Introduction to Six Yao: Understanding 'Shi' and 'Ying'

Introduction to Six Yao: Understanding 'Shi' and 'Ying'

The Roles of Shi Yao and Ying Yao

In Six Yao divination, Shi Yao is the core of the hexagram, the soul of the hexagram image.

• When predicting one's own fortune, health, or situation, analysis often starts from Shi Yao.

• Shi Yao also often represents the querent's stance and mindset regarding the matter, as well as information about the stage of development.

• Generally, Shi Yao should not be overcome by the Yong Shen, nor should it fall into Xun Kong or Yue Po (these concepts will be introduced in detail later).

Correspondingly, Ying Yao symbolizes the other party or external environment related to the querent, for example:

• People with whom the relationship is not close

• The opposing party

• Partners in cooperative ventures

• Love interests

• Travel destinations, etc.

In short, Shi Yao represents the self, and Ying Yao represents the other. When interpreting the hexagram, the interaction between the two must be considered to determine the direction of events.

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Common Meanings of Six Relatives Holding Shi

In different hexagrams, different 'Six Relatives' may fall on Shi Yao. Here are several common situations:

• Descendant Holding Shi

  • Auspicious: For matters like trade, travel, eliminating worries, or business trips, it is mostly auspicious, indicating ease, happiness, and few illnesses or disasters.

  • Inauspicious: For matters like school admissions, exams, official positions, women's marriage, or husband's health, it is mostly unfavorable, often symbolizing melancholy and low spirits.

• Sibling Holding Shi

  • Auspicious: For matters like buying a house, winning awards, documents, letters, or matters related to friendship, it is mostly favorable.

  • Inauspicious: For matters like trade, wealth, men's marriage, or disasters, it is mostly unfavorable, possibly indicating financial loss, expenses, or lack of romantic opportunities.

• Parent Holding Shi

  • Auspicious: For matters like school admissions, exams, documents, contracts, letters, or news, it mostly indicates good news and achievements.

  • Inauspicious: For matters like children's illness or childbirth, it is unfavorable, often indicating hard work, toil, and a depressed mood.

• Wealth Holding Shi

  • Auspicious: For matters like trade, men's marriage, wealth, or lost items, it is mostly smooth, indicating prosperous wealth and recoverable lost items.

  • Inauspicious: For matters concerning parents, elders, buying a house, or buying land, it is unfavorable, often indicating failed contracts or weak connection with parents.

• Officer Holding Shi

  • Auspicious: For matters like official positions, promotions, job transfers, women's marriage, exams, or school admissions, it is mostly auspicious, symbolizing reputation and future prospects.

  • Inauspicious: For matters like illness or sibling safety, it is unfavorable, often representing illness, troubles, or disasters.

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Summary

'Shi' and 'Ying' are the most critical elements in Six Yao divination.

• Shi Yao determines the stance and state of 'our side', while Ying Yao reflects the situation of 'the other side'.

• Beginners can start with the common meanings of the Six Relatives holding Shi to grasp the general direction.

• For advanced practice, it is necessary to combine the effects of the Sun and Moon on Shi Yao, the dynamic and static relationships among the lines, and factors such as the Six Spirits and line positions to make more accurate judgments.