Detailed Explanation of the Principles of Eight Characters Fortune Telling

I. What is Eight Characters Fortune Telling

Eight Characters Fortune Telling, also known as Four Pillars Fortune Telling, is an important part of traditional Chinese fortune-telling. It is based on the four time units of a person's birth: year, month, day, and hour. Each time unit is represented by one Heavenly Stem and one Earthly Branch, making a total of eight characters, hence the name "Eight Characters."

II. Core Theoretical Foundations

1. Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches System

There are ten Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui
There are twelve Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai
The combination of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches forms the sixty-year Jiazi cycle, which constitutes the basic unit of time measurement.

2. The Theory of the Five Elements' Generation and Restraint

The Five Elements include: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth
Generating Relationships: Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood
Restraining Relationships: Wood restrains Earth, Earth restrains Water, Water restrains Fire, Fire restrains Metal, Metal restrains Wood
The relationships of generation, restraint, transformation, and balance among the Five Elements are the core basis for Eight Characters analysis.

3. The Ten Gods System

The Ten Gods are ten types of deities determined by the relationship between the Day Stem and other stems and branches:
- Compare Spirit, Rob Wealth (same category)
- Eat God, Hurt Officer (I generate)
- Direct Wealth, Partial Wealth (I restrain)
- Direct Officer, Seven Kill (restrain me)
- Direct Seal, Partial Seal (generate me)

III. Methods of Arranging the Eight Characters Chart

1. Determine the year, month, day, and hour of birth
2. Convert to the lunar calendar time
3. Find the corresponding Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches
4. Arrange the Four Pillars and Eight Characters
5. Determine the strength of the Day Master
6. Analyze the balance of the Five Elements

IV. Key Points of Fortune Analysis

1. Analysis of Day Master Strength

By analyzing the prosperity and decline of the Five Elements in the Eight Characters, the strength of the Day Master is determined. This is the foundation for identifying the Useful God and Taboo God.

2. Principles for Selecting the Useful God

Based on the strength of the Day Master and the balance of the Five Elements, select the element that can correct imbalances and remedy deficiencies as the Useful God. This is key to improving fortune.

3. Influence of Major Cycles and Yearly Fortune

Major Cycles are ten-year periods of changing fortune, while Yearly Fortune refers to annual changes. Both interact with the natal chart to form specific fortune trends.

V. Practical Application Value

Eight Characters Fortune Telling can not only help understand personal character traits and innate potential but also provide references for life planning, career choices, and marriage compatibility. However, it is important to note that fortune analysis should be combined with real-life circumstances and viewed rationally.