Xu Xiangqian (1901–1990), a native of Wutai, Shanxi, was a Marshal of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and an outstanding military strategist. His life was filled with legendary color, ranging from a student at the Whampoa Military Academy to a vanguard of the Northern Expedition, and then to a commander of the Red Army. With unwavering conviction and exceptional military talent, he consistently rendered illustrious military service to the revolutionary cause of China.
BaZi Chart
BaZi Analysis
Xu Xiangqian's BaZi has a Geng Metal Day Master (Ri Zhu), born in the Yin month. With prosperous Wood suppressing Metal, the Day Master is slightly weak, requiring the "Seven Killings star" to control Wood and form a structure befitting a military commander. The Xu hour gives Bing Xu; Bing Fire is Seven Killings (Qi Sha), and the hidden Ding Fire in Xu provides support, forming a distinct commander structure that symbolizes decisiveness, resolution, and leadership. The Luck Pillars (Da Yun) align with history. The 1921–1930 period was the Bing Shen Seven Killings Luck Pillar, echoing the Bing Xu Hour Pillar. This coincided exactly with the critical years spanning his time at Whampoa, the Northern Expedition, and his transition into the Red Army and subsequent rise, indicating a rapid ascent in his early military career. Compared to hours that present a Direct Officer (Zheng Guan) or Eating God (Shi Shen)—such as Chou, Hai, or Wu—which lean more toward civilian or literary pursuits and cannot adequately explain a life defined primarily by the military, characterized by low-key pragmatism and numerous life-and-death choices, the Xu hour is a far better fit for both his personality and career trajectory.
This chart takes the Geng day as the Day Master. The Year, Month, and Hour stems feature Indirect Resource (Pian Yin)—such as Ji and Xin providing support—coexisting with hidden Seven Killings—represented by Bing Xu and the imagery of Bing and Wu within Yin—presenting a structure where Indirect Resource controls Killings and Seven Killings takes charge. With the Day Master protected and nourished by Resource, and a simultaneous contention between Killings and Resource, he was able to receive the benefit of education and learning while transforming oppressive pressure into commanding authority. This reflects a synthesis of scholarly knowledge and military resolve.
Examining the Luck Pillars, the 1921–1930 Bing Shen Seven Killings Luck Pillar corresponds to his time at Whampoa, his transition into the Red Army, and his period of growth. The 1941–1950 Jia Wu Indirect Wealth (Pian Cai) Luck Pillar aligns with strategic opportunities and victories in the Shanxi campaigns. The 1951–1960 Gui Si Hurting Officer (Shang Guan) Luck Pillar matches the modernization of the military and his honorary conferment of rank. Overall, these demonstrate how the interactions of the Ten Gods (Shi Shen) propelled his military career and steadfast character.
Trait Analysis
- Leadership: With Seven Killings symbolizing a commander's structure, his chart denotes firmness and decisiveness. The Luck Pillars align with wartime events, reflecting outstanding military command ability and on-the-spot decision-making.
- Strategic Prudence: Supported by Indirect Resource, he possessed strong capacities for learning and planning. He excelled at gaining the strategic initiative through meticulous deployment, consistent with his reputation for strict military management.
- Perseverance: Protected by Resource stars and having weathered numerous wars and Luck Pillar trials, the Day Master demonstrates immense endurance and the stamina for prolonged struggle.
- Low-key Pragmatism: With Resource stars dominant followed by Indirect Wealth, his personality leaned toward introversion and pragmatism, favoring actual battle achievements over flamboyance to prove himself.
Life Timeline
1917
Personal Experience: Due to his family's poverty, Xu Xiangqian was forced to drop out of school and traveled far to work as an apprentice in a bookstore in Fuping County, Hebei. Over the course of two and a half years, he was able to read widely, becoming particularly fascinated by the heroes and champions in classical novels. His deep-seated ambition to serve his country sprouted during this time.
BaZi Analysis: This year fell within the Ding You Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar (Liu Nian) being Ding Si. The Luck Pillar Heavenly Stem (Tian Gan) Ding Fire represents Direct Officer, indicating responsibility, constraint, and guidance in life's direction. The Annual Pillar Heavenly Stem is also Ding Fire Direct Officer, doubling the strength of the Officer star, signifying environmental pressure and a life turning point. The Annual Pillar Earthly Branch (Di Zhi) Si Fire activates the Hour Pillar's Bing Fire Seven Killings, creating mixed Officer and Killings (Guan Sha Hun Za). With pressure and opportunity coexisting, it was a time of major choices in life. The Annual Pillar, Luck Pillar, and Year Pillar Chou formed a Si-You-Chou three-harmony frame (San He) combining into a Metal frame. Metal is his favorable element (Yong Shen), representing the gathering of team and peer strength. Although an apprentice, he found nourishment in a collective environment. At the same time, the Annual Pillar's symbolic stars (Shen Sha)—the National Seal and the Lucky Star—manifested, and the Commander Star within the Luck Pillar was also activated. This foretold that his leadership talents and persevering character would begin to emerge through hardship, and the nourishment of books (with Resource as his favorable element) laid the ideological foundation for his future path.
1919
Personal Experience: He was admitted to the accelerated program at the Shanxi Provincial National Normal School, receiving a modern education. His thinking underwent a profound baptism by the May Fourth New Culture Movement, opening a door to a new world.
BaZi Analysis: This year, the chart holder was in the Ding You Direct Officer Luck Pillar. Direct Officer represents official authority, academic studies, and reputation. The Luck Pillar Earthly Branch You Metal is Rob Wealth (Jie Cai); although not a primary favorable element, it helps strengthen the Day Master. The Annual Pillar was Ji Wei. Both its Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch are Direct Resource (Zheng Yin), which is the most favored Five Element in the chart. The Resource star governs documents, learning, and benefactors. The Annual Pillar Heavenly Stem Ji Earth Direct Officer revealed itself, indicating that his talents could be displayed, his learning ability was exceptionally strong, and he easily won the appreciation of his teachers. Meanwhile, the Annual Pillar Earthly Branch Wei Earth is also a Resource star and serves as the Heavenly Yi symbolic star, indicating assistance from benefactors, with interpersonal relationships becoming a key supportive force. The Annual Pillar clashed with the Year Pillar Chou in a Chou-Wei clash, and combined with the Month Pillar to form a Chou-Wei-Xu three punishments (Xing). This clash and punishment activated the Resource stars in both the Year and Month Pillars. While it signified family changes, it also meant that the old environment was broken up and new opportunities emerged accordingly—perfectly matching the life transition of leaving home to study and embrace new ideas. The chart itself features Eating God controlling Killings, denoting intelligence and strategy. This year, with the Resource star thriving, the Eating God was nourished, and Seven Killings was controlled. It was an ideal time to enter the world through scholarship and lay a solid educational foundation.
1921
Personal Experience: As a member of Sun Yat-sen's guard, he traveled to Shaoguan to participate in the Northern Expedition mobilization rally, personally taking part in revolutionary military action for the first time and opening an important turning point in his life.
BaZi Analysis: This year occurred during the Bing Shen Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar Heavenly Stem Bing Fire Seven Killings revealed itself, representing authority, transformation, and challenge—corresponding to the sign of joining the revolutionary cause. The Annual Pillar was Xin You, forming a Bing-Xin combination with the Luck Pillar's Bing Fire, transforming Seven Killings into Eating God and Hurting Officer, thereby turning pressure into action and strategy. Most critically, the Luck Pillar Earthly Branch Shen Metal and the chart holder's Day Pillar Earthly Branch Yin Wood formed a Yin-Shen clash. This astrological clash is a strong signal of major life changes, shaking the Day Pillar (representing self and the spouse palace), indicating drastic environmental shifts and a turning point in life. At the same time, the Annual Pillar Earthly Branch You Metal, the Month Pillar Xu, and the Luck Pillar Shen formed a directional frame (Hui Ju) of Metal. Metal represents Friend and Rob Wealth, symbolizing like-minded comrades and collective action. Furthermore, the Annual Pillar featured the Commander Star, favorable for standing out within a team. The chart itself is a structure of Eating God controlling Killings; his intellect was fully capable of mastering challenges. The combination of the Seven Killings Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar was the perfect time to invest his personal intellect (Eating God) into a grand cause (Seven Killings).
1924
Personal Experience: He passed the entrance examination and was admitted to the first class of the Whampoa Military Academy. Assigned to the first company, he received formal military training, laying a solid professional foundation for his future military career.
BaZi Analysis: This year fell within the Bing Shen Seven Killings Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar and the Day Pillar Geng Yin formed a heavenly clash and earthly clash, marking a period where major life changes and opportunities coexisted. Seven Killings represents authority, discipline, and career breakthroughs, perfectly corresponding to his entry into the military to undergo rigorous training. The Annual Pillar was Jia Zi. The Jia Wood Indirect Wealth revealed in the stem, though an unfavorable element (Ji Shen), activated the chart's Eating God controlling Killings structure, turning challenges into driving forces. The Annual Pillar Earthly Branch Zi Water and the Luck Pillar Earthly Branch Shen Metal formed a half-water frame, strengthening the power of the Eating God, which was beneficial for learning and mastering skills. The Annual Pillar's symbolic stars included the Literary Arts star, and the Luck Pillar featured the Academic Hall star. Both govern academic pursuits and further education, making it an excellent time to systematically build a framework of knowledge. The Luck Pillar Earthly Branch Shen Metal is the Prosperity star of the Day Master Geng Metal, and also the place of birth for the favorable Earth element (Resource star). This meant his foundation was solid enough to withstand the pressure of change, transforming external shocks into catalysts for personal growth.
1927
Personal Experience: In Wuhan, introduced by comrades, he officially joined the Chinese Communist Party. From then on, he closely linked his personal destiny with the cause of national liberation, establishing a revolutionary faith for which he would strive his entire life.
BaZi Analysis: This year was right in the Bing Shen Luck Pillar (1921–1930). The Luck Pillar Heavenly Stem Bing Fire Seven Killings clashed with the Day Master Geng Metal, and the Earthly Branch Shen Metal and Day Branch Yin Wood formed a Yin-Shen clash. This heavenly clash and earthly clash was a signal of profound life changes and turning points. The Annual Pillar was Ding Mao. The Ding Fire Direct Officer revealed itself, activating the Hour Pillar's Bing Fire Seven Killings. The simultaneous appearance of Direct Officer and Seven Killings represented immense external pressure, responsibility, and mission. Direct Officer also signifies orthodoxy, discipline, and organization, aligning perfectly with the solemn and glorious organizational act of joining the Party. The Annual Pillar Earthly Branch Mao Wood combined with the Month Branch Xu Earth, activating the Wealth star. Wealth generates Officer and Killings, meaning that personal choices (Wealth) served a larger ideal and cause (Officer and Killings). Meanwhile, the Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar assembled symbolic stars like the Heavenly Virtue, Monthly Virtue, and Heavenly Official, indicating that he who follows the right path receives abundant help. With an inner light, he earned the trust and support of the organization and his comrades. The chart's inherent Eating God controlling Killings structure was strongly activated during this Luck Pillar and year. This meant that his wisdom and courage (Eating God) were sufficient to navigate the era's massive upheavals and challenges (Seven Killings), converting pressure into the driving force to join the revolution and establish merit.
1927
Personal Experience: He served as the captain of the Sixth Detachment of the Workers' Red Guards and participated in the Guangzhou Uprising. After the uprising failed, his troops were reorganized into the Fourth Division of the Red Army, where he served as Party representative and chief of staff, officially beginning his military command career.
BaZi Analysis: This year was during the Bing Shen Seven Killings Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar Heavenly Stem Bing Fire Seven Killings revealed itself, echoing the Hour Pillar's Bing Fire Seven Killings. The aggressive momentum of Seven Killings attacking the Day Master was intense, signifying enormous environmental pressure and severe challenges, but it also spawned extraordinary boldness and decisiveness. The Annual Pillar was Ding Mao. The Heavenly Stem Ding Fire Direct Officer revealed itself, creating mixed Officer and Killings, plunging his destiny into a critical juncture of major choices and violent fluctuations. The Earthly Branch Mao Wood Direct Wealth combined with the Month Pillar's Xu Earth, activating the Wealth star. However, the chart is fundamentally an Eating God controlling Killings structure, where Wealth generating Killings is unfavorable. This combination also meant utilizing resources (Wealth) for an ideal (Eating God), throwing himself into the risky (Seven Killings) revolutionary cause. The Luck Pillar Earthly Branch Shen Metal clashed with the Day Branch Yin Wood (Spouse Palace / Indirect Wealth). The Yin-Shen clash is a clash involving the Traveling Horse star, denoting drastic environmental changes, turbulence, and movement—perfectly matching the imagery of an uprising and subsequent mobile warfare. The Annual Pillar's symbolic stars revealed the Heavenly Official, representing career blueprints and opportunities. Despite being in peril, it was a period where his command talents could shine.
1929
Personal Experience: Commissioned by the CPC Central Committee, he traveled to the Hubei-Henan-Anhui border region to serve as deputy commander of the 31st Division of the Red Army. He began independently leading the Red Army in guerrilla warfare, opening a crucial chapter in his military career.
BaZi Analysis: This year coincided with the Bing Shen Seven Killings Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar Heavenly Stem Bing Fire Seven Killings revealed itself, representing authority, challenge, and pioneering. The Annual Pillar was Ji Si. The Heavenly Stem Ji Earth Direct Resource revealed itself as a favored element for the chart. The Resource star represents appointments, power, and trust, corresponding exactly to the imagery of being "commissioned by the CPC Central Committee." The Earthly Branch Si Fire Seven Killings activated the Luck Pillar's Shen Metal and the chart's Day Branch Yin Wood, forming a Yin-Shen-Si three punishments. This punishment frame denotes drastic upheaval and environmental turbulence, directly matching his shift from a relatively stable environment to the frontlines, independently commanding guerrilla warfare in the harsh Hubei-Henan-Anhui region. Although the punishment frame brought massive challenges, it also stimulated the chart's Eating God controlling Killings structure, transforming pressure and peril into practical military command capability. The Annual Pillar's symbolic stars included the National Seal, representing official recognition and authorization. Overall, under the Seven Killings Luck Pillar, the arrival of the favored Resource star, through intense earthly clashes and punishments, converted the chart's challenging structure into a critical breakthrough in his actual career.
1930
Personal Experience: He was promoted to Deputy Commander of the First Army of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and Commander of the 1st Division. He led his troops on long-distance rapid marches, capturing multiple cities in succession and achieving brilliant military results.
BaZi Analysis: This year was the last year of the Bing Shen Seven Killings Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar and the Day Pillar Geng Yin formed a heavenly clash and earthly clash, marking a period of major life changes and opportunities. The Annual Pillar was Geng Wu. Along with the chart's Month Pillar Ji Hai and Day Pillar Geng Yin, it formed a Yin-Wu-Xu three-harmony Fire frame. Fire represents Officer and Killings, signifying career, power, and challenges. This combination frame immensely strengthened the power of Seven Killings in the chart, transforming pressure and challenges into tremendous kinetic energy for establishing merit. The Annual Pillar gathered the Heavenly Yi symbolic star and the Commander Star, indicating mentorship from benefactors and taking on heavy responsibilities within the team with composed command. At the same time, the Annual Pillar's Wu Fire contained hidden Ji Earth Direct Resource, a favored element. This represented solid rear support and the trust of superiors. With inner peace, he could strategize and direct his troops during external campaigns, achieving the brilliant result of "three victories in three battles."
1931
Personal Experience: The Fourth Front Army of the Red Army was established. Xu Xiangqian served as its General Commander and concurrently as the commander of the Fourth Army, becoming one of the highest commanders of the main Red Army and opening a glorious chapter in his military career.
BaZi Analysis: This year, the chart holder entered the Yi Wei Luck Pillar, and the Annual Pillar was also Xin Wei, creating a "synchronized Annual Pillar and Luck Pillar" (Sui Yun Bing Lin). Energy was highly concentrated, signifying a major life turning point. The Earthly Branch Wei Earth in both the Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar is the favored Resource star, and its energy was rooted in the branches, representing a solid foundation, acquisition of authority, and support. Meanwhile, the Luck Pillar and the Year Pillar Xin Chou formed a heavenly clash and earthly clash, and the Annual Pillar also clashed with the Year Pillar. This is the imagery of "clashing open the Wealth treasury" and "clashing awake the Resource star," meaning that family, environment, and career structure underwent drastic and profound changes. Old constraints were broken, and new opportunities and responsibilities followed. The chart holder's BaZi features an Eating God structure; its core lies in "Eating God controlling Killings," using intellect to master authority and challenges. This year, the Luck Pillar Heavenly Stem Yi Wood (Direct Wealth) combined with the Day Master Geng Metal (Geng-Yi combining into Metal). Wealth came to combine with the self, seemingly bringing material attachments, but the thriving Resource star (Wei Earth) in the branches firmly protected the Day Master, transforming the power of the Wealth star into a solid foundation and career platform. The Annual Pillar Heavenly Stem Xin Metal (Rob Wealth) revealed itself, clashing with the Luck Pillar's Yi Wood, further intensifying the dynamics of competition and change. The convergence of multiple Heavenly Yi symbolic stars foretold appreciation and mentorship from benefactors at critical moments. Overall, this was a critical node where the chart holder, relying on his own intellect (Eating God) amidst violent shifts in the political landscape (heavenly clash and earthly clash), firmly grasped power and responsibility (Resource rooted in the branches, Officer and Killings controlled), ascending onto the important stage of history.
1932
Personal Experience: Due to the failure of the fourth counter-encirclement campaign, it was decided at the Huangchaifan Conference to conduct a strategic shift. He led the main force of the Fourth Front Red Army to withdraw from the Hubei-Henan-Anhui region and march into Sichuan and Shaanxi to create a new revolutionary base area.
BaZi Analysis: This year fell within the Yi Wei Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar Heavenly Stem Yi Wood Direct Wealth and the Year Pillar Xin Metal Rob Wealth formed a heavenly clash and earthly clash. The Earthly Branch Wei Earth and the Year Branch Chou Earth clashed, forming a double clash, which combined with the natal chart's Chou and Xu to create a Chou-Wei-Xu three punishments. This marked a period of violent turbulence and transformation in his life. The old foundation (the Year Pillar represents ancestral heritage and early environment) was thoroughly shaken, compelling him to take the initiative and forge a new path. The Annual Pillar was Ren Shen. The Heavenly Stem Ren Water is the Eating God, also serving as the chart's regulating favorable element, representing wisdom, strategy, and mobility. The Earthly Branch Shen Metal is the Prosperity star and also the Traveling Horse. Shen Metal clashed with the Day Branch Yin Wood (Spouse Palace), activating the entire chart. This imagery perfectly aligned with the move of a "strategic shift": the Eating God governs strategic planning, the Traveling Horse governs long journeys, and the clash on the Day Branch represented a massive shift in his personal environment and team. Meanwhile, the Eating God controlling Killings structure was able to express itself amidst the turbulence, transforming pressure (Seven Killings) into a pioneering force (Eating God), laying the groundwork for establishing a new base area in Sichuan and Shaanxi.
1955
Personal Experience: Due to his illustrious merits, he was conferred the rank of Marshal of the People's Republic of China, becoming one of the highest-ranking leaders of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
BaZi Analysis: This year coincided with the Gui Si Luck Pillar, and the Annual Pillar was Yi Wei. The Luck Pillar Heavenly Stem Gui Water Eating God generated the Day Master Geng Metal, while the Earthly Branch Si Fire generated Wei Earth, forming a structure where the Eating God generates Wealth, signifying career success and prominent reputation. The Annual Pillar Yi Wei had the Heavenly Stem Yi Wood Direct Wealth revealed. The Earthly Branch Wei Earth, along with the Year Pillar Xin Chou and Month Pillar Ji Hai, formed a Wei-Chou-Hai three-harmony Metal frame. Metal is a favorable element, representing the chart holder's attainment of official recognition and supreme honor. This year's Annual Pillar featured the Heavenly Yi symbolic star, indicating mentorship that elevated his career to the next level. Overall, this was a critical node where the chart holder achieved brilliant success in his revolutionary career and attained supreme honor.
The BaZi analysis of Xu Xiangqian fully embodies his character traits of outstanding leadership, strategic prudence, unyielding perseverance, and low-key pragmatism, as well as his magnificent and tumultuous revolutionary journey. His BaZi structure and life experiences mutually validate one another, revealing to us the presence of a great military strategist and statesman.