Yan Liben

Yan Liben, an outstanding painter and official of the early Tang Dynasty, was renowned for his masterful figure and historical paintings. His representative works, Bunian Tu (Carriage Painting) and Lingyan Pavilion Meritorious Officials, are still celebrated today as divine masterpieces of the brush. His career was marked by the dual brilliance of artistic achievement and political service, all of which are closely intertwined with his BaZi (Ba Zi) chart.

BaZi Chart

Core Analysis

Yan Liben's BaZi chart centers on a Ding Day Master, displaying a structure of Hurting Officer paired with Indirect Resource. His Hurting Officer is revealed, showing a strong desire for artistic expression and creativity, while his Indirect Resource protects his craft and inner refinement. The Five Elements are rooted in Fire and Earth, and the revelation of Ren Water and Yin Wood not only favors image-making and a sense of color but also aligns with his painting talent and ability to capture the spirit of his subjects.

Trait Analysis

1. Artistic Talent: A structure dominated by the Hurting Officer brings a strong drive for artistic expression and creativity. The Indirect Resource provides protection and transmission for his craft, making him outstanding in line work, color application, and figure portrayal.
2. Official Career Support: When his Luck Pillars encounter periods of Direct Officer and Direct Resource, they are favorable for awards, promotions, and court appointments, indicating that his political career, though not relying on political maneuvering, earned him the high regard of the emperor.
3. Fame and Influence: The Hurting Officer generating wealth brings public recognition. Having completed royal commissions and large-scale projects on multiple occasions, he achieved immense artistic fame, aligning with the historical record praising his "divine brushwork."
4. Political Shortcomings and Self-Reflection: When the Hurting Officer is too heavy, or when the Seven Killings and Hurting Officer intermingle, his sharpness becomes overly apparent, leading to a lack of political astuteness. Although the Indirect Resource protects his art, it cannot fully compensate for the administrative talent required of a high minister.

Life Timeline

1. 625: First entered the Prince of Qin's administration, where his talent was initially recognized. This year, Yan Liben was in the Xin Mao Luck Pillar, with an Annual Pillar of Yi You. The Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar formed a heavenly clash and earthly clash. The Annual Pillar's Heavenly Stem, Yi Wood, acts as an Indirect Resource, representing talent, knowledge, and recognition from benefactors. With its energy revealed in the stem, it was favorable for showcasing abilities and learning new skills.
2. 627: Appointed as Vice Minister of Justice, his official career began to show its brilliance. This year, Yan Liben was in the Xin Mao Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar's Heavenly Stem, Xin Metal, acts as Indirect Wealth, and its Earthly Branch, Mao Wood, acts as Indirect Resource. The Annual Pillar was Ding Hai; the Heavenly Stem Ding Fire acts as Friend, and the Earthly Branch Hai Water acts as Direct Officer. The Officer and Resource generating each other signified holding authority and gaining official recognition.
3. 636: Commissioned by imperial decree to paint the Six Steeds, leaving a illustrious name in art. This year, Yan Liben was in the Ren Chen Direct Officer Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar's Heavenly Stem, Ren Water as Direct Officer, combined with the Day Master Ding Fire. The Annual Pillar was Bing Shen, and its Earthly Branch Shen, combined with Zi and Chen, formed a three-harmony Water frame, representing clear directives and heavy responsibilities from the highest authority (Emperor Taizong of Tang).
4. 640: Commissioned to paint, initiating the creation of a masterpiece passed down through the ages. The conception and drafting of Bunian Tu benefited from the Ren Chen Luck Pillar (Direct Officer) and the strong Officer and Killings energy of the Geng Zi Annual Pillar, representing direct appointment and approval from officialdom and imperial authority.
5. 641: Painting a grand event, the masterpiece cemented his legacy. The completion of Bunian Tu occurred right during the Gui Si Seven Killings Luck Pillar, representing pressure and heavy official responsibilities. It coincided with the Heavenly Officer symbolic star gracing the Annual Pillar, signifying official appreciation and an important commission.
6. 643: Leaving his mark, he painted the immortal meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion. The painting of the Lingyan Pavilion Meritorious Officials benefited from the Gui Si Luck Pillar and the powerful Officer and Killings energy of the Gui Mao Annual Pillar, along with the activation of the Resource star's power, representing the ultimate expression of his talent, knowledge, and fame.
7. 646: Taking charge of the palace once again, he used Fire as his brush to paint. Yan Liben again oversaw the renovation of Cuiwei Palace, benefiting from the Gui Si Seven Killings Luck Pillar and the directional Fire frame of the Bing Wu Annual Pillar, transforming the restrictive force of the unfavorable Seven Killings into a blazing Fire.
8. 652: Commissioned to illustrate the design of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, using his brush to establish the solemnity of the Buddhist realm. The illustration of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda's design benefited from the Jia Wu Luck Pillar and the Ren Zi Annual Pillar, where the favorable elements Wood and Fire arrived together. The Resource star transformed the Killings, and the Officer came to combine with the self.
9. 656: Succeeding his brother's legacy, he took charge of the Directorate of Buildings. Yan Liben succeeded to his brother's position as Chief Architect, benefiting from the Jia Wu Luck Pillar and the Bing Chen Annual Pillar, where the Jia Wood Direct Resource was revealed in the Heavenly Stem, aided by the symbolic stars of the National Seal and Canopy.
10. 656: Taking charge of the Ministry of Works, the Resource transformed the Killings and brought him into the center of power. His promotion to Minister of Works benefited from the Jia Wu Direct Resource Luck Pillar and the Bing Chen Annual Pillar's Rob Wealth, the Ding-Ren combination into Wood in the Day Pillar, the mutual generation of Officer and Resource, and the arrival of the favorable elements.