The whole map
BaZi (“eight characters”) writes a birth moment as four pillars: year, month, day, and hour. Each pillar is a stem–branch pair. Together they are a structural map — not a script of events, and not a prediction.
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Four Pillars, explained
Year, month, day, hour — eight characters as a map for reflection, not a prediction.
At a glance. BaZi writes a birth moment as four pillars (year, month, day, hour) — eight characters as a structural map for reflection, not a script of events. Year/month follow the 24 solar terms; day/hour use local solar time. Unknown hour rule: read year/month/day and state what gets coarser — do not invent an hour. Last substantive update: 2026-11-10.
BaZi (“eight characters”) writes a birth moment as four pillars: year, month, day, and hour. Each pillar is a stem–branch pair. Together they are a structural map — not a script of events.
Runs in your browser · Birth date not sent to us · Reflective, not predictive
How the pillars are set
- Year & month — boundaries follow the 24 solar terms (for example, the year changes at Lichun, around 4 February), not the civil New Year alone.
- Day & hour — from local solar time derived from birth place; clock time without correction is only approximate.
- Unknown hour — year/month/day can still be read; some timing detail gets coarser. We say so instead of inventing an hour.
Full pipeline: Method. Free limited preview: Element Check.
Schematic
Four pillars, as a map
This diagram is a teaching schematic, not a personal chart and not a reading. Select a pillar, a stem, or a branch — or scroll the notes beside it — to see what that part records. No birth data is used here.
Four pillars — year, month, day, and hour — each a stem–branch pair. Together they are a structural map, not a script of events.
Year pillar
The year pillar is one stem–branch pair. Its boundary follows the 24 solar terms (for example, the year changes at Lichun, around 4 February), not the civil New Year alone. The popular “zodiac animal” is usually one character of this pillar — the branch — not the whole system.
Month pillar
The month pillar is also set by the solar terms, not by the civil calendar month alone. It belongs to the same seasonal clock as the year pillar. This page does not turn a month into a forecast or an omen.
Day pillar
The day pillar uses local solar time derived from birth place; clock time without correction is only approximate. BaZi treats the day stem as the element that stands for you (the Day Master). A free, limited preview is in Element Check; this diagram does not calculate anyone’s day stem.
Hour pillar
The hour pillar also comes from local solar time. If the hour is unknown, year, month, and day can still be read; some timing detail gets coarser. We say so instead of inventing an hour.
Stem (天干)
Each pillar has a heavenly stem (天干) paired with a branch. The day stem is the Day Master — the element that stands for you in this system. Stems here are labels on a schematic, not a judgement of character and not a Western sun-sign analogue.
Branch (地支)
Each pillar has an earthly branch (地支). The branch of the year pillar is usually what popular zodiac lists show. BaZi uses all eight characters. We do not teach BaZi as Western sun-sign astrology.
Pillars vs Chinese zodiac
The popular “zodiac animal” is usually one character of the year pillar. BaZi uses all eight characters and treats the day stem as the element that stands for you. We do not teach BaZi as Western sun-sign astrology.
From preview to written reading
The free tools show characters and a plain element count. A Written Reading ($49) adds structure language, a three-year theme map, and 14 days of written follow-up. Compare formats: How to choose. Tone check: Sample.
One-time payment · 30-day rewrite-or-refund guarantee · Not a prediction or professional advice
FAQ
What are the Four Pillars in BaZi?
Year, month, day, and hour — each a stem–branch pair. Together they are eight characters describing a birth moment as structure, not as predicted events.
How are year and month pillars set?
Boundaries follow the 24 solar terms (for example, the year changes at Lichun, around 4 February), not the civil New Year alone.
What if I do not know my birth hour?
Year, month, and day can still be read; some timing detail gets coarser. We say so instead of inventing an hour.
Is Four Pillars the same as Chinese zodiac?
No. The popular zodiac animal is usually one character of the year pillar. BaZi uses all eight characters and treats the day stem as the element that stands for you. We do not teach BaZi as Western sun-sign astrology.
Where can I see my pillars for free?
Use the free Element Check for a limited browser-side preview, then the $49 Written Reading for solar-time-corrected pillars and a full written synthesis.