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In the study of Chinese metaphysics, identifying an individual’s Daymaster (日主) is the first step to analysing their personality, characteristics, traits and attributes. As an outward reflection of the self, the Daymaster is determined in relation to their Bazi’s Heavenly Stem.

The Daymaster refers to the Heavenly Stem that represents the day of their birth, according to the Chinese calendar. This term, one widely used in the study of Chinese metaphysics and the practice of Bazi (八字), is also referred to as the Day Pillar. The Daymaster is often the most crucial element of any Bazi chart, as it represents the outward portrayal of an individual’s character and personality. The remaining three pillars of the Bazi chart — the Year, Month and Hour pillars — interact with an individual’s Daymaster to determine their destiny and life trajectory.

Why is knowing your Daymaster important?

In Bazi, the importance of an individual’s Daymaster lies in its ability to reveal an individual’s innate potential, strengths and weaknesses. A detailed understanding of your Bazi chart and Daymaster places you in a better position to achieve your goals, improve yourself and attract better opportunities. A thorough understanding of your Daymaster brings:

• Self-awareness: Gain knowledge of your inherent qualities, natural tendencies and behaviours. It grants a greater understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
• Interpersonal relationships: Help you understand your compatibility with different people and provide insights into the dynamics within both personal and professional relationships.
• Career choices: Greater understanding of your Daymaster keeps you informed of career choices that will align with your areas of expertise.
• Personal development: By knowing your strengths and weaknesses, you can focus on your positive traits while improving on areas that require development.

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What is a Daymaster?

In Chinese metaphysics, Daymasters refer to the Heavenly Day Stem which represents the day of an individual’s birth. There are a total of Ten Daymasters, which are also referred to as the Ten Heavenly Stems: Jia Wood (甲木), Yi Wood (乙木), Bing Fire (丙火), Ding Fire (丁火), Wu Earth (戊土), Ji Earth (己土), Geng Metal (庚金), Xin Metal (辛金), Ren Water (壬水) and Gui Water (癸水).

To fully understand the concepts behind Daymasters, we must first delve into the concept of the Five Elements. Each Daymaster has its unique characteristics and strengths which are influenced by the interactions between the Five Elements: Wood (木), Fire (火), Earth (土), Metal (金), and Water (水).

Jia (甲) and Yi (乙) are associated with Wood.

Bing (丙) and Ding (丁) are associated with Fire.

Geng (庚) and Xin (辛) are associated with Metal.

Wu (戊) and Ji (己) are associated with Earth.

Ren (壬) and Gui (癸) are associated with Water.

Emerging towards the latter years of the Han dynasty (25 to 220 AD), the Five Elements Theory (五行学说) marked the foundation of our understanding of the universe. Ancient Chinese philosophers used this theory to interpret the interactions and relationships of the natural world — from the skies, planets and constellations, to the mountains, the ocean and seasonal phenomena. The concept of the Five Elements has also been applied to traditional Chinese medicine, and used to explain human physiology and observable symptoms for different ailments. Ultimately, the Five Elements Theory formed the foundational study of systems in Chinese history.

Another key aspect in understanding your Daymaster is the differentiations between each element in the different, yet complementary polarities of Yin and Yang. Each Daymaster has a Yin or Yang polarity, which is determined by the Heavenly Stem associated with an individual’s day of birth.

When analysing an individual’s Daymaster, the relationship between the element and its corresponding Yin and Yang polarity is also considered. These Daymasters, otherwise known as Heavenly Stems, can be categorised into two groups based on their polarity:

• Odd-Numbered Heavenly Stems (Yang): Associated with masculine energy, assertiveness and active qualities: 甲 (Jia), 丙 (Bing), 戊 (Wu), 庚 (Geng), and 壬 (Ren)
• Even-Numbered Heavenly Stems (Yin): Associated with feminine energy, receptivity and passive qualities: 乙 (Yi), 丁 (Ding), 己 (Ji), 辛 (Xin), and 癸 (Gui)

The interplay between Yin and Yang polarities within the Daymaster adds depth and complexity to its interpretation. This interaction between elements, combined with the associations between the Heavenly Stems and the Five Elements provides insights into an individual’s character, strengths, weaknesses and potential life outcomes.

Understanding your Daymaster

In any Bazi chart, the Heavenly Stems are generally seen in the upper row, whereas the Earthly Branches are situated in the lower row. When the Ten Heavenly Stems are employed in a Bazi chart, they possess different positions, as well as different functions. A thorough Bazi analysis by an experienced Imperial Feng Shui master can detail an accurate reading of your Bazi chart. In the following articles, we will delve deeper into the characteristics of the ten different Daymasters, detailing their innate properties and strengths.

Recommended articles:

• Understanding Your Daymaster — Jia Wood (甲木)
• Understanding Your Daymaster — Yi Wood (乙木)
• Understanding Your Daymaster — Bing Fire (丙火)
• Understanding Your Daymaster — Ding Fire (丁火)
• Understanding Your Daymaster — Wu Earth (戊土)
• Understanding Your Daymaster — Ji Earth (己土)
• Understanding Your Daymaster — Geng Metal (庚金)
• Understanding Your Daymaster — Xin Metal (辛金)
• Understanding Your Daymaster — Ren Water (壬水)
• Understanding Your Daymaster — Gui Water (癸水)