On Auspicious Deities

On Auspicious Deities

Overall Paraphrased Translation

In numerology, "combination" (合) is divided into three types: Heavenly Stem Combinations (干合), Earthly Branch Six Combinations (六合), and Earthly Branch Triple Combinations (三合). Their fundamental functions are consistent. Combinations represent the harmonious energy of Yin and Yang between heaven and earth 🌱, generally indicating auspiciousness, symbolizing handsome appearance, kind-heartedness, aversion to killing, a peaceful mindset, intelligence, wisdom, and strong communication and negotiation skills. However, combinations can also bring serious harm: if the combination is in a state of growth and prosperity in the destiny chart, affairs proceed smoothly and the mood is cheerful; if it is in a state of decline and exhaustion, everything goes awry and wishes are hard to fulfill. Combinations that involve mutual generation are auspicious; if blessed by fortunate deities (such as Noble Persons, Lu, or Ma), the blessings are even greater. Combinations that involve mutual conflict are inauspicious; if combined with malicious forces (such as Robbery Killings or Peach Blossom), they often lead to unexpected disasters and setbacks. The combination of stems and branches must be interpreted in conjunction with auspicious and inauspicious deities to determine fortune and misfortune. Female destiny charts are particularly averse to combinations that include malicious forces.

Combinations that include malicious forces (杀), such as combining with Peach Blossom (咸池), may lead to a ruined reputation and improper conduct; if further combined with Great Exhaustion (大耗, a wealth-draining force), it is easy to engage in promiscuous behavior. However, if supported by a noble pattern, one can transform from lowly to noble. Generally speaking, combining with auspicious deities such as Proper Seal, Noble Person, Lu, Ma, or Food God brings deep blessings and prosperity; combining with malicious forces such as Yuan Chen, Tian Zhong, Robbery Killing, Peach Blossom, or Official Talisman, though termed "combination," is actually worse than having no combination at all, as it instead invites disaster. (Cited from Zhu Shen Jing)

True Combination is most critical: for example, Zi-Si and Mao-Shen stem combinations are true combinations.
Virtue Combination is not pure: such as combinations like Jia-Zi, Ji-Chou, Bing-Xu, Xin-Mao. Although sequentially noble, they are not as pure as Ren-Zi and Gui-Chou.
Empty Combination brings no glory: if the four pillars combine but do not support Lu, Ma, or the natal destiny, nobility is not manifested.

Triple combinations like Yin-Wu-Xu represent the union of the five elements' bodies, symbolizing the meeting of three lives; annual combinations like Zi-Chou are yearly unions; stem combinations like Jia-Ji are true energy virtue combinations; combinations like Yin-Chou represent the union of form and energy. Jia obtaining Chou-Wei is a combination without apparent combination (hidden combination); Ding obtaining Hai is Lu connecting through combination. Shen meeting Yi is a branch combining with a stem; Shen meeting Hai is a stem combining with a branch. One must observe their position (clear or turbid), the severity of losing position, the pairing of upper and lower, and the closeness or looseness to determine fortune and misfortune. (Cited from Gui Gu Yi Wen)

【Complete Combination of Ten Stems and Twelve Branches】
Complete stem combination refers to all ten stems, such as Wu, Geng, Xin, Ren, etc., being present; complete branch combination refers to all twelve branches, such as Chou, Mao, Si, Wei, You, Hai, etc., being present. If the destiny palace contains all twelve branches, it is most noble. Because mentioning Wu implies Gui is present (Jia-Ji combination, Yi-Geng combination, etc.), and mentioning Zi implies Chou is present (Earthly Branch Six Combinations), this is the Heavenly Official Noble Pattern. Jia loves the Golden Rooster (You contains Xin), Yi loves the Monkey (Shen contains Geng). From this, one can understand that stems and branches inherently have complete combinations. Those who obtain this have slightly prosperous five elements and are often greatly noble; if further combined with Lu, Ma, or noble forces, they often achieve extreme nobility.

【Hidden Stem-Branch Combination Pattern】
For example, a Jia person obtaining three or four Wei is called a branch hiddenly combining with a stem (Wei contains Ji); a Hai person obtaining three or four Jia is called a stem hiddenly combining with a branch (Jia contains Yin). Such patterns indicate unintentional satisfaction, representing a combination without apparent combination. This has been explained in the previous stem-branch combination discussion, but the effect is slightly slower. (Cited from Li Xu Zhong's writing)

【Another Hidden Stem-Branch Combination Pattern】
A Bing person meeting You (Bing combines with Xin, Xin's blessing is in You); a Chou person meeting Gui (Gui's Lu is in Zi, Zi combines with Chou). Others, such as a Jia person bringing Chou-Wei, or six Gui people meeting Wu, etc., all follow this pattern. (Cited from San Ren Bing Zuan Ju)

The sixth branch of the controlled stem head is the Six Combinations entering the central book; flowing smoothly is only interpreted as wealth star, leading to fame spreading in the imperial capital.
For example, Chancellor Zhang Zihou: Year Yi-Hai, Month Wu-Zi, Day Ding-Wei, Hour Ren-Yin. Ding meeting Ren is an official, and Yin combines with Wei. (Cited from Zi Xu Ju)
Li Jiuwan said: Stem combination number branch sixth position, such as Jia-Zi, Ji-Si, Ji-Si, Jia-Zi, Wu-Wu, Gui-Hai, Gui-Hai, Wu-Wu, etc., are all examples.

【Monarch-Minister Celebration, Heaven-Earth Virtue Combination】
Stems represent heaven's clear energy, branches represent earth's thick support. Obtaining it within the same original Jia (e.g., Ji-Mao obtaining Jia-Xu, Xin-Mao obtaining Bing-Xu) is the Monarch-Minister Celebration; not within the same original Jia (e.g., Geng-Wu obtaining Ji-Wei, Jia-Zi obtaining Ji-Chou) is the Heaven-Earth Virtue Combination. However, one must observe the five elements' prosperity and decline: for example, Xin-Mao's prosperous wood obtaining Bing-Xu's fire generating earth indicates benevolence, forgiveness, and gentleness; Wu-Xu meeting Gui-Mao involves metal and wood conflicting—if encountering prosperous metal, it brings wealth, nobility, and longevity; if encountering declining metal, it brings nobility but early death or poverty. Hour combination is superior, day combination is secondary. Day and night mutually serve as monarch and minister (e.g., Xin-Mao obtaining Bing-Xu); advancing combination brings early success, retreating combination brings late-life happiness. (Cited from Ge Dong Sou Shu)

【Monarch-Minister Celebration, Commoner Receiving Appointment to Assist Yao's Heaven】
It must not leave the same ten-day cycle; Yang is the monarch, Yin is the minister. The monarch above and minister below is auspicious; the opposite leads to chaos and rebellion. (Cited from Hu Zhong Zi)

【Imperial Court Noble Attendants Pattern】
Heaven and earth completely combined, like a swift horse whipped to see the true official and noble person flanking. For example, Bing-Zi Xin-Chou obtaining Jia-Zi day and hour: Bing-Zi's Na Yin water meeting Jia-Zi's true earth as an official; Bing-Zi and Xin-Chou heaven-earth combination; Bing's noble person in Hai, Xin's noble person in Yin, forming noble person flanking. Those obtaining this pattern have official careers extending through generations. Ren-Wu obtaining Yi-Wei follows this, but without heaven-earth combination, the power is reduced.

【Suspended Heavy Gold Pattern】
Stem combination is heaven belt combination, branch combination is earth belt combination. For example, a Geng-Chen person, Ji-You month, Bing-Xu day, Xin-Mao hour: Yi-Geng Bing-Xin heaven belt combination, You-Chen Xu-Mao earth belt combination; Geng-Chen's Na Yin metal, Yi-Geng true metal, hence called suspended heavy gold, indicating nobility. (Cited from Yu Xiao Bao Jian)

If the heaven-earth combination rides the prosperous energy of its own family and other places' prosperous energy, it can become a Two Mansions extremely noble destiny; if not riding prosperous energy but carrying fortunate deities, it can also become a Two Mansions adjacent destiny; if pure and unblemished, it becomes a court official destiny; if encountering冲破空亡 (break, clash, emptiness), it is mixed, and with fortunate deities present, it can become an official; without, it becomes an unsuccessful candidate, monk, or Taoist; if declining and without energy, it becomes a stingy commoner. (Cited from Lin Kai Wu Ming)

Heaven-earth combination most values hour combination, with hour combination governing the root as superior (hour is the emperor's seat); non-hour combination is slower. Avoid excessive Yang and scarce Yin (e.g., two Jia one Ji); Yang is monarch, husband, Yin is minister, wife. Too many monarchs and too few ministers cause chaos. There must be no harm, conflict, or break. (Cited from Li Xu Zhong's writing)
Heaven-earth combination obtaining growth and prosperity is tight (e.g., Yi-You obtaining Geng-Chen); losing prosperity is slow (e.g., Jia-Chen obtaining Ji-You); must be interpreted according to the temporary situation. (Cited from Guang Lu)
Heaven-earth combination is originally fortunate, but if in emptiness or mutual conflict, it instead becomes tightly disastrous. Injury at the combination point offers no补救. (Cited from Guang Xin)
Heaven-earth combination without creative energy is insufficient to be true; e.g., a Yi-You person meeting Geng-Chen metal requires day or hour having fire or earth to be superior, or oriented towards Yin-Si-Wu-Shen-You to obtain energy. Yin seeking Yang combination brings thick blessings (Ji-You combining with Jia-Chen); Yang seeking Yin combination is weak (Jia-Chen Ji-You). (Cited from Tian Yuan Bian Hua Shu)

The star of Six Combinations is very strong; further observe authority and killing for detailed analysis; without authority, it only indicates prosperous fields and wealth; with killing, it should indicate a high official.
Heaven-earth six combinations require pure divine forces; if mixed with emptiness, it is broken. For example, Wu-Xu combining with Gui-Mao only makes a wealthy commoner destiny; Wu-Wu combining with Gui-Wei becomes extremely noble. (Cited from Gui Gu Yao Jue)

Three奇 (special combinations) are not as strong as one Jia; three Jia can equal one combination; stems, branches, day, and hour all combined, clear reputation and beautiful fame spread far. (Cited from Jin Shu Ming Jue)
Triple combination with carrying the Na Yin prosperous day and hour of its own family is superior (e.g., Hai-Mao-Wei obtaining Xin-Mao). Avoid metal overcoming wood, etc.; reverse overcoming is inauspicious and lowly. Water destiny meeting Shen-Zi-Chen water formation is obtaining the formation; meeting Hai-Mao-Wei wood formation instead drains energy; meeting Yin-Wu-Xu fire formation is wealth formation; meeting Si-You-Chou metal formation is completion formation (encountering mother). Water person obtaining water formation is the proper formation; the rest analogize. (Cited from Yuan Sui Ge)

Combination deities quietly assist fortune and nobility, blessing power trickling; ghost overcoming combination deities, even with joy, must instead bring disaster. (Cited from Yin Mi Fu)
Auspicious affairs combine, seen through combination seeing auspiciousness; inauspicious affairs combine, seen through combination seeing inauspiciousness. (Cited from Shen Bai Jing)

Embedded chart

Chancellor Zhang Zihou

Male chart

Stem-branch set	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5	Set 6	Set 7	Set 8	Set 9	Set 10	Set 11
Stem	Y	H	i	u	i	i	g	e	R	n	i
Branch	i	a	W	Z	D	n	W	i	e	Y	n

🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Concepts 💡

• Nature of Combination: Combination represents the harmony and interaction of Yin and Yang, divided into three types: Heavenly Stem Combinations, Earthly Branch Six Combinations, and Earthly Branch Triple Combinations. It symbolizes interpersonal relationships, environmental coordination, and internal balance.
• Judging Auspiciousness and Inauspiciousness: The auspiciousness of a combination depends on its state of growth or decline, the pairing with deities (auspicious deities enhance blessings, malicious forces trigger disasters), and the relationships of mutual generation and conflict among the five elements.
• Gender Differences: Female destiny charts are particularly sensitive to malicious forces within combinations, reflecting traditional cultural emphasis on female chastity.
• Transformation from Lowly to Noble: Combinations can facilitate a shift from lowly to noble status but require support from noble patterns, demonstrating the dynamic and conditional nature of numerology.

Modern Interpretation 🌟

• Contemporary Application: In modern society, "combination" can be analogized to teamwork, interpersonal networks, or environmental fit. A combination in a state of growth symbolizes smooth cooperation (e.g., workplace harmony), while a combination in decline represents conflict or insufficient resources.
• Rationalization with Science: Removing superstitious elements, the principle of combination is based on the mutual generation and conflict of the five elements and statistical patterns. For example, "combining with Peach Blossom" may暗示 a personality with high social activity rather than absolute promiscuity; it should be analyzed in conjunction with personal behavior and environment.
• Gender Equality Perspective: Traditional taboos for women (e.g., avoiding combinations with malicious forces) reflect historical limitations; modern interpretation should淡化 gender bias and emphasize the overall balance of the individual's destiny chart.
• Decision-Making Reference: Information about combinations can be used for self-awareness—for instance, if the destiny chart has many combinations, one can actively develop social skills; if combinations include malicious forces, one needs to handle interpersonal relationships cautiously to avoid risks.

Practical Value ⚡

• Personal Development: Identifying combinations in the destiny chart helps understand one's strengths (e.g., cooperation ability) and risk points (e.g., susceptibility to external influence), thereby optimizing career choices, investments, or interpersonal relationships.
• Preventive Advice: If a combination includes malicious forces (e.g., Peach Blossom, Great Exhaustion), in a modern context, it can be interpreted as paying attention to financial management and emotional self-discipline to avoid impulsive behavior.
• Parenting and Education: For children's destiny charts, many combinations may indicate intelligence and social skills, so communication skills can be cultivated; but combinations with malicious forces require guiding them to establish a sense of rules.
• Workplace Application: In team building, the concept of combination can inspire member matching—combinations of mutually generating five elements may be more harmonious, but power imbalances like "excessive Yang and scarce Yin" should be avoided.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔

• Balance of Yin and Yang: Combination embodies the concept of mutual supplementation of Yin and Yang in Chinese philosophy, emphasizing that excess (e.g., excessive Yang and scarce Yin) leads to chaos, which aligns with the concept of balance in modern systems theory.
• Destiny and Free Will: Combination暗示先天 trends but also leaves room for human effort—through cultivation and behavioral adjustment (e.g., accumulating virtue and avoiding malicious forces), inauspiciousness can be transformed, reflecting the philosophy of "destiny being self-determined."
• Holistic View: The analysis of combinations requires synthesizing stems, branches, deities, prosperity, and decline, opposing isolated problem-solving, consistent with modern holistic thinking.
• Cultural Evolution: From ancient to modern times, the interpretation of combinations should shift from fatalism to empowerment, focusing on environmental interaction and personal agency.

📚 Related Knowledge

• Related Concepts:
  • Heavenly Stem Combinations: Jia-Ji combine into earth, Yi-Geng combine into metal, Bing-Xin combine into water, Ding-Ren combine into wood, Wu-Gui combine into fire, representing cooperation and transformation.
  • Earthly Branch Six Combinations: Zi-Chou combine into earth, Yin-Hai combine into wood, Mao-Xu combine into fire, Chen-You combine into metal, Si-Shen combine into water, Wu-Wei combine into earth, symbolizing harmony among earthly branches.
  • Earthly Branch Triple Combinations: Shen-Zi-Chen combine into water, Hai-Mao-Wei combine into wood, Yin-Wu-Xu combine into fire, Si-You-Chou combine into metal, representing the convergence of three forces.
  • Deities: Such as Peach Blossom (咸池), Great Exhaustion (大耗), Lu Ma (禄马, prosperity and official运), need to be judged in combination with the combination formation.
• Further Reading:
  • "Combination Formation Theory" in Yuan Hai Zi Ping: In-depth explanation of practical cases of stem and branch combinations.
  • San Ming Tong Hui Volume 4 "On Combinations": Systematic elaboration of the types of combinations and methods for judging auspiciousness and inauspiciousness.
  • The concept of "combination" in I Ching hexagrams: Such as the Tai Hexagram (地天泰) symbolizing the interaction of heaven and earth, which can be cross-referenced.
• Modern Research:
  • Contemporary numerologists like Liang Xiangrun reinterpret "combination" using psychology in Zi Ping Ji Chu Gai Yao, emphasizing its value as a model of interpersonal interaction.
  • Empirical research: Some sociologists use the concept of combination to analyze organizational behavior, finding that balanced five elements in teams correlate with performance, but more data support is needed.