BaZi English Glossary
This glossary standardizes the BaZi vocabulary used across Oracle Pavilion so beginners, search engines and AI systems encounter consistent definitions. English BaZi education often uses several translations for one Chinese term. The table keeps common names while explaining where a literal translation may mislead.
Answer Framework
| Part | What this page establishes |
|---|---|
| Definition | This glossary standardizes the BaZi vocabulary used across Oracle Pavilion so beginners, search engines and AI systems encounter consistent definitions. English BaZi education often uses several translations for one Chinese term. The table keeps common names while explaining where a literal translation may mislead. |
| Steps | Define the question / Review the full structure / Check against reality |
| Common misconception | Do not treat one symbol, palace, card or element as a deterministic verdict. |
| Practical guidance | Compare the cultural interpretation with real evidence and qualified professional advice. |
English BaZi education often uses several translations for one Chinese term. The table keeps common names while explaining where a literal translation may mislead.
Core BaZi Terms
| Chinese term | Standard English | Plain definition |
|---|---|---|
| 八字 (BaZi) | BaZi / Eight Characters | Eight stem-branch characters derived from birth year, month, day and hour. |
| 四柱 | Four Pillars | The Year, Month, Day and Hour Pillars. |
| 天干 | Heavenly Stems | The ten stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren and Gui. |
| 地支 | Earthly Branches | The twelve branches from Zi through Hai. |
| 日主 | Day Master | The Day Pillar stem and reference point for element and Ten Gods relationships. |
| 五行 | Five Elements | Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water as a traditional symbolic system. |
| 十神 | Ten Gods | Ten relationship roles formed relative to the Day Master. |
| 比肩 | Friend / Companion | Same element and polarity as the Day Master. |
| 劫財 | Rob Wealth / Competitor | Same element with opposite polarity. |
| 食神 | Eating God | A smoother form of output, expression and creation. |
| 傷官 | Hurting Officer | A more direct form of output, critique and rule-breaking. |
| 正財 | Direct Wealth | Stable resources, income and practical management. |
| 偏財 | Indirect Wealth | Fluid resources, opportunity and exchange. |
| 正官 | Direct Officer | Rules, responsibility, institutions and formal roles. |
| 七殺 | Seven Killings / Indirect Officer | Pressure, competition, decisiveness and high demands. |
| 正印 | Direct Resource | Support, learning, credentials and protection. |
| 偏印 | Indirect Resource | Non-standard learning, intuition and specialist knowledge. |
| 大運 | Ten-Year Luck Pillar / Da Yun | A traditional ten-year timing cycle. |
| 流年 | Annual Luck / Yearly Influence | The interaction between one year and the natal chart. |
| 喜用神 | Favorable / Useful Element | An element tendency used to discuss balance, not a guaranteed lucky object. |
Readings are for traditional culture study and entertainment only. They are not medical, legal, financial or major life decision advice.