What is a chart pattern, and why does it matter most?

The pattern (格局) is the highest-level judgement in BaZi — it determines the person's core life model and primary Useful God direction. Zi Ping Zhen Quan holds that "BaZi varies endlessly, yet never departs from the pattern." It is set by the Month Command (月令) and is the starting point of analysis; misjudge it and the Useful God and luck-cycle reading drift systematically.

What are the eight standard patterns?

The eight standard patterns (正格): Established Wealth (建禄), Blade (羊刃), Eating God (食神), Hurting Officer (伤官), Indirect Wealth (偏财), Direct Wealth (正财), Seven Killings (七杀), and Direct Officer (正官) — each determined by which Ten God the Month Command projects through the Stems.

How strict are the conditions for a follow pattern?

Follow patterns (从格) form only when the Day Master is extremely weak and the chart is radically imbalanced, forcing it to "follow" the dominant element — e.g. Follow-Children (从儿), Follow-Wealth (从财), Follow-Killings (从杀). The conditions are severe: the Day Master must be genuinely rootless; any trace of Resource or Peer root breaks the pattern — the most common misdiagnosis here.

How is the Useful God chosen for an Eating God pattern?

An Eating God pattern (食神格) forms when the Month Command projects the Eating God — marked by creativity, talent and expression. The orthodox Useful God selection (Zi Ping Zhen Quan): Eating God producing Wealth is ideal — wealth flows with talent; Resource (印) that controls the Eating God is avoided, as it removes the Useful God. Even within one pattern, selection still depends on strength and structure.

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BaZi Chart Patterns

The pattern is the highest-level call in a chart — it sets the life model and the Useful God.

What is a chart pattern, and why does it matter most?: The pattern (格局) is the highest-level judgement in BaZi — it determines the person's core life model and primary Useful God direction. Zi Ping Zhen Quan holds that "BaZi varies endlessly, yet never departs from the pattern." It is set by the Month Command (月令) and is the starting point of analysis; misjudge it and the Useful God and luck-cycle reading drift systematically.
What are the eight standard patterns?: The eight standard patterns (正格): Established Wealth (建禄), Blade (羊刃), Eating God (食神), Hurting Officer (伤官), Indirect Wealth (偏财), Direct Wealth (正财), Seven Killings (七杀), and Direct Officer (正官) — each determined by which Ten God the Month Command projects through the Stems.
How strict are the conditions for a follow pattern?: Follow patterns (从格) form only when the Day Master is extremely weak and the chart is radically imbalanced, forcing it to "follow" the dominant element — e.g. Follow-Children (从儿), Follow-Wealth (从财), Follow-Killings (从杀). The conditions are severe: the Day Master must be genuinely rootless; any trace of Resource or Peer root breaks the pattern — the most common misdiagnosis here.
How is the Useful God chosen for an Eating God pattern?: An Eating God pattern (食神格) forms when the Month Command projects the Eating God — marked by creativity, talent and expression. The orthodox Useful God selection (Zi Ping Zhen Quan): Eating God producing Wealth is ideal — wealth flows with talent; Resource (印) that controls the Eating God is avoided, as it removes the Useful God. Even within one pattern, selection still depends on strength and structure.

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