, W, J, G, Xin, Ren, Gui (a total of 10).
    • Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai (a total of 12).
    • The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are combined into 60 Jiazi (such as Jiazi, Yichou, etc.), used to mark time.

II. Analysis Logic of the Eight Character Measurement Method

  1. The Five Elements give rise to restraint:

    • The heavenly stems and earthly branches in the Eight Characters correspond to the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth). By analyzing the relationship between the rise and fall, balance, and generation and restraint of the five elements (such as mutual generation: wood generates fire; mutual restraint: metal restrains wood), the auspiciousness and inauspiciousness of the destiny can be determined.

  2. The Ten Gods System:

    • According to the relationship between the daily stem and other branches, define the "Ten Gods" (shoulder to shoulder, robbery of wealth, food god, injury of officials, legitimate wealth, illegitimate wealth, legitimate officials, seven killings, legitimate seals, illegitimate seals) to analyze interpersonal relationships, career and financial fortune.

  3. Using God and Avoiding God:

    • Using God: The five elements that are most needed in destiny, able to harmonize and balance the Eight Characters..
    • Avoid God: The five elements that are detrimental to the destiny should be resolved or avoided..

  4. Universiade and Flowing Years:

    • Universiade: Every ten years is a fortune, reflecting the ups and downs of fortune at different stages of life..
    • Flowing Year: The impact of each year's main and branch on the destiny, combined with the analysis of the specific year's good or bad luck based on the big luck.

III. Application of the Eight Character Measurement Method

  1. Analysis of Personality and Destiny: Use the Eight Characters to determine personal personality traits, talent potential, and life trajectory..
  2. Marriage Match: Analyze whether two people's birth chart matches (such as "married").
  3. Choose good luck and avoid bad luck: Choose a favorable time (such as getting married or starting a business) or adjust your fortune (such as feng shui or changing your name).
  4. Health and Disaster Prediction: Inferring potential health problems or risks through the imbalance of the Five Elements..

4. Eight character layout method

  1. Check the perpetual calendar: Determine the stem and branch corresponding to the year, month, day, and hour of birth..
    • Note: The months and hours should be divided according to the solar terms (such as the beginning of the year as' Lichun ', not the first day of the lunar calendar).
  2. Arrange the four pillars: Arrange the main branches of the year, month, day, and hour in sequence..
  3. Starting the Universiade: Calculate the starting time of the Universiade based on gender and birth time..
  4. Analyze destiny: Combine the five elements, ten gods, and divine evil to make a comprehensive judgment..

V. Disputes and Precautions

  • Scientificity: The Eight character measurement method belongs to the experience summary in traditional culture, lacking modern scientific verification, and needs to be viewed rationally..
  • Individual Differences: People with the same birth chart may have vastly different fates due to factors such as environmental influences and personal choices..
  • Ethical boundary: Avoid superstition or excessive reliance on fortune telling predictions, and combine practical efforts with rational decision-making..

VI. Simple Cases

Assuming someone was born on March 15, 2000 at 10:00 am (needs to be converted to the lunar calendar and checked for solar terms): -Year Pillar: Gengchen (2000 is the year of Gengchen) -Moon Pillar: Ji Mao (the second month of the lunar calendar is Mao month, and the heavenly stems are for oneself) -Sun Column: Need to check the perpetual calendar, assuming it is Bingyin Day -Time column: Gui Si (10 o'clock is Si Shi, Tian Gan is Gui) -Bazi: Geng Chen Ji Mao Bing Yin Gui Si
-Analysis: Ri Gan Bing Huo is born in Mao Yue (Wood and Fire phase), and it depends on whether the five elements are balanced and the relationship between the ten gods.

The eight character measurement system is complex and requires long-term learning and practice. If interested, it is recommended to combine ancient books such as "San Ming Tong Hui" and "Yuan Hai Zi Ping", and use modern tools to assist in inventory analysis.