The combinations of Ba Zi (八字) structures exceed 500,000. Among these numerous structures, predecessors in the field of fate analysis identified certain regular characteristics through analysis, categorizing and naming them as Ba Zi Ge Ju (八字格局), also known as Ming Ge (命格). For example, if a Ba Zi chart contains both "Shang Guan (伤官)" and "Zheng Yin (正印)" among the Ten Gods, this combination can be called "Shang Guan Pei Yin (伤官配印)" Ge. Some of these classifications are based on special combinations of Di Zhi (地支); others are based on the Shen Sha (神煞) content contained in Gan Zhi (干支); some are categorized from the perspective of imagery, forming specific "images"; and others are classified according to the relationships of Gan Zhi Xing Chong Hui He (刑冲会合).

How to Determine Ge?

In the history of Ba Zi fate analysis, there is a little-known figure named Mr. Xi Shan Yi Jian (西山易鉴). He is a significant figure in the development of fate analysis and was the first to create the theory of six Ge. In "Yuan Hai Zi Ping (渊海子平)", "Bao Fa Di Yi (宝法第一)" and "Bao Fa Di Er (宝法第二)" record it as follows:

Zi Ping's method focuses on the Ri Gan (日干) as the main element, and takes the object used by the Ti Gang (提纲) as the order. Next, it considers the Nian Yue Shi Zhi (年月时支) to express its origin. All Ge use the Yue Ling (月令) Ti Gang, not seeking the Nian Ri Shi as Ge. Many people today do not know this method, resulting in numerous errors. Mr. Xi Shan Yi Jian adapted it, dividing the ten Ge into six Ge as the main ones: Guan (官), Yin (印), Cai (财), Sha (杀), Shi Shen (食神), and Shang Guan (伤官), and applied them without fail. The method states: when encountering Guan, look at Cai; when encountering Sha, look at Yin; when encountering Yin, look at Guan. This profound and untransmitted method takes the four without bias, with Sheng Ke Zhi Hua (生克制化) encountering Po Xiu Qiu (破休囚) as the lower fortune. There is birth and departure, assistance and blessing, stripping and misfortune. The principle is profound and long-lasting, most suitable for detailed and appropriate analysis, not obscured by mediocre techniques, and should be thoroughly studied and diligently practiced.

Zi Ping's method takes the Ri as the main focus, first looking at the Ti Gang as the priority, then using the Nian Ri Shi Zhi to form the Ge Ju, only then can it be judged. All use the Yue Ling as the basis, not using the Nian to determine Ge. When analyzing Zi Ping's numbers, if the Ge is not determined, nine out of ten will be wrong. Only Mr. Yi Jian's method uses Jin (金) only when Yue Ling uses Jin, and uses Huo (火) only when Yue Ling uses Huo. When there is a lot of Shui (水) in Ba Zi, it takes Shui, not Huo, which is incorrect. By using the method to judge, most are mistaken. Xi Shan Yi Jian penetrated the mystery, taking six Ge as the main ones among the eighteen Ge of fortune and misfortune, using mutual generation. The Ge is determined and the Ju is formed, still using the Nian Ri Shi to weigh the lightness and depth, without any error. The six Ge method states: when encountering Guan, look at Cai; when encountering Cai, look at Sha; when encountering Sha, look at Yin; when encountering Yin, look at Guan.

The method of determining Ge Ju does not have a unified standard, and different ancient texts have slightly different discussions. This system follows the discussion in "San Ming Tong Hui (三命通会)", mainly determining Ge Ju in the following way:

Determining Ge Ju by the Yue Ling Di Zhi

Look at what Ben Qi (本气), Zhong Qi (中气), and Yu Qi (余气) are hidden in the Yue Ling Di Zhi. For example, if the Ri Zhu (日主) is Jia Mu (甲木) and is born in Shen Yue (申月), the Tian Gan (天干) hidden in Shen (申) are Geng (庚), Ren (壬), and Wu (戊).

Check if the Tian Gan is Revealed (Tian Tou Di Cang 天透地藏)

Check which Tian Gan hidden in the Yue Ling Di Zhi is revealed, and determine the Ge Ju in the order of Ben Qi, Zhong Qi, and Yu Qi. If Geng is revealed, it is a Qi Sha Ge (七杀格); if Ren is revealed, it is a Pian Yin Ge (偏印格). Except for Bi Jie (比劫), the other eight Ten Gods can all be used as Ge Ju.

Common Ge Determination Order

1. The Gan hidden in the Yue Zhi is revealed in the Yue Zhu Tian Gan, which is the first priority.
2. If the Gan hidden in the Yue Zhi is not revealed in the Yue Gan but is revealed in the Nian or Shi Zhu Tian Gan, it is the second priority.
3. If the Gan hidden in the Yue Zhi is not revealed, then the Yue Zhu Tian Gan sitting on the root with the Nian, Ri, Shi Di Zhi is the third priority.
4. In addition to the above three situations, as long as there is a Ten God revealed in the Tian Tou Di Cang, it is a Ge Ju.
5. If two Ge Ju exist simultaneously, and they are of the same Wu Xing (五行), it is considered a Pian Ge (偏格). (For example, if Zheng Guan Ge (正官格) and Qi Sha Ge (七杀格) exist simultaneously, it is considered Qi Sha Ge)
6. If two Ge Ju exist simultaneously, such as Shi Shen Ge (食神格) and Qi Sha Ge, the one in command is prioritized, and the order of the four pillars is considered.
7. If the Di Zhi forms San Hui San He (三会三合) without separation, it can be taken as Ge, but they are all Pian Ge.

Formation and Breaking of Ge

After determining the Ge Ju, it is necessary to assess the level of the Ge Ju, that is, whether the Ge Ju is damaged. For example, for Zheng Guan Ge, whether there are two Zheng Guan in the Tian Gan, whether Guan Sha are mixed, and whether there is Xing Chong in the Yue Ling Di Zhi. These elements of breaking Ge are numerous, and the standards mentioned in various texts are not uniform, so one must analyze and judge them independently.

Definition and Classification of Ba Zi Ming Ge

There are many types of Ba Zi Ge Ju, and different ancient texts do not completely agree on the definitions of Ge Ju, especially when it comes to the conditions for forming and breaking Ge, which often have different interpretations, making it difficult to unify. Below are some common definitions:

Ordinary Ge: Defined by the Ten Gods represented by the Yue Ling, there are eight Ge in total, namely Zheng Yin Ge, Pian Yin Ge, Shi Shen Ge, Shang Guan Ge, Zheng Cai Ge, Pian Cai Ge, Zheng Guan Ge, and Qi Sha Ge. In the book "Zi Ping Zhen Quan", Zheng Pian Yin and Zheng Pian Cai do not distinguish between Yin and Yang and are collectively called Yin Shou Ge and Cai Ge. Bi Jian and Jie Cai are not within the scope of the eight main Ge, but they have independent terms, namely Jian Lu Ge, Yang Ren Ge, and Yue Jie Ge.

Zhuan Wang Ge: Refers to a person's Ba Zi where a certain Wu Xing is particularly strong and no other Wu Xing can compete with it, forming a unique Wu Xing power structure. According to different degrees and characteristics of Wu Xing strength, Zhuan Wang Ge can be divided into five different types: Qu Zhi Ge, Yan Shang Ge, Jia Se Ge, Cong Ge Ge, and Run Xia Ge.

Cong Ge: Ba Zi Cong Ge refers to the situation where the Ri Yuan Wu Xing is too weak or single, and can only follow other Wu Xing, called Cong Ge. Common Cong Ge include Cong Cai Ge, Cong Sha Ge, Cong Er Ge, etc. There are also true Cong and false Cong.

Special Ge: Ba Zi forms a special Ge Ju due to excessive disparity in Wu Xing or special combinations. Examples include Cong Er Ge, Cong Sha Ge, Ren Qi Long Bei Ge, Jing Cha Xie Lan Ge, etc. Just in "San Ming Tong Hui", there are 56 recorded Ge Ju. Although special Ge are more numerous than ordinary Ge, the vast majority of people belong to ordinary Ge, with only a very small number being special Ge Ju.

Common Ge Ju

1. Zheng Guan Ge Definition: The Yue Zhu has Zheng Guan, preferably Zheng Guan revealed in the Tian Gan, or Zheng Guan hidden in the Di Zhi. If the Shi Zhu has Zheng Cai, it is even better, forming a wealth and honor Cai Guan Ge.

Example: Wu Yin, Xin You, Jia Chen, Wu Chen

2. Yue Shang Pian Guan Ge Definition: The Tian Gan of the Yue Zhu is Pian Guan.

Example: Wu Yin, Gui Hai, Bing Shen, Wu Zi.

3. Shi Shang Pian Cai Ge Definition: The Tian Gan of the Shi Zhu is Pian Guan.

Example: Xin You, Yi Wei, Yi Hai, Ji Mao

4. Shi Shang Yi Wei Gui Definition: Only the Shi Zhu has a Qi Sha or Pian Cai, and the other pillars do not.

Example: Yi Mao, Wu Yin, Bing Zi, Ren Chen

5. Za Qi Cai Guan Ge Definition: There are no obvious Cai or Guan characters in the Ba Zi, and this Cai Guan is hidden in the Di Zhi of Chen Xu Chou Wei, the earth.

Example: Bing Chen, Xin Chou, Jia Xu, Ji Si.

6. Yin Shou Ge Definition: Regardless of the Tian Gan or Di Zhi in the Ba Zi, as long as there is Yin Shou, it can form a Ge, especially in the Yue Zhu.

Breaking Ge: If there is Zheng Cai or Pian Cai in the four pillars, Cai can damage Yin.

Example: Gui Wei, Yi Mao, Bing Zi, Gui Si.

7. Za Qi Yin Shou Ge Definition: Born in Chen Xu Chou Wei month, when no other Ge can be taken, and the Yin Shou in the Yue Ling is revealed to support the Ri Zhu, it is Za Qi Yin Shou Ge.

Example: Wu Chen, Ren Xu, Geng Zi, Ren Wu.

8. He Lu Ge Definition: Wu Ri or Gui Ri Zhu, born in Geng Shen Shi; Wu Ri Ming Ju cannot see Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Gui, Yin, Si; Gui Ri Ming Ju cannot see Jia, Bing, Ding, Wu, Yin, Si;

Example: Yi You, Gui Wei, Gui Wei, Geng Shen

9. Gui Lu Ge Definition: The Di Zhi of the Shi Zhu is the Lu position of the Ri Zhu Tian Gan. For example, if the Ri Zhu is Jia, and the Di Zhi of the Shi Zhu is Yin, because Jia Lu is in Yin, it forms Gui Lu Ge.

Breaking Ge: If any Guan Sha (Zheng Guan, Qi Sha) is seen in the four pillars.

Example: Wu Xu, Jia Yin, Ding Mao, Bing Wu.

10. Gong Lu Ge Definition: Only those born on specific five days can form Gong Lu Ge. Born on Ding Si day, the four pillars see Ding Wei; born on Ji Wei day, the four pillars see Ji Si; born on Wu Chen day, the four pillars see Wu Wu; born on Gui Chou day, the four pillars see Gui Hai, born on Gui Hai day, the four pillars see Gui Chou.

Breaking Ge: In the Ming Ju, Da Yun, or Liu Nian, the Lu that is revealed cannot be seen, otherwise it is called Tian Shi, breaking the Ge.

Example: Jia Zi, Gui You, Wu Chen, Wu Wu.

11. Gong Gui Ge Definition: Only those born on specific six days, combined with specific times, can form Gong Gui Ge. Jia Yin day sees Jia Zi time, Ren Zi day sees Ren Yin time, Jia Shen day sees Jia Xu time, Wu Shen day sees Wu Wu time, Yi Wei day sees Yi You time, Xin Chou day sees Xin Mao time.

Breaking Ge: In the Ming Ju, Da Yun, or Liu Nian, the Guan star that is revealed cannot be seen, otherwise it breaks the Ge.

Example: Jia Wu, Wu Chen, Wu Shen, Wu Wu.

12. Yi Si Shu Gui Ge Definition: The Tian Gan of the Ri Zhu is Yi, and the Di Zhi of the Shi Chen is Zi. Yi Si, Yi Hai are the best; Yi Wei is next; Yi You, Yi Chou are again next; the more Zi characters in the four pillars, the greater the nobility;

Breaking Ge: If the Di Zhi has Wu, Chou, or Mao, because Wu breaks Zi, Chou combines Zi, Mao punishes Zi.

Example: Jia Yin, Wu Chen, Yi Hai, Bing Zi

13. Liu Yi Shu Gui Ge Definition: Born on Yi Chou day at Bing Zi time; born on Yi Mao day at Bing Zi time; born on Yi Si day at Bing Zi time; born on Yi Wei day at Bing Zi time; born on Yi You day at Bing Zi time; born on Yi Hai day at Bing Zi time.

Example: Jia Zi, Wu Chen, Yi Hai, Bing Zi. Yi Mu Ri Yuan, born at Bing Zi time, with no Guan Sha star in the Ba Zi, and Zi Shui Tian Yi Gui Ren not encountering conflict, enters "Liu Yi Shu Gui Ge".

14. Jing Lan Cha Ge Definition: Only for Geng Zi, Geng Shen, Geng Chen three days, the four pillars must have Shen Zi Chen complete, but not necessarily three Geng characters, but having three Geng characters is better.

Breaking Ge: The Tian Gan cannot see Bing Ding (Guan Sha Ming Jian), Wu Ji (Ke Shang Shui Ju, but can be Wu Zi, Wu Chen), Ren Gui (Shi Shang too heavy to go against Yin Wu Xu fire power), the Di Zhi cannot see Si Yin Wu Xu Wei.

Example: Wu Zi, Geng Shen, Geng Shen, Geng Chen.

15. Fei Tian Lu Ma Ge Definition: The Ri Zhu is one of Geng Zi, Ren Zi, Xin Hai, Gui Hai. If it is Geng Zi or Ren Zi, the Nian, Yue, Shi three pillars must have at least two "Di Zhi Zi" appear, with three or more "Di Zhi Zi" appearing in the entire four pillars; when the Ri Zhu is Xin Hai, Gui Hai, the entire four pillars must have three or more "Di Zhi Hai" appearing, forming the "Fei Tian Lu Ma" Ge Ju.

Example: Ren Zi, Ren Zi, Ren Zi, Ren Yin.

16. Liu Yin Chao Yang Ge Definition: When there is no Zheng Guan or Qi Sha in the four pillars, born on Xin Wei, Xin Si, Xin Mao, Xin Chou, Xin Hai, Xin You six Xin days, the Shi Zhu encounters Xu Zi. If the Nian Yue Ri does not see Bing, Ding, Zi, Si, Wu, it breaks the Ge.

Example: Ji Wei, Xin Wei, Xin Wei, Wu Zi.

17. Ren Qi Long Bei Ge Definition: The Ri Zhu is Ren Chen, and the four pillars cannot have Wu Ji Tu (Guan Sha star), needing to see more Chen characters, Yin characters to gain wealth and nobility. If the Nian Yue Shi only has Yin without Chen, it is only wealth without nobility. More Chen characters can bring nobility, needing a strong body, favorably seeing Jia Yi Mu Shi Shen Shang Guan, can see Chou Wei.

Breaking Ge: The Tian Gan cannot have Zheng Guan (Ji Tu) or Qi Sha (Wu Tu), nor Zheng Cai, Pian Cai (Bing Ding Huo); the Di Zhi should not see Xu Chong, nor should the pillar see Ding He Ren, avoid Yi Shang, avoid seeing Si Wu.

Example: Ren Zi, Wu Shen, Ren Chen, Ren Yin.

18. Xing He Ge Definition: Born on six Gui days, the Ri Zhu is Gui Chou, Gui Mao, Gui Si, Gui Wei, Gui You, Gui Hai, and the Shi Zhu is Jia Yin. Because Gui uses Wu Tu as Zheng Guan, using Yin Xing Si Zhong Wu Tu, Gui day gets the Guan star.

Breaking Ge: Avoid seeing Geng Chong Ke Jia, Shen Chong Ke Yin; avoid seeing Wu, Ming Jian Guan star does not use Xing; avoid Si, Si is the Wu Tu Guan star's Lu, also Ming Jian.

Example: Jia Xu, Jia Xu, Gui You, Jia Yin.

19. Zi Yao Si Ge Definition: The Ri Zhu is Jia Zi, and the Shi Zhu is Jia Zi.

Breaking Ge: If the Tian Gan in the four pillars reveals Geng or Xin, it avoids seeing Bing; if the Di Zhi in the four pillars sees Chou or Wu, it avoids seeing Si.

Example: Geng Zi, Ji Mao, Jia Zi, Jia Zi

20. Chou Yao Si Ge Definition: The Ri Zhu is Xin Chou, Gui Chou, and the more Chou characters in the four pillars, the better.

Breaking Ge: Xin Chou day Tian Gan avoids Bing, Ding; Gui Chou day Tian Gan avoids Ding, Wu, Ji characters; the Di Zhi sees Si, Wu, then breaks the Ge.

Example: Xin Chou, Xin Chou, Xin Chou, Geng Yin

21. Dao Chong Ge Definition: There is no Guan star in the four pillars, born on Bing Ding day (preferably Bing Wu day, Ding Si day), Bing day born in Wu month, Ding day born in Si month, each uses Wu Si to Chong out the Guan star.

Breaking Ge: The pillar cannot see Ren Gui, Hai Zi, etc., Guan star Sha star; Bing day favors seeing Shen or Chen, avoids seeing Wei; Ding day avoids Chen, Shen.

Example: Ding Mao, Bing Wu, Bing Wu, Xin Mao

22. Liu Jia Qu Gan Ge Definition: Born on Jia Zi day, Jia Yin day, Jia Chen day, Jia Wu day, Jia Shen day, Jia Xu day at Yi Hai time, with more than one Hai in the four pillars.

Breaking Ge: None

Example: Wu Chen, Gui Hai