On the Ten Heavenly Stem Combinations

论十干合

夫合者，乃和谐之义，如阳见阳，二阳相竞则为克，阴见阴，二阴不足则为克，唯阴见阳，阳见阴为合，亦如男女相合而成夫妇之道。 东方甲乙木畏西方庚辛金克。甲属阳为兄，乙属阴为妹，甲兄遂将乙妹嫁金家，与庚为妻，所以乙与庚合。
南方丙丁火畏北方壬癸水克。丙属阳为兄，丁属阴为妹，丙兄遂将丁妹嫁水家，与壬为妻，所以丁与壬合。中央戊己土畏东方甲乙木克。戊属阳为兄，己属阴为妹，戊兄遂将己妹嫁木家，与甲为妻，所以甲与己合。
西方庚辛金畏南方丙丁火克。庚属阳为兄，辛属阴为妹，庚兄乃将辛妹嫁火家，与丙为妻，所以丙与辛合。
北方壬癸水畏中央戊己土克。壬属阳为兄，癸属阴为妹，壬兄乃将癸妹嫁土家，与戊为妻，所以戊与癸合。
甲与己何名为中正之合？甲，阳木也，其性仁，位处十干之首，己，阴土也，镇静淳笃，有生物之德，故甲己为中正之合。带此合主人尊崇重大，宽厚平直。如带煞而五行无气则多嗔好怒，性梗不可屈。
乙与庚何名为仁义之合？乙，阴木也，其性仁而太柔，庚，阳金也，坚强不屈则刚柔相济，仁义兼资。故主人果敢有守， 不惑柔佞，周旋唯仁，进退唯义。五行生旺则骨秀形清，若死绝带煞则使气好勇，体貌不扬，自是非人。甲己、乙庚之合，妇人不忌。
丙与辛何名为威制之合？丙，阳火也，辉赫自盛，辛，阴金也，克刃喜煞。故丙辛为威制之合。主人仪表威肃，人多畏惧，酷毒，好贿喜淫，若带煞或五行死绝则寡恩少义，无情之人。妇人得之，与天中、大耗、咸池相并者，貌美声卑，夭冶而淫。
丁与壬何名为淫慝之合？壬者，纯阴之水，三光不照，丁者，藏阴之火，自昧不明。故丁壬为淫慝之合。主人眼明神娇，多情易动，不事高洁，习下无去，枕欢溺色，于我则吝，于彼则贪，若五行死绝或带煞，见咸池、大耗、天中自败，有淫污家风之丑；亲厚小人，侮慢君子，贪婪妄作，必胜而后已。妇人淫邪奸慝，易挑易诱，多招玷辱，或年高而嫁少夫，或年幼而配老夫，或先贱而后良，或先良而后贱。
戊与癸何名为无情之合？戊，阳土也，是老丑之夫，癸，阴水也，是婆娑之妇，老阳而少阴，虽合而无情，主人或好或丑，如戊得癸则娇媚，姿美得所，男子娶少妇，妇人嫁美夫；若癸得戊则形容古朴，老相俗尘，男子娶老妻，妇人嫁老夫。

On the Ten Heavenly Stem Combinations

Overall Paraphrase

The essence of the Ten Stem combinations is the harmonization of Yin and Yang: Just as a man and woman unite to become husband and wife, a Yang Stem and a Yin Stem must meet to form a harmonious relationship. If two Yang Stems meet, they contend with each other (mutual restriction); if two Yin Stems meet, they restrict each other due to insufficient energy.

Origin and Characteristics of the Five Stem Combinations

1. Yi-Geng Combination (Metal) 🌳⚔️

   • Background: Wood (Jia, Yi) fears restriction by Metal (Geng, Xin). The elder brother, Yang Wood Jia, marries his younger sister, Yin Wood Yi, to Yang Metal Geng.
   • Characteristic: The Combination of Benevolence and Righteousness. The gentle benevolence of Yi Wood complements the unyielding strength of Geng Metal, symbolizing the balance of firmness and flexibility. Individuals with this combination in their destiny are typically decisive, trustworthy, and discerning; if the Five Elements are weak, they may be prone to impulsiveness and combativeness.

2. Ding-Ren Combination (Wood) 🔥🌊

   • Background: Fire (Bing, Ding) fears restriction by Water (Ren, Gui). Yang Fire Bing marries his younger sister, Yin Fire Ding, to Yang Water Ren.
   • Characteristic: The Combination of Emotional Fluctuation. Ren Water is deep with undercurrents 🌑, Ding Fire is faint and obscure 🌒, easily leading to sentimentalism and changeability. The individual may be sensitive and perceptive but needs to guard against indulgence in desires; if the Five Elements are imbalanced, emotional entanglements are likely.

3. Jia-Ji Combination (Earth) 🌳⛰️

   • Background: Earth (Wu, Ji) fears restriction by Wood (Jia, Yi). Yang Earth Wu marries his younger sister, Yin Earth Ji, to Yang Wood Jia.
   • Characteristic: The Combination of Uprightness and Impartiality. The benevolent tolerance of Jia Wood combines with the steadiness of Ji Earth, often making the individual magnanimous and upright; however, if the Five Elements lack vitality, they may become stubborn and irritable.

4. Bing-Xin Combination (Water) 🔥⚔️

   • Background: Metal (Geng, Xin) fears restriction by Fire (Bing, Ding). Yang Metal Geng marries his younger sister, Yin Metal Xin, to Yang Fire Bing.
   • Characteristic: The Combination of Authority and Dignity. The intensity of Bing Fire and the sharpness of Xin Metal create an aura of power and intimidation. The individual may possess a strong presence but needs to guard against harshness and greed; when the Five Elements are in a state of decay, aloofness may manifest.

5. Wu-Gui Combination (Fire) ⛰️🌊

   • Background: Water (Ren, Gui) fears restriction by Earth (Wu, Ji). Yang Water Ren marries his younger sister, Yin Water Gui, to Yang Earth Wu.
   • Characteristic: The Combination of Pragmatism. Wu Earth is substantial like an elder, Gui Water is fluid like a young woman; this combination often indicates an age gap or a pragmatic tendency. The individual may choose a partner based on practical needs, with significant differences in outward expression.

---

🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Concepts 💡

• Yin-Yang Complementarity: The essence of combination is the mutual fulfillment of different attributes (firmness/flexibility, movement/stillness).
• Five Elements Interaction and Transformation: "Marriage alliances" resolve mutual restriction, embodying the wisdom of dynamic balance.

Modern Interpretation 🌟

Stem Combination	Traditional Characteristic	Modern Analogy
Yi-Geng	Firmness and Flexibility Combined	Ability to balance principle and adaptability
Ding-Ren	Sentimental and Changeable	High artistic sensitivity; requires emotional management
Jia-Ji	Magnanimous and Upright	Inclusiveness and fairness in leadership
Bing-Xin	Authoritative and Solemn	Strong sense of authority; needs to avoid controlling tendencies
Wu-Gui	Pragmatic Union	Relationship model emphasizing practical benefits

⚠️ Note: Some descriptions (e.g., negative judgments regarding female marriage) reflect feudal values and should be viewed dialectically within their historical context.

Practical Value ⚡

• Character Optimization: If one's destiny chart contains the Ding-Ren combination and is prone to emotionalism, practices like meditation or artistic creation can help channel emotions.
• Relationship Advice: Those with the Wu-Gui combination should be wary of purely interest-based unions in relationships and prioritize emotional resonance.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔

The combinations reveal the law of "the unity of opposites": conflict (mutual restriction) can be transformed (through combination) into synergy. Just as in modern management, differentiated teams are often more innovative.

---

📚 Related Knowledge

• Associated Concepts:
  • Heavenly Stem Mutual Restriction → Combinations are the resolution to restriction.
  • Combined and Transformed Elements → e.g., Jia-Ji combines and transforms into Earth, affecting the Five Elements' strength in the destiny chart.
• Further Reading:
  • Yuan Hai Zi Ping: On the Ten Stems' Transformation into Qi
  • Di Tian Sui: Chapter on Coordination
• Modern Research:
  Taiwanese scholar Chen Pinhong proposed "The Ten Stem Combinations Symbolize Interpersonal Cooperation Models," integrating them into a psychological analysis framework.

🌿 Application Tip: The Ten Stem Combinations can assist in analyzing cooperative relationships and team compatibility but must be interpreted in conjunction with the complete Eight Characters (BaZi).