Learn BaZi basics
Short guides to pillars, solar terms, clashes, and the Ten Gods. Everything you need to make sense of your FatePrint.
BaZi in 5 minutes
BaZi (Four Pillars of Destiny) maps your birth year, month, day, and hour to four 'pillars.' Each pillar has a Stem and Branch (e.g. 甲子). The system uses a 60-cycle calendar tied to solar terms and the traditional year start (Li Chun), not January 1. Your chart is set at birth; what changes is the 'weather,' the current year, month, and day.
What is a pillar?
A pillar is one of four columns: Year, Month, Day, Hour. Each has a Stem (10 symbols) and a Branch (12 symbols). The Day pillar's Stem is your 'Day Master,' the core of your chart. The Month pillar follows solar terms; the Year starts at Li Chun (around Feb 4), not Jan 1. FatePrint shows all four and uses them for elements, your favorable element, and the Ten Gods.
Why solar terms?
BaZi uses the sun, not the regular calendar. 24 solar terms split the year by the sun's position. Li Chun (立春), around Feb 4, starts the BaZi year. Months are defined by these terms. FatePrint uses them so your pillars and timing are accurate.
What is a clash (or combine)?
Certain branch pairs 'clash' (tension or change) or 'combine' (support). When the current year's branch clashes with your day branch, the year is often read as more dynamic or intense; when it combines, more supportive. FatePrint shows whether this year or a given day clashes or combines with your chart.
What are the Ten Gods?
The Ten Gods (十神) are themes or roles each pillar plays relative to your Day Master (e.g. authority, wealth, creativity). They describe how you tend to relate to power, money, creativity, and conflict. FatePrint turns them into modern language in your Identity and Life Facets sections.
Relationship comparison (Synastry)
The Day Branch is sometimes called the 'Spouse Palace.' It's the part of the chart that reflects relationships. When the year (or another person's chart) clashes with that branch, it can point to tension or change; when it combines, to support. FatePrint's Synastry tool compares two charts: where you clash or combine, how your elements interact, and relationship timing.