The ten Heavenly Stems (甲乙丙丁戊己庚辛壬癸) used in the Sexagenary Cycle. In Da Liu Ren, the Day Stem is the primary reference point for constructing the Four Lessons.

The twelve Earthly Branches (子丑寅卯辰巳午未申酉戌亥) forming the basis of the time system. They carry Five Element properties and form complex relationships (combinations, clashes, punishments).

The 60 combinations of 10 Stems and 12 Branches used to mark years, months, days, and hours. The cycle begins with 甲子 and ends with 癸亥.

The fundamental duality in Chinese cosmology. Each Stem and Branch has a Yin or Yang polarity, which influences how relationships and lessons are interpreted.

The five phases — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water — governing all cyclical change. Every Stem, Branch, and Spirit General carries an elemental nature central to interpretation.

The first Heavenly Stem, associated with Yang Wood. Symbolizes the sprouting of new life, leadership, and the east.

The second Heavenly Stem, Yin Wood. Represents flexibility, growth, and the winding of vines — gentle yet persistent.

The third Heavenly Stem, Yang Fire. Symbolizes blazing sunlight, brilliance, and outward expansion.

The fourth Heavenly Stem, Yin Fire. Represents candlelight, warmth, and focused energy — gentle but illuminating.

The fifth Heavenly Stem, Yang Earth. Symbolizes mountains, stability, and the central axis around which all things revolve.

The sixth Heavenly Stem, Yin Earth. Represents fertile soil, nurturing, and the capacity to absorb and transform.

The seventh Heavenly Stem, Yang Metal. Symbolizes the blade, decisive action, and the cutting force of autumn.

The eighth Heavenly Stem, Yin Metal. Represents jewels, refinement, and the sharp but delicate edge of precision.

The ninth Heavenly Stem, Yang Water. Symbolizes the vast ocean, great rivers, and boundless flowing wisdom. The namesake of Da Liu Ren.

The tenth and final Heavenly Stem, Yin Water. Represents rain, dew, and gentle nourishment — the last drop before renewal.

The first Branch, Yang Water, symbolized by the Rat. Represents the midnight hour (23:00–01:00) and the seed of all beginnings.

The second Branch, Yin Earth, symbolized by the Ox. Represents the deep cold before dawn (01:00–03:00) and stored potential.

The third Branch, Yang Wood, symbolized by the Tiger. Represents the first stirrings of spring (03:00–05:00) and bold emergence.

The fourth Branch, Yin Wood, symbolized by the Rabbit. Represents sunrise (05:00–07:00), spring growth, and the east.

The fifth Branch, Yang Earth, symbolized by the Dragon. Represents the morning hours (07:00–09:00) and the transformation of seasons.

The sixth Branch, Yin Fire, symbolized by the Snake. Represents mid-morning (09:00–11:00) and the rising intensity of Yang energy.

The seventh Branch, Yang Fire, symbolized by the Horse. Represents the zenith of the sun (11:00–13:00) and peak Yang energy.

The eighth Branch, Yin Earth, symbolized by the Goat. Represents early afternoon (13:00–15:00) and the ripening of summer.

The ninth Branch, Yang Metal, symbolized by the Monkey. Represents late afternoon (15:00–17:00) and the beginning of autumn's contraction.

The tenth Branch, Yin Metal, symbolized by the Rooster. Represents sunset (17:00–19:00) and the gathering of harvest.

The eleventh Branch, Yang Earth, symbolized by the Dog. Represents twilight (19:00–21:00) and the guard between day and night.

The twelfth and final Branch, Yin Water, symbolized by the Pig. Represents deep night (21:00–23:00) and the completion of the cycle before renewal.

The upper rotating plate that represents current temporal conditions. It is formed by placing the Monthly General onto the corresponding Earth Plate position and rotating according to the time branch.

The fixed lower plate with the twelve Earthly Branches arranged in their standard positions (子 at north, 午 at south). It serves as the foundation onto which the Heaven Plate is mapped.

The twelve generals assigned to each solar month based on the position of the sun in the zodiac. The Monthly General occupying the time branch's position determines the Heaven Plate layout.

The two-hour period within the Chinese timekeeping system, each associated with one of the twelve Earthly Branches. It determines where the Monthly General sits on the Heaven Plate.

The overall structural format of a Da Liu Ren chart, encompassing the Heaven-Earth plates, Four Lessons, and Three Transmissions as a unified divinatory framework.

The process of "superimposing" the Heaven Plate onto the Earth Plate. The Monthly General is placed on the time branch position, then all branches shift accordingly to form the Heaven Plate layout.

The combined Heaven and Earth plate system that forms the base layer of every Da Liu Ren chart. The interplay between the fixed Earth Plate and rotating Heaven Plate generates all temporal relationships.

The four positions derived from the Day Stem and Day Branch on the Heaven Plate. They represent the querent's current situation and form the basis for deriving the Three Transmissions.

The three dynamic positions (Beginning, Middle, End) derived from the Four Lessons through specific overcoming methods. They reveal the progression and outcome of the inquiry.

The first of the Three Transmissions, representing the initiating cause or the current situation's driving force. Also called the "use" (用) — the spirit that activates the matter.

The second transmission, representing the process or development phase of the matter. It shows how the situation unfolds between its cause and conclusion.

The third and final transmission, representing the outcome, resolution, or destination of the inquiry. Its nature determines whether the matter concludes favorably.

The Heavenly Stem of the day the chart is cast. It represents the querent and is the primary reference for building the upper two of the Four Lessons.

The Earthly Branch of the day. It represents the querent's environment, home, or partner, and is the reference for the lower two of the Four Lessons.

The upper position of each lesson pair, derived from the Heaven Plate position of the stem or branch below. Represents the outward, active dimension of the situation.

The lower position of each lesson pair, representing the Earth Plate position of the stem or branch. Represents the inward, foundational dimension of the situation.

The primary method for deriving the Three Transmissions. When a stem or branch in the lessons overcomes (克) another, the overcoming relationship generates the first transmission.

A secondary method used when multiple overcoming relationships exist. The branch with the same Yin-Yang polarity as the Day Stem is selected for the transmission.

A method used when branches of the same polarity both overcome. The branch that passes through more harmful (overcoming) relationships on its journey is selected.

A method used when no direct overcoming exists within the lessons. The Day Stem is checked for distant overcoming relationships with branches in the lessons that are not directly above or below.

A special method triggered when no overcoming or comparison is possible. For Yang days, 酉 (Rooster) is used; for Yin days, the branch opposite to the Day Stem on the heaven plate is used.

A method used when lessons repeat or have identical upper and lower positions. The stem's combination partner or a special substitute branch is used to derive the transmission.

A method for the eight stem-branch combinations where the stem and branch share the same element (甲寅, 乙卯, 丙巳, 丁午, 庚申, 辛酉, 壬亥, 癸子). Special rules apply due to the overlapping nature.

The primary spirit general, representing nobility, help from influential people, and auspicious assistance. Its position is determined by the Day Stem and the hour, and it governs the arrangement of all other generals.

Represents fear, anxiety, strange occurrences, and unexpected disturbances. When prominent, it can indicate fright, suspicion, or matters involving the supernatural.

Represents communication, documents, lawsuits, and verbal matters. When active, it points to letters, contracts, arguments, or issues involving speech and writing.

Represents harmony, marriage, contracts, unions, and cooperative ventures. One of the most auspicious generals, indicating things coming together naturally.

Represents disputes, litigation, entanglement, and stagnation. When prominent, it suggests legal matters, property disputes, or being "hooked" into a situation.

Represents wealth, joy, celebrations, and auspicious beginnings. One of the most favorable generals, indicating prosperity, new ventures, and happy occasions.

Represents emptiness, deception, spiritual matters, and unrealized plans. Can indicate fraud or illusions, but also spiritual practice and letting go.

Represents danger, injury, illness, and fierce change. One of the most inauspicious generals, indicating blood, accidents, or severe disruption. Also represents military authority.

Represents clothing, food, ceremonies, and stable routines. Indicates matters related to sustenance, ritual, official dress, and the steady maintenance of life.

Represents theft, deception, darkness, and hidden matters. When prominent, it warns of stolen goods, secret enemies, or things concealed from view.

Represents secrecy, hidden assistance, feminine energy, and quiet blessings. Indicates help from behind the scenes, private matters, or women's influence.

Represents women, marriage, emotional matters, and the querent's spouse (in certain contexts). Indicates feminine authority, the wife, or matters of the heart.

The productive cycle: Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood. Represents nourishment and support.

The controlling cycle: Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Metal, Metal overcomes Wood. Represents restriction and discipline.

Represents growth, expansion, benevolence, and the east. Associated with spring, the color green, the liver, and the emotion of anger (frustrated growth).

Represents brilliance, passion, propriety, and the south. Associated with summer, the color red, the heart, and the emotion of joy.

Represents stability, centrality, trustworthiness, and the center. Associated with the transitions between seasons, the color yellow, the spleen, and the emotion of worry.

Represents precision, righteousness, contraction, and the west. Associated with autumn, the color white, the lungs, and the emotion of grief.

Represents wisdom, flow, adaptability, and the north. Associated with winter, the color black, the kidneys, and the emotion of fear.

The state of full strength — when an element is in its peak season. Fire prospers in summer, Water in winter, etc. Represents maximum power and influence in the chart.

The state of secondary strength — the element generated by the prospering element. When Fire prospers, Wood "rests" (assists). Represents supportive background energy.

The state of withdrawal — the element that generates the prospering element. When Fire prospers, Earth "retires." Represents weakened but not threatened energy.

The state of confinement — the element that the prospering element overcomes. When Fire prospers, Metal is "imprisoned." Represents energy under pressure and restriction.

The state of utmost weakness — the element that overcomes the prospering element. When Fire prospers, Water is "dead." Represents the weakest possible condition in the current season.

A supplementary state sometimes used alongside the five standard states. Represents complete depletion — energy that has been used up and offers no remaining strength.

The five states of elemental strength: Prosper, Rest, Retire, Imprison, Dead. Every element cycles through these states depending on the season, forming the basis for strength assessment in chart interpretation.

The overall pattern or configuration of a Da Liu Ren chart. Named patterns (such as 连茹, 间传, etc.) indicate specific types of situations and outcomes.

The specific matter being divined — career, marriage, travel, illness, litigation, etc. The subject determines which elements and positions carry the most interpretive weight.

The spirit or position most relevant to the inquiry subject. For example, in career questions, the stem representing the official position is the Useful Spirit. Its strength determines the answer.

The spirit that harms or restricts the Useful Spirit. Its presence and strength indicate obstacles, opposition, or unfavorable conditions for the matter inquired about.

The two branches not covered by the Day Stem's Sexagenary Cycle pairing. Branches in Void Palace are considered "empty" — their influence is weakened, delayed, or unrealized.

A special branch derived from the Day Branch's Three Harmony group, representing movement, travel, and rapid change. When prominent, it indicates journeys, relocation, or swift developments.

A romantic or sensual branch derived from the Day Branch's same-element cycle. Its presence indicates romantic encounters, attractiveness, or matters involving desire and passion.

A monthly auspicious point that brings heavenly grace and protection. When the Heavenly Virtue occupies a key position, it can neutralize misfortune and bring unexpected blessings.

A monthly auspicious star that brings gentle blessings and mitigates harm. Works alongside the Heavenly Virtue to provide protection and positive influence in the chart.

The combination partner of the Heavenly Virtue branch. Doubles the protective and auspicious influence when both the virtue and its combination partner appear in the chart.

Groups of three branches that share an elemental affinity: 申子辰 (Water), 寅午戌 (Fire), 巳酉丑 (Metal), 亥卯未 (Wood). When three branches of a group appear, they form a powerful combined energy.

Six pairs of branches that naturally combine: 子丑, 寅亥, 卯戌, 辰酉, 巳申, 午未. When paired in the chart, they indicate harmony, cooperation, and things coming together.

Six pairs of branches in direct opposition: 子午, 丑未, 寅申, 卯酉, 辰戌, 巳亥. When clashing in the chart, they indicate conflict, separation, disruption, and sudden change.

Branch punishment relationships: 寅巳申 (Three Punishments), 丑戌未 (Ungrateful Punishment), 子卯 (Rudeness Punishment), and self-punishments (辰午酉亥). Indicates legal trouble, harm, or karmic retribution.

Six pairs of branches in a harmful relationship: 子未, 丑午, 寅巳, 卯辰, 申亥, 酉戌. Represents hidden damage, betrayal, or indirect harm — less severe than clashes but insidious.

The "Great Six Ren" — one of the three supreme divination systems of ancient China. Named after the ninth Heavenly Stem 壬 (Water), it uses the interaction of time, elements, and celestial spirits to divine outcomes.

The three highest divination systems of ancient China: Da Liu Ren (大六壬), Qi Men Dun Jia (奇门遁甲), and Tai Yi Shen Shu (太乙神数). Together they form the pinnacle of Chinese predictive arts.

The "Mysterious Gates Escaping Technique" — a divination and strategy system using eight gates, nine stars, and the eight trigrams. Second of the Three Supreme Arts, often used for military strategy and timing.

The "Supreme One Divine Numbers" — the first of the Three Supreme Arts, traditionally used for predicting large-scale events, dynastic fate, and cosmic cycles. The most celestial of the three systems.

A Da Liu Ren chart or "lesson" — derived from the character 壬 (the ninth stem). The term emphasizes that each chart is a teaching, a lesson from heaven about the nature of the situation.

The point at which the First Transmission (初传) is determined — the moment the divinatory mechanism "activates." The activated branch becomes the focal point for interpreting the matter's onset and direction.