Reading your BaZi includes these five steps:

1. Write out your birth chart, then identify your day master (celestial stem of the day you were born);
2. Evaluate the elemental strength in your chart to determine your chart type. Are you strong body type, weak body type, balanced type, follower chart type, dominant chart type, or transformation harmony type? Vast majority of people are either strong or weak body types. Only a handful of people are follower or balanced types. Even fewer people are dominant or transformation harmony type;
3. With your chart type and your day master’s attributes, you can now find your favorable elements and adverse elements (喜用神和忌神）, and then map out the ten deities on your chart. Analyze their location and strength;
4. Look for specific combinations (Combination, Clash, harmony, penalties, harm, and break) and analyze their presence;
5. Organize these findings, analyze for trends.

Step 1 & 2: The fundamentals

The first step is very easy. Find your day master and document its yin/yang and five element attributes. This is your starting point. It also represents your attribute.

Now, the next step is to evaluate the overall elemental strength in the chart. In my APP, this is done automatically. In real life, if you want to calculate, it is a bit complicated. Typically, you start by counting how many elements are present. Then, you find the Month Command (fancy name for the terrestrial branch of the month pillar) and compare how it will affect different elements. This will affect all your other element’s elemental strengths.

Then, you also factor in the location aspect. Who is next to who, who is above who, etc. Think of it as a table with individual calculations. You start with a base score (basically what element is present) and gradually add or subtract points based on different categories.

Different schools have different ways to evaluate these relations. I am not going into which school is right or which school is wrong, just know that they exist, and nine out of ten, the conclusion about a BaZi’s chart type is the same.

Below are the complete descriptions of different chart types (these types are automatically calculated in the app):

Strong Body Type (身强型)

People with a strong body type are confident, decisive, and have a strong sense of self. They have a high capacity for stress and pressure, and they are action-oriented with clear goals. They tend to do well in competitive environments or careers that require bold decision-making, such as management or entrepreneurship. However, it’s important for them to avoid being too stubborn, overly headstrong, or dismissive of others’ opinions. They should also be cautious not to overexert themselves, as it could deplete their energy or cause them to overlook others’ feelings.

Weak Body Type (身弱型)

People with a weak body type tend to have a more gentle and humble personality. They are sensitive, careful, and more easily affected by external energies. They are cautious and focus on details. They thrive in collaborative environments or in careers that require creativity and sensitivity, such as consulting, service industries, education, or the arts. Their main challenge is to build self-confidence, learn to leverage the strengths of others, and avoid excessive self-criticism or internal conflict.

Follower Chart – Strong Day Master Type (从强型)

This is a special Bazi configuration where the chart is almost entirely made up of supportive energies, making the individual extremely focused and goal-oriented. They are very determined once they set a goal and will do whatever it takes to achieve it. If their energies align with favorable trends in their Bazi chart, they can achieve extraordinary success in their chosen fields. However, they should be cautious not to become too self-centered and need to adjust their strategies as they move through different life cycles. Overzealousness could lead to setbacks.

Follower Chart – Weak Day Master Type (从弱型)

This is a special configuration where most of the energies in the chart are weak or draining, which makes the person highly adaptable and skilled at going with the flow. These individuals excel in environments with clear structures and rules, such as large corporations or government institutions, and they can profit by integrating resources effectively. The challenge for these people is to maintain their principles and avoid compromising too much or losing their sense of self.

曲直格 (Wood-Dominant)

Extremely rare configuration. One dominant element in the Bazi Chart. People with this configuration have a dominant wood element, making them resilient and creative, with strong leadership potential. They are well-suited for careers in culture, education, planning, or design. However, they need to watch out for the imbalanced nature of their Bazi, which could lead to difficulties if not properly aligned with favorable life cycles.

炎上格 (Fire Dominant)

Extremely rare configuration. One dominant element in the Bazi Chart. Individuals with a dominant fire element are passionate, energetic, and quick to act. They are perfect for entrepreneurial ventures, technological innovation, or marketing industries that require high levels of action. Like other rare configurations, their success depends on aligning their life cycles with favorable energy trends.

从革格 (Metal Dominant)

Extremely rare configuration. One dominant element in the Bazi Chart. Those with a dominant metal element are decisive, principled, and quick-thinking. They excel in careers related to law, the military, finance, or surgery. Their challenge is to maintain balance, as their focused energy can be vulnerable to misalignments with unfavorable cycles.

润下格 (Water Dominant)

Extremely rare configuration. One dominant element in the Bazi Chart. Dominated by water, these individuals are adaptable, personable, and excel in fields requiring fluid movement and information integration, such as international trade, media, and diplomacy. However, they are also emotionally sensitive, and their success depends on emotional stability. If they face unfavorable cycles, they may experience significant setbacks.

稼穑格 (Earth Dominant)

Extremely rare configuration. One dominant element in the Bazi Chart. With a strong earth element, these individuals are steady, responsible, and loyal. They excel in industries focused on long-term development, such as real estate, academia, or infrastructure. Their success comes from building steadily over time and expanding cautiously.

甲己化土 (Wood to Earth Transformation Harmony)

Extremely rare patterns where a person’s main elemental energy transforms into a different type, leading to significant potential for success if the transformation aligns with favorable cycles. This configuration indicates stability, a strong sense of responsibility, and a focus on principles. It is best suited for careers in construction, project management, or public service. People with this pattern must avoid becoming stagnant or encountering unfavorable life cycles that might derail their progress.

乙庚化金 (Wood to Metal Transformation Harmony)

Extremely rare patterns where a person’s main elemental energy transforms into a different type, leading to significant potential for success if the transformation aligns with favorable cycles. People with this transformation are flexible, trustworthy, and adept at executing plans. They excel in law, finance, and quality control. Success comes from their ability to combine gentleness with firmness, but they must remain adaptable to changing circumstances. 

丙辛化水 (Fire to Water Transformation Harmony)

Extremely rare patterns where a person’s main elemental energy transforms into a different type, leading to significant potential for success if the transformation aligns with favorable cycles. Individuals with this transformation are resourceful, quick-thinking, and skilled in strategy and integration. They thrive in fields like public relations, international affairs, and data management. Emotional intelligence is key to their success, but they must guard against volatility during unfavorable cycles.

丁壬化木 (Fire to Wood Transformation Harmony)

Extremely rare patterns where a person’s main elemental energy transforms into a different type, leading to significant potential for success if the transformation aligns with favorable cycles. People with this transformation are compassionate, long-term thinkers, and highly adaptable. They are well-suited for careers in healthcare, education, or environmental development. Success depends on their ability to maintain a broad vision and patience.

戊癸化火 (Earth to Fire Transformation Harmony)

Extremely rare patterns where a person’s main elemental energy transforms into a different type, leading to significant potential for success if the transformation aligns with favorable cycles. Dominated by fire, these individuals are passionate, bold, and willing to take risks. They excel in fields like entertainment, marketing, venture capital, or competitive sports. Their success depends on seizing opportunities, but they must avoid reckless behavior during adverse cycles.

Step 3 & 4 will be covered in my part 2 post. Stay tuned!