Hu Shi was a renowned modern Chinese scholar, thinker, educator, and diplomat. A leading figure in the May Fourth Movement, he championed vernacular Chinese literature and pragmatism, serving simultaneously as a professor at Peking University and as the ambassador to the United States. His life was defined by academic innovation, public influence, and diplomatic and administrative prowess, marking him as one of the most impactful figures in modern Chinese history.
BaZi Chart
Verification of Birth Time
In Hu Shi's BaZi, the Day Master is Ding Fire, born in the month of Chou. Chou is damp Earth, which can control Fire, rendering the Ding Fire Day Master slightly weak. The Year Pillar features Indirect Wealth (Pian Cai), Xin Mao; Indirect Wealth governs fortune, fame, and profit, but it also acts as Indirect Resource, indicating that alongside his pursuit of renown, Hu Shi possessed profound academic attainment. The Month Pillar holds Direct Wealth (Zheng Cai), Geng Zi; Direct Wealth represents family and wife, while Geng Metal acts as Seven Killings (Qi Sha), suggesting that Hu Shi might encounter certain challenges in his family life. The Day Pillar is the primary individual, Ding Chou; as the Ding Fire Day Master is weak, it requires external support. The Hour Pillar bears Direct Officer (Zheng Guan), Ren Yin; Direct Officer governs career and status, with Ren Water acting as Direct Officer and Yin Wood as Direct Resource, signifying that Hu Shi would achieve considerable success in his career.
Core Analysis
Centered on the Ding Fire Day Master, Hu Shi's chart hides within Chou, where Earth controls Fire, concealing multiple Ten Gods. The chart prominently displays the image of the Eating God (Shi Shen) generating Wealth, aided by Friend (Bi Jian), Rob Wealth (Jie Cai), and Resource stars, reflecting his innate talent for academic expression and rational inquiry. Because the Ding Fire is weak, it requires external support (from Friends and Resources) to truly shine.
The progression of his Luck Pillars aligns remarkably with the milestones of his life: the early Luck Pillars of Ji Hai and Wu Xu were periods of literary flair and exploration, facilitating his overseas studies and literary creation; the 1915–1924 Ding You Friend period was conducive to academic independence and collective influence; the 1935–1954 Yi Wei and Jia Wu Resource periods solidified his academic and diplomatic standing; and the 1955–1964 Gui Si Seven Killings period highlighted the impact of health issues and stress. Overall, his life trajectory emphasizes both academic innovation and public influence, albeit accompanied by the volatility of the conflict between Seven Killings and Rob Wealth.
Trait Analysis
- Academic Innovation: Due to the prominent Eating God structure in his chart, it manifests as intellectual freedom and strong expressive power in writing. The BaZi basis for this is the Eating God generating Wealth, which favors literary and philosophical innovation.
- Public Influence: Supported by Friend and Rob Wealth, alongside prominent Resource stars, it demonstrates self-advocacy and organizational influence. Astrologically, this corresponds to his ability to drive the New Culture Movement and educational reform.
- Diplomatic and Administrative Ability: In his later years, the Luck Pillars brought Resource stars (such as Yi Wei and Jia Wu), forming an image of intellectual support and steadiness that favored taking on public roles such as ambassador abroad and research institute director.
- Health and Stress Resistance: In his chart, Ding Fire is suppressed by Earth and clashed by Seven Killings; coupled with controlling and clashing elements appearing in his Luck Pillars, this astrologically points to health and stress as his vulnerabilities in middle and late life.
Life Timeline
1895: Loss of the Father Star, Awakening of the Literary Star
When Hu Shi was four years old, his father passed away, an event that had a profound impact on his upbringing. BaZi analysis: This year, Hu Shi was in the Ji Hai Luck Pillar. The Earthly Branch Hai of the Luck Pillar formed a directional frame of Water (Hai, Zi, Chou) with the month branch Zi and day branch Chou in his natal chart. The power of Officer and Killings (Water) reached its peak, exerting immense pressure on the Ding Fire Day Master. Furthermore, as abundant Water conquers Fire, and Fire serves as the Officer and Killings to the father star (Indirect Wealth Xin Metal), it foretold a disaster for his father. In the Annual Pillar, Yi Wei, the Heavenly Stem Yi Wood clashed with and overcame the year stem Xin Metal (Indirect Wealth, representing the father). This is a clear signal of disaster striking the father, known as the "Annual Pillar clashing the father star." The Earthly Branches Chou and Wei clashed, destabilizing the foundation of the Day Pillar and signifying internal family turmoil. However, the Annual Pillar, Year Pillar, and the Luck Pillar Hai formed a three-harmony frame of Wood (Hai-Mao-Wei). Wood represents the Resource star (a favorable element), which governs studies, documents, and the mother. This indicates that amidst the family tragedy (the loss of his father), the power of his mother (Resource) was activated. She brought him back to their hometown and initiated his schooling (entering a private school), using the strength of the Resource star to mitigate the controlling force of Officer and Killings, thus lighting the first ray of knowledge in his solitary life.
1904: An Arranged Betrothal Decides a Lifetime
At the age of thirteen, Hu Shi's family arranged for him to be betrothed to a distant relative, Jiang Dongxiu. This initiated a long engagement that eventually led to marriage. BaZi analysis: This year, the chart native was thirteen, passing through the Ji Hai Luck Pillar. In the Annual Pillar, Jia Chen, the Luck Pillar stem Ji Earth combined with the Annual Pillar stem Jia Wood. This combination of Direct Resource relates to family and elder matters being triggered. The natal chart itself featured an overpowering Water element as an unfavorable element; the Luck Pillar branch Hai further formed a directional frame of Water with Zi and Chou, bringing the power of Officer and Killings to its zenith. This represents immense pressure and constraints from family and societal rules. Against this backdrop, the Annual Pillar stem Jia Wood (Direct Resource), though a favorable element, simultaneously clashed with the Heavenly Stems of the Month and Hour Pillars, Geng Metal (Direct Wealth, which represents the wife star in a male chart). This formed a structure where the Annual Pillar clashed with the wife star, signifying that external forces would intervene and alter romantic relationships. In summary, the Ji-Jia combination activated the intentions of family elders, while the powerful three-harmony frame of Officer and Killings and the clash to the wife star jointly precipitated this family-arranged, strongly traditional engagement—a classic case of "parental orders and matchmaker's words."
1910: Crossing the Ocean, Enrolling at Cornell
Relying on his outstanding grades, Hu Shi won the second Boxer Indemnity Scholarship. As a student of the China Public School, he traveled to the United States and entered Cornell University, officially beginning his academic career. BaZi analysis: This year fell within the Wu Xu Hurting Officer (Shang Guan) Luck Pillar, and the Annual Pillar was Geng Xu. Both the Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar featured Xu Earth, amplifying the energy of the Hurting Officer. The Hurting Officer governs talent, learning, and long journeys, making it a classic signal for pursuing studies abroad. More crucially, the Year Pillar's Mao Wood combined with the Xu Earth of the Luck and Annual Pillars. This Mao-Xu combination successfully transformed into Fire. Fire represents the Friend and Rob Wealth of the Ding Fire Day Master, an element highly favored by the natal chart. This combination activated the Year Pillar (representing distant places, ancestry, and the nation), and with Fire gaining rooting in the branches during this annual cycle, it meant he would receive energetic support in a foreign land (America), feeling inwardly resolute and clear in his goals. At the same time, the Xu Earth from the Luck and Annual Pillars formed a punishment (Chou-Xu punishment) with the day branch Chou Earth. This punishment unlocked the Eating God storage in the Day Pillar, signifying changes and the initiation of new fields of study. All of this precisely fulfilled his major life turning point of crossing the ocean and changing his academic discipline (switching from agriculture to the humanities).
1915: Crossing the Ocean, Studying Under Dewey to Usher in a New Era of Thought
Hu Shi entered the philosophy department at Columbia University to study under the pragmatist philosopher John Dewey, systematically researching philosophy and education, laying a solid foundation for the formation of his future ideological system. BaZi analysis: This year coincided with the onset of the Ding You Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar formed a heavenly clash and earthly clash with the Year Pillar Xin Mao. This is a signal of major life transformation, portending drastic environmental shifts and long journeys. The Annual Pillar, Yi Mao, brought Indirect Resource (Wood) to the heavenly stems—exactly the arrival of a favorable element, highly beneficial for learning, research, and intellectual elevation. The natal chart, Luck Pillar, and Annual Pillar formed a Mao-You clash; the clash brings movement, and movement brings change, directly triggering the opportunity to study abroad. The symbolic stars in the Luck and Annual Pillars gathered the Academic Star, Taiji Nobleman, and General Star, indicating that this phase was a golden period for deep learning, awakening wisdom, and emerging in the academic field. The chart structure is a Seven Killings structure, which favors using Resource to transform Killings. With the Resource star highly effective this year, it was a crucial step in using knowledge to dissolve pressure and turn challenges into achievements.
1917: Returning to Teach at Peking University, Leading the Vernacular Literature Revolution
After completing his studies in the United States, Hu Shi returned to China and was appointed as a professor at Peking University. He joined the editorial board of New Youth and published Preliminary Suggestions for Literary Reform, using his "Eight Don'ts" to lay the theoretical foundation for the vernacular literature movement, becoming a core figure in the New Culture Movement. BaZi analysis: This year fell right in the Ding You Luck Pillar (1915–1924), which formed a heavenly clash and earthly clash with the Year Pillar Xin Mao. This is a strong signal of a major life transition, indicating drastic environmental changes and career shifts. The Annual Pillar Ding Si, along with the Day Pillar Ding Chou and Luck Pillar Ding You, formed a Si-You-Chou three-harmony frame of Metal. This is a Wealth frame, but Metal acts as an unfavorable element in the natal chart, signifying that immense realistic pressure and opportunities coexisted. The Heavenly Virtue Nobleman and National Seal Nobleman appeared simultaneously, representing recognition and protection from official or authoritative institutions, indicating strong benefactor luck. The chart native was a weak Day Master who favored Wood and Fire. The abundant Fire in the Annual Pillar provided Friendly support, filling him with inner strength and independent conviction, and giving him the courage to take on heavy responsibilities. This is precisely the astrological foundation for his ability to rapidly emerge and shoulder major responsibilities in the academic and cultural circles upon returning to China.
1919: Helming Peking University Affairs, Igniting the "Problems and Isms" Debate
Hu Shi served as the acting Provost of Peking University, took over the publication Weekly Review, and published Study More Problems, Talk Less Isms. This sparked the profoundly influential "Problems and Isms" debate, and his reformist propositions deeply influenced the academic and political commentary trends of the time. BaZi analysis: This year fell in the Ding You Luck Pillar. The Heavenly Stem Ding Fire, acting as a Friend, lent support to the Day Master as a favorable element, enhancing the strength and confidence of the Ding Fire Day Master, empowering him to speak out and shoulder heavy responsibilities in academic and public spheres. The Annual Pillar, Ji Wei, consisted entirely of the Eating God in both stem and branch. The Eating God represents the manifestation of thought, speech, and talent. The Annual Pillar branch Wei Earth formed a Chou-Wei clash with the Day Pillar branch Chou Earth. This clash destabilized the Day Pillar, as well as the spouse palace and the Wealth storage, indicating that his life was entering a phase of drastic fluctuation, with his ideological and career landscape facing major breakthroughs and challenges. The prominence of the Eating God perfectly corresponds to his actions of publishing articles and participating in debates. Meanwhile, the appearance of the symbolic Canopy Star in the Annual Pillar favored the expression and manifestation of unique talents, allowing him to stand out in academic debates. The combined effect of the Luck and Annual Pillars enabled the Eating God to control Killings, using thought and knowledge to master challenges—a key astrological factor in elevating his career to a new level.
1920: Breaking the Old to Establish the New, A Book of Experiments Pioneers Vernacular Poetry
Hu Shi published A Book of Experiments, China's first collection of vernacular poetry. Driven by the spirit of "experimentation," he propelled the literary revolution, marking an important milestone in the New Culture Movement. BaZi analysis: This year fell in the Ding You Luck Pillar (1915–1924). The Heavenly Stem Ding Fire in the Luck Pillar projected as a Friend, providing crucial support to the Day Master and enhancing his independent, pioneering will and capacity for action. The Annual Pillar, Ji Wei, featured the Eating God in both stem and branch. The Eating God governs talent, thought, and expression. The Eating God happens to be the favorable element for the chart's Seven Killings structure; it possesses the ability to control Killings, transforming pressure and challenges (Seven Killings) into extraordinary creative work and achievements. The Annual Pillar branch Wei Earth clashed with the Day Pillar branch Chou Earth. This clash to the Day Pillar signified intense upheaval in his personal life and intellectual realm, stimulating immense creative energy. At the same time, the symbolic Canopy Star appeared in the Annual Pillar, indicating that unique talents and ideas would be seen. This accurately reflected his historical role in pioneering a new literary style and ethos with his new ideas.
1922: Teaching at Peking University, Making a Voice in the Press: The Birth of the Provost and Endeavor Weekly
Hu Shi served as the Provost of National Peking University and the acting Dean of the Humanities. He founded Endeavor Weekly and co-published Our Political Propositions with Cai Yuanpei and others, making his mark in the educational and public opinion spheres. BaZi analysis: This year was within the Ding You Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar stem Ding Fire acted as a Friend to assist the Day Master, while the branch You Metal acted as Indirect Wealth and clashed with the Year Pillar's Mao Wood (Indirect Resource). This clash activated the career palace and Resource star, signifying environmental changes and new career beginnings. The Annual Pillar, Ren Xu, featured the Heavenly Stem Ren Water (Direct Officer) combining with the Ding Fire Day Master. This Ding-Ren combination transforms into Wood; Wood acts as the Resource star, representing reputation, documents, and education. This combination perfectly married the Officer star (career and status) with the Resource star (knowledge and platform), an exact astrological manifestation of presiding over an institution of higher learning and founding a publication. The Annual Pillar branch Xu Earth combined with the Year Pillar's Mao Wood, further activating the Resource star. Furthermore, the Monthly Virtue Nobleman from the Annual Pillar, alongside the Academic Star, Heavenly Official Nobleman, and General Star from the Luck Pillar, all gathered together, highly favoring cultural education, official career, and the exertion of leadership. Although the heavenly clash and earthly clash between the Luck Pillar and Year Pillar presented challenges, the formidable power of the Officer and Resource generating each other in the Annual Pillar allowed him to seize crucial opportunities amidst the upheaval.
1924: Founding Modern Review, Opening a New Chapter in Intellectual Enlightenment
Hu Shi, together with friends Chen Xiying and Wang Shijie, co-founded the weekly magazine Modern Review. Using this as a stronghold, he continuously published treatises and commentary in the cultural sphere, becoming an important cultural standard-bearer of the time. BaZi analysis: This year was at the tail end of the Ding You Luck Pillar. The Heavenly Stem Ding Fire projected as a Friend, providing crucial support to the Day Master, which is conducive to cooperation with others. This is exactly the astrological manifestation of founding a publication and gathering like-minded peers. In the Annual Pillar, Jia Zi, the Heavenly Stem Jia Wood projected as Direct Resource, acting as the chart's favorable element. It represents the manifestation of thought, culture, and reputation. Moreover, Jia Wood can transform Killings and generate the Day Master, allowing the native to utilize his knowledge and wisdom to cope with an environment surrounded by Seven Killings (pressure and challenges), thereby earning prestige. The Annual Pillar branch Zi Water combined with the day branch Chou Earth, activating the spouse palace and career palace, indicating the establishment of new partnerships and career platforms. Meanwhile, the Annual Pillar and Luck Pillar respectively featured the Academic Star and the Heavenly Yi Nobleman, signifying flourishing literary pursuits and the support of benefactors. This provided the perfect timing and interpersonal harmony for founding a cultural publication and publishing commentary.
1927: Completing Studies and Returning, Initial Voice in the Literary World
Hu Shi officially received his PhD in philosophy from Columbia University, concluding his years of overseas study. After returning to China that same year, he and literary figures such as Xu Zhimo founded the Crescent Bookstore in Shanghai and actively participated in the cultural activities of the Crescent Moon Society, marking the official takeoff of his academic achievements and literary career. BaZi analysis: This year fell within the Bing Shen Luck Pillar, with Bing Yin as the Annual Pillar. The chart native's BaZi features Ding Fire born in a winter month, making it a weak Day Master that favors Wood and Fire. The Annual Pillar Heavenly Stem Bing Fire projected as Rob Wealth, acting as a favorable element that represents peer assistance and an explosion of personal energy. The Earthly Branch Yin Wood acts as Direct Resource and provides a strong root, generating and supporting the Day Master, which is highly beneficial for studies and reputation. The Annual Pillar's Yin Wood activated the Hour Pillar's Ren Yin. The Ding-Ren combination formed Wood, and Yin and Chou shared a hidden combination. The generation of Officer and Resource meant that the combination of official recognition (degree) and knowledge (Resource star) received formal validation. The Year Pillar Xin Mao and the Annual Pillar Bing Yin formed a Bing-Xin combination that transformed into Water. While it combined away the Indirect Wealth, it allowed him to focus more intently on spiritual and academic pursuits. The symbolic stars in the Annual Pillar—Heavenly Yi Nobleman, National Seal, and Academician Star—gathered together, signifying the patronage of benefactors, official certification, and literary brilliance. This perfectly fulfilled the highlight moment of obtaining his doctoral degree and throwing himself into organizing literary activities.
1928: Helming the Twin Wings of Culture and Education: Founding Crescent Monthly and Leading China Public School
Hu Shi participated in the founding of Crescent Monthly and, in April of that year, took over as the principal of China Public School. He exerted effort simultaneously in literary creation and educational innovation, and his influence grew by the day. BaZi analysis: This year fell right in the Bing Shen Rob Wealth Luck Pillar. The Heavenly Stem Bing Fire projected as Rob Wealth, acting as an aid to the Ding Fire Day Master and enhancing his capacity for action and his influence. The Annual Pillar, Wu Chen, formed a Zi-Shen-Chen three-harmony frame of Water with the Month and Hour Pillars' Zi and Shen. This frame creates a formidable Officer and Killings (Water) dynamic. For a weak Day Master, Officer and Killings normally represent pressure and challenges. However, the Hour Pillar of the natal chart contains the Ding-Ren combination forming Wood, and the Earthly Branch Yin Wood acts as Resource. This formed a structure where Resource and Friends generate each other, transforming Officer and Killings into Resource and Friend support, thereby converting pressure into driving force. The chart's Ding Fire Day Master favors Wood and Fire. The Wu Earth in the Annual Pillar acts as Officer and Killings, but Wu Earth combines with the Ding Fire Day Master to form a Wu-Ding combination generating Fire. The Officer and Killings transformed into Resource and Friend, alleviating the pressure brought by Officer and Killings. The Annual Pillar branch Chen Earth formed a punishment with the day branch Chou Earth, unlocking the Eating God storage in the Day Pillar. This indicates that the chart native would achieve success in literary creation. Meanwhile, the Annual Pillar Heavenly Stem Wu Earth combined with the Ding Fire Day Master; as the Officer and Killings transformed into Resource and Friend, the chart native was also destined to achieve certain success in the field of education.