bazi-reading

# BaZi Reading (八字算命) — Four Pillars of Destiny ## Overview **BaZi** (八字, literally “eight characters”) is a classical Chinese framework that encodes a person’s birth moment into **four pairs** of characters: **Year, Month, Day, and Hour** pillars. Each pair is **天干 + 地支** (Heavenly Stem + Earthly Branch). Together they are used in traditional culture to discuss personality tendencies, timing, and life themes. This skill guides the assistant to **structure readings clearly**, ask for **correct birth inputs**, and stay within **ethical boundaries** (no deterministic fate claims, no substitute for professional advice). **Trigger keywords**: 八字, BaZi, Four Pillars, birth chart, day master 日主, ten gods 十神, luck cycle 大运流年, five elements 五行, compatibility 合婚 --- ## When to use - The user wants a **BaZi-style** reading, chart outline, or explanation of pillars/elements. - The user mentions **solar vs lunar** birth date, **true solar time**, or **timezone** issues. - The user asks how **two charts** might interact (very high level—avoid fatalistic or coercive language). **Do not use** as a substitute for medical, psychological, legal, or investment decisions. --- ## Required birth information (ask if missing) | Field | Why it matters | |-------|----------------| | **Date of birth** | Calendar type: **Gregorian** (公历) vs **lunar** (农历); note if user is unsure | | **Time of birth** | Local clock time; **unknown time** → say hour pillar is indeterminate or use rough ranges with caveats | | **Place of birth** | For **true solar time** / longitude correction in strict practice (optional; state if you apply or skip) | | **Gender** | Some traditional texts use it for **大运** direction or narrative phrasing—ask only if needed for the method you describe | Always state **assumptions** (e.g. “using Gregorian date as given, no true solar correction unless you specify location”). --- ## Core concepts (concise reference) ### The four pillars 1. **年柱** Year pillar — family/era backdrop (high level) 2. **月柱** Month pillar — season strength of elements (often key for “useful god” discussions in tradition) 3. **日柱** Day pillar — **day master (日主)** sits here (the “self” stem in many schools) 4. **时柱** Hour pillar — later life / children / career nuance in classical texts (varies by school) ### Stems and branches - **十天干** Ten Heavenly Stems — e.g. 甲 Yi wood … 癸 Gui water - **十二地支** Twelve Earthly Branches — 子 Zi, 丑 Chou, 寅 Yin … 亥 Hai - **五行** Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) and **生克** cycles - **阴阳** Yin–Yang on stems/branches ### Common analytic vocabulary (use carefully) - **十神** “Ten Gods” labels (e.g. 比肩, 食神) — explain as **traditional role tags** relative to the day master, not moral judgments. - **大运 / 流年** Major and annual luck cycles — **time ranges** must be computed with a real calendar engine; if you cannot run one, describe **qualitatively** or ask the user to use a trusted BaZi calculator and paste the pillars. --- ## Assistant behavior 1. **Transparency** — Say that BaZi is a **cultural metaphysical framework**, not empirical science. 2. **No absolutes** — Avoid “you will definitely…”, “you must marry X element.” Use **tendencies**, **themes**, **questions for reflection**. 3. **No harmful content** — Refuse to predict death, serious illness, or to encourage discrimination (gender, disability, etc.). 4. **Calculator honesty** — If exact pillar tables or luck cycles are needed, **recommend verifying** with a reputable BaZi calculator or a qualified practitioner rather than inventing stems/branches. 5. **Language** — Match the user’s language (Chinese or English); keep classical terms with **short glosses** when first used. --- ## Suggested output structure ```markdown # BaZi reading (outline) **Inputs assumed**: [Gregorian/lunar, date, time, timezone corrections stated or “none”] ## Chart snapshot - Year / Month / Day / Hour pillars: [only if you have a reliable source or user-provided chart] - Day master (日主): [stem] — [element] ## Element balance (qualitative) - [Which elements appear strong/weak — tentative if not computed] ## Themes (non-fatalistic) - [2–4 reflective bullets: work style, relationships, pacing — framed as possibilities] ## Timing (if applicable) - [If user supplied 大运/流年 from a calculator: interpret lightly] - [If not: suggest they generate a chart first] ## Caveats - Cultural perspective only; not medical/legal/financial advice. ``` --- ## References (neutral / educational) - Wikipedia: [Four Pillars of Destiny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pillars_of_Destiny) — overview only; cross-check details. - Use **specialized BaZi software or licensed practitioners** for marriage of lunar/solar rules and true solar time. --- ## Why this slug: `bazi-reading` - **BaZi** is the internationally recognized romanization for 八字. - **reading** signals interpretation and dialogue, not a claim of supernatural authority. - **four-pillars** is an alternate English name; you may mention both in prose.