Introduction to BaZi Patterns

Chart patterns (Geju) do not assign good/bad verdicts or social rank; they describe the primary structural relationship around which a chart is organized. Traditional Pattern methodology typically begins with the Month Command hidden stems and their revelation, assessing supporting elements (Xiang Shen), constraints, disruptions, and remedies. A pattern name is an analytical starting point, not a direct conversion into career, income, or life outcomes.

What to Check Before Determining a Pattern

1. Whether the Month Branch follows the correct solar term month, and which hidden stems table is used;
2. Whether the Month Command's primary, middle, or residual qi is revealed in the Heavenly Stems;
3. Whether the revealed stem is rooted and in season, and what Ten God relationship it forms with the Day Master;
4. Whether multiple candidate relationships exist and how primary vs. secondary status is established;
5. Whether Establish Prosperity (Jianlu), Month Robbery (Yuejie), or special patterns meet their distinct criteria.

If the Four Pillars, Month Command, or Ten Gods have not been verified, return first to Hidden Stems & Month Command and the Ten Gods System rather than reasoning backwards from a pattern name.

Common Standard Patterns

The Ten Gods relationships formed between Month Command and Day Master are traditionally summarized as:

Why Establish Prosperity and Month Robbery Are Listed Separately

When the Month Command represents the Day Master's Thriving (Lin Guan) or Peak (Di Wang) phase, the Month Command shares the Day Master's own element. Because it does not fall into the eight external Ten Gods relationships, it is categorized separately as Establish Prosperity (Jianlu) or Month Robbery (Yuejie). Analysis still requires observing whether Wealth, Officer, Food, or Hurting can function, whether Resource and Companions are excessive, and how circulation is achieved.

Evaluating Pattern Fulfillment and Disruption

Taking the Direct Officer Pattern as an example, the mere presence of Direct Officer does not constitute a fulfilled pattern, nor does it guarantee high status. One must evaluate:

1. Whether the Month Command truly establishes the pattern;
2. Whether the core Ten God is revealed, rooted, and potent;
3. Whether supporting elements (Xiang Shen) assist the pattern's operation;
4. Whether clashes, overcoming, or mixed elements disrupt the pattern;
5. Whether remedies emerge when disruption occurs;
6. Whether luck cycles maintain or alter the structure.

Other standard patterns follow similar holistic evaluation. Terms like "fulfilled pattern" (Cheng Ge) or "broken pattern" (Po Ge) describe structural conditions, not judgments of personal worth.

Patterns and Strength Are Not Mutually Exclusive

Pattern methods focus on structural organization; Strength methods focus on energetic capacity; Seasonal Regulation focuses on temperature and moisture conditions. Practical analysis often consults all three, though textual traditions prioritize their order and define "Useful Gods" differently. When conclusions diverge, trace the disagreement to Month Command pattern selection, strength evaluation, seasonal priority, or combination rules, rather than claiming one school is universally correct.

Exercising Caution with Special Patterns

Special patterns—such as Follow Wealth, Follow Killings, Follow Output (Cong'er), Transformation (Huaqi), and One-Element Dominant patterns (Quzhi, Yanshang, Jiasi, Congge, Runxia)—require the entire chart to form an unmistakable directional flow, with strict constraints on Day Master roots, opposing forces, and seasonal support. Inferring a special pattern simply because one element is abundant or because an individual has a particular career easily leads to circular reasoning.

When evaluating special patterns, document both supporting evidence and disruption conditions; where compelling counter-evidence exists, preserve both standard and special interpretations rather than forcing a categorization.

Do Not Use Patterns to Rank Human Worth

Ancient case studies often measured status through imperial titles, civil examinations, wealth, and aristocratic lineage; directly applying these to modern professions and life journeys produces distortion. Patterns are valuable for understanding how traditional literature organized Ten Gods relationships; they should not be used to predetermine whether someone is suited for government, entrepreneurship, finance, or the arts, nor to rank people hierarchically.

Pattern viability is also shaped by stem-branch combinations; next read Combinations, Clashes, Punishments & Harms, and consult the Classics & Schools Map to compare textual emphases.