Okay, you’ve plotted your BaZi chart. Now you’ve got a chart, but as far as you’re concerned, it might as well be Egyptian Hieroglyphics since you have absolutely no idea what you’re looking at anyway.

And despite the theory that you can find out just about anything on the Internet, this is not the case when it comes to BaZi.

So here is the Bare Bones Guide to the BaZi chart (as gleaned from the searches that have been turning up this blog).

Lesson #1: What does a BaZi chart look like?

A BaZi chart always comprises of the Natal chart and the Luck Pillars. The Natal Chart is the basic Eight Characters, as per below.

It represents your LIFE. Poker term: Hand you get dealt.

The Luck Pillars is the Dynamic component of the chart – it interacts with, interlocks with, makes music with, and sometimes, has horrendous arguments with the Natal chart. Here are what the Luck Pillars look like.

It represents your LUCK. Poker term: How you play the hand.

When looking at a BaZi chart, we have to look at BOTH components. You can’t look at one without the other. Hence that old Cantonese saying: First LIFE, Second, LUCK, Third (and only third!), FENG SHUI.

Lesson #2: What is the Day Master?

The Day Master is simply, the Stem (Metal, Water, Earth, Fire, Wood) that represents the Day you are born. This is the defining feature of your BaZi chart. Everything begins, and ends, with the Day Master. (and no, this cannot be MISSING. Everyone has a Day Master).

From your Day Master, a BaZi consultant can usually tell a great deal about your character, and from that alone, a intuitive consultant can also infer a great deal about your relationship with your spouse, your siblings and your mother-in-law (based on their Day Master’s interaction with your Day Master).