Ouyang Xiu (1007–1072) was an outstanding literary figure, historian, and statesman of the Northern Song dynasty. He championed the Classical Prose Movement and authored the New Book of Tang and the New History of the Five Dynasties. As one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song, his life embodied the three enduring achievements: virtue, service, and letters.
BaZi Chart
Core Analysis
Ouyang Xiu's BaZi chart reveals his distinctive destiny profile. The Day Master Yi Wood is born in Mao Wood, rooted in a domain where Wood prospers, expressing both literary brilliance and independence. The Year and Hour Pillar Heavenly Stems bear Ding Fire and Bing Fire as the Eating God and Hurting Officer, favorable for literary expression; the Month Branch Shen Metal harbors a hidden restraining influence, creating turbulence in his official career.
The progression of his Luck Pillars follows a clear pattern: in his youth he moved through Bing Wu and Yi Si, which propelled him through the civil service examinations and early trials; at midlife he entered the Gui Mao and Ren Yin Resource Luck Pillars, ideal for writing, compiling histories, and teaching—precisely the period when the New Book of Tang and the New History of the Five Dynasties were accomplished; in his later years he encountered clashes from Xin Chou (Seven Killings) and similar influences, which triggered political turmoil and demotions. The overall structure presents the image of a man who established himself through letters but faced constant turbulence in officialdom. It ultimately resolves into the literary scholar's structure of a Hurting Officer paired with Resource, supported by a Friend strengthening the Day Master.
Trait Analysis
- Literary Creativity: Rooted in the prosperous Yi Mao Day Master Wood and the prominence of the Hurting Officer, this manifests as agile literary thought, an aptitude for emotional expression, and innovation in literary forms—fitting his leadership role in the Classical Prose Movement.
- Scholarly and Historical Expertise: Supported at midlife by the Indirect Resource and Direct Resource Luck Pillars, the Resource elements nourish the Day Master, favoring wide reading, the compilation of histories, and scholarly writing. This laid a firm foundation for the New Book of Tang and the New History of the Five Dynasties.
- Career Vicissitudes: The chart contains support from Friends, yet is restrained by the Metal and Water hidden in Shen, and in later years he encountered the Xin Chou (Seven Killings) Luck Pillar. These factors provide the BaZi rationale for the rises and falls in his official rank and his experiences of demotion.
- Resilience and Independence: Having suffered the early loss of his father and family poverty, his isolated Friend element, combined with the many Luck Pillar transitions he underwent, reflects a tenacious character that relied on learning and moral integrity as its principal way of establishing itself in the world.
Life Timeline
In 1010, enlightenment began on the sandbank as a literary star first shone. This fell during the Ding Wei Eating God Luck Pillar. The Eating God governs wisdom, learning, and benevolent elders, and the Luck Pillar repeated the natal Year Pillar, intensifying the influence of his early family environment. In the Annual Pillar Geng Xu, the Heavenly Stem Geng Metal—representing the Direct Officer—was revealed. The Direct Officer signifies reputation, discipline, and orthodox education. It combined with the Day Master Yi Wood through a Yi-Geng combination into Metal, signifying that external standards and guidance (from his mother and teachers) could effectively merge with his own identity (Yi Wood) and transform into a driving force for growth. The Annual Branch Xu formed a Mao-Xu combination into Fire with the Day Branch Mao, creating a double combination of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches that activated the Day Pillar. This represents a profound connection between his personal foundation (Mao Wood) and the external environment (Xu Earth) during this year—a critical period for intellectual awakening. At the same time, the symbolic star Canopy in his Luck Pillar and natal chart was activated. The Canopy signifies intelligence, a love of learning, and an affinity for literary pursuits, perfectly corresponding to his mother's unique teaching method of using sand as paper and reeds as a brush, which unlocked his extraordinary literary talent.
In 1023, his wings were clipped in Suizhou as he first tested his mettle. That year, Ouyang Xiu was in the Bing Wu Hurting Officer Luck Pillar. The Hurting Officer governs the outward display of talent and unconventional thinking, but also rebellion and challenging the rules. In the Annual Pillar Ren Xu, the Heavenly Stem Ren Water—representing the Direct Resource—was revealed. Though naturally a favorable element conducive to study, it clashed with the Hurting Officer Bing Fire in the Luck Pillar's Heavenly Stem, forming a Bing-Ren clash. This created a variant structure of the "Hurting Officer meeting Direct Officer," in which talent came into fierce conflict with established norms. In terms of branches, the Luck Pillar's Wu Fire and the Day Pillar's Mao Wood formed a Mao-Wu destruction, undermining the Day Master Yi Wood's root and hindering the expression of his talent, making it difficult to gain official recognition (from the Officer star). This is precisely the BaZi reflection of his failure in the examinations because his "composition did not conform to the official rhyming standards"—despite his evident talent, it failed to meet the official criteria.
In 1026, he claimed first place in the prefectural exam, and his brilliance first emerged. That year, Ouyang Xiu was in the Bing Wu Hurting Officer Luck Pillar. The Hurting Officer governs talent, skill, and competitive examinations, and the Luck Pillar's branch Wu Fire corresponded to the symbolic star Academic Star, highly favorable for academic achievement and official rank. Although the Annual Pillar details are not provided here, an analysis of the Luck Pillar alone shows that his chart's structure was one of the Eating God and Hurting Officer generating Wealth—an indication that his talent would translate into official success and prosperity. The Year Pillar Ding Wei combined with the Luck Pillar Bing Wu into Fire, concentrating the power of the Eating God and Hurting Officer so that his talent could be displayed to the fullest. At the same time, the Month Pillar Wu Shen, representing the Direct Officer (signifying official rank and examinations), formed a hidden combination with the Day Pillar Yi Mao, indicating that the Officer star (examination opportunities) actively sought to combine with the Day Master—an exceptionally auspicious sign for examinations. The convergence of these multiple auspicious signs perfectly reflects his success in passing the prefectural exam, marking a crucial breakthrough on his path through the civil service examinations.
In 1029, he captured the top honors in both categories, and his literary star shone over the capital. Through the recommendation of his mentor Xu Yan, Ouyang Xiu participated in the National University qualifying examination, placing first in both the Guangwen Hall trial and the National University exam. He earned the titles of "Jian Yuan" and "Jie Yuan," causing a sensation in the capital and laying a solid foundation for his future official career. That year, Ouyang Xiu was 22 years old, traveling through the Yi Si Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar being Ji Si. In BaZi terms, this represented a peak moment for his career and official advancement. His chart's Day Master Yi Wood was born in the Shen month when the Direct Officer holds sway, which inherently confers nobility. The Annual Branch Si Fire combined with the Month Pillar's Shen Metal, forming a Shen-Si combination into Water, which activated both the Direct Officer and Direct Resource stars in his chart. With Officer generating Resource, this signaled distinction in official recognition and triumph in examinations. Although the Annual Heavenly Stem Ji Earth—the Indirect Wealth—was an unfavorable element, it was controlled by the Luck Pillar's Yi Wood Friend, transforming the configuration into "Wealth coming to me." Furthermore, the Annual Branch Si Fire was the prosperous domain of Bing Fire, his regulating favorable element, allowing the Hurting Officer to display his brilliance to the fullest. At the same time, the Annual Pillar bore the symbolic stars Golden Carriage and Virtue, further enhancing his nobility and literary grace—an indication that his literary talent would receive the highest official recognition, leading to instant fame.
In 1030, his literary star illuminated the Ministry of Rites as he captured the top honor in one stroke. Ouyang Xiu took first place in the Ministry of Rites provincial examination, earning the title of "Sheng Yuan." His outstanding literary talent and brilliance received the highest official recognition, and his reputation soared. That year, he was in the Yi Si Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar being Ji Si. The Annual Branch Si Fire represented the Hurting Officer, signifying the ultimate expression of his literary talent and creative ability. Si Fire combined with the Month Command Shen Metal (the Direct Officer), forming a "Hurting Officer combining with the Direct Officer"—a classic signature of talent winning official approval and emerging victorious in examinations. Meanwhile, the Annual Heavenly Stem Ji Earth was Indirect Wealth. Though naturally an unfavorable element, it was restrained by both the Luck Pillar and the Day Master Yi Wood, forming an auspicious configuration in which a strong Day Master can bear both Wealth and Officer. The Annual Branch Si Fire was also the thriving ground of Bing Fire, his regulating favorable element. Fire governs culture and literary grace, and with proper climatic regulation, his thinking became agile and his writing shone brilliantly. The symbolic star Golden Carriage graced the Annual Pillar, signifying a rise in reputation and status. In sum, this was a pinnacle moment where talent (the Hurting Officer) and official recognition (the Direct Officer) merged perfectly, crowning his civil service examination journey with a glorious triumph.
In 1030, his name appeared on the golden roll as he rode triumphantly in the spring breeze. Ouyang Xiu participated in the palace examination personally presided over by Emperor Renzong of Song, and relying on his extraordinary talent, he placed fourteenth in the first tier, officially becoming a Presented Scholar (Jinshi) and launching his official career. That year, he was in the Yi Si Luck Pillar, and the Luck Pillar's branch Si Fire had already combined with the Month Pillar Shen Metal into the Officer, laying the groundwork for his career. In the Annual Pillar Geng Wu, the Heavenly Stem Geng Metal—the Direct Officer—was revealed and combined with the Day Master Yi Wood through a Yi-Geng combination. This is the classic sign of "the Officer coming to me," a powerful signal of receiving official recognition and achieving distinction in examinations. The branch Wu Fire, together with the Year Branch Wei and the Luck Pillar's Si, formed a directional Fire frame. Fire represents the Eating God and Hurting Officer, symbolizing talent and literary brilliance, and with these elements prospering, his abilities found their fullest expression. The appearance of the Academic Star in the Annual Pillar was an even more auspicious omen for examination success. His chart's favorable elements were Metal and Water; the Geng Metal Direct Officer appeared as a favorable element in the stems, and Bing Fire, his regulating favorable element (the main Qi of Si in the Luck Pillar), also found its proper grounding. With the right timing, the right placement, and the right human alignment, he passed the exam in one stroke, and his name resounded across the empire.
In 1033, the lute strings snapped as his beloved wife passed away prematurely. Ouyang Xiu's first wife, née Xu, fell ill and died less than a month after giving birth to their son. This sudden loss dealt him a devastating emotional blow. That year was the Gui You Annual Pillar, and its branch You Metal—the Seven Killings—clashed with Ouyang Xiu's Day Branch Mao Wood, forming a Mao-You clash. This is known as "clashing the Spouse Palace," a powerful signal of dramatic upheaval, separation, or loss in marriage and relationships. At the same time, the Annual Heavenly Stem Gui Water—representing the Indirect Resource—combined with the Month Pillar's Heavenly Stem Wu Earth, representing the Direct Wealth, in a Wu-Gui combination into Fire. The Direct Wealth represents the wife star, and when it is combined away, it also indicates instability in the marital bond. The Annual Pillar bore the symbolic star Mourning Gate, which portends funerary events. The Luck Pillar was Yi Si, and its Si Fire Hurting Officer formed a partial three-harmony with the Annual Pillar's You Metal, intensifying the power of Metal (Officer and Killings) to clash against and assault the Day Master's Mao Wood root. Taken together—the Seven Killings attacking the Day Master, the wife star combined away, the Spouse Palace clashed, compounded by the inauspicious Mourning Gate star—this was the precise BaZi activation period for his wife's premature death, inflicting profound physical and emotional trauma upon the Day Master Yi Wood (Ouyang Xiu).
In 1034, a benefactor opened the way as he first entered the Jade Hall. Through the recommendation of his senior colleague Wang Shu, he passed the court's special examination and was appointed to the position of Collator in the Imperial Library, participating in the compilation of the national library catalog Chongwen Zongmu. From that point on, he formally entered the inner circle of the central literary and official bureaucracy. His career took off that year, supported by multiple auspicious indicators in his BaZi. During the Yi Si Luck Pillar (1028–1037), the Luck Branch Si combined with the Month Branch Shen into Water, activating the Direct Officer star of the Month Command—a signal of a decade of smooth professional advancement and growing reputation. In the Annual Pillar Jia Xu (1034), the Xu Earth represented Wealth and combined with the Day Branch Mao Wood into Fire, activating the Day Master, Wealth, and Officer. Hidden within Xu was Xin Metal, the Seven Killings, representing both opportunities and challenges in his career. The Annual Heavenly Stem Jia Wood was Rob Wealth; though it signifies peer competition, the Day Master Yi Wood, like "a vine clinging to a mighty tree" (teng luo xi jia), actually received support from it. More importantly, the Luck Branch Si Fire provided the proper grounding for Bing Fire, his regulating favorable element, enabling it to control the prosperous Metal of the Month Command. This brought greater balance to the chart's temperature and moisture, allowing his talent to flourish and his mindset to remain positive, which was why he could pass the evaluation and obtain this distinguished, prestigious position.
In 1036, he was demoted for speaking out, and his strength of character first became evident. For writing the Letter to Gao Sijian in support of Fan Zhongyan's reforms and sharply criticizing Gao Ruone, he was branded a factionalist by the court and demoted to the post of county magistrate in Yiling. This year fell at the intersection of the Yi Si Luck Pillar (a Friend pillar) and the Bing Zi Annual Pillar (a Hurting Officer year). The Annual Heavenly Stem Bing Fire—the Hurting Officer—was revealed, joining forces with the natal Hour Pillar's Bing Fire Hurting Officer to form a dominant configuration. This produced the classic pattern of the "Hurting Officer meeting Direct Officer." The Hurting Officer represents talent, pride, and outspokenness, while the Direct Officer represents the establishment, rules, and superiors. As the classical saying goes, "When the Hurting Officer meets the Direct Officer, a hundred calamities follow"—foretelling punishment for one's words and conflict with the authorities. In the branches, the Annual Branch Zi Water harmed the Year Branch Wei Earth, constituting "harming the Grand Duke," which portended secret sabotage by petty people and the collapse of alliances. At the same time, Zi Water also formed a punishment with Mao Wood, the Spouse Palace in the Day Branch (a Mao-Zi punishment), compounding his troubles and misfortunes. The Luck Branch Si Fire was the symbolic star Post Horse, and by combining with the Month Branch Shen Metal—the Direct Officer—(a Shen-Si combination), it signaled that this decade would bring frequent travel and upheaval. That year, it manifested as a distant banishment to another region. With a strong Day Master, he channeled his righteous energy through the Hurting Officer; although he suffered demotion, this episode was the very embodiment of his literary integrity and political ideals.
In 1043, he rose as a new star in the Remonstrance Bureau, throwing himself into the current of reform. Recalled to the court, he served as Assistant Minister of Imperial Sacrifices and director of the Remonstrance Bureau, throwing himself with tremendous zeal into the Qingli Reforms led by Fan Zhongyan. He became a core member of the reformist faction, actively offering counsel and policy proposals. That year fell within the Jia Chen Luck Pillar, and its branch Chen combined with the chart's Month Branch Shen and Hour Branch Zi to form a Shen-Zi-Chen three-harmony Water frame. Water represents the Resource element (a favorable element) for the Day Master Yi Wood, signifying powerful benefactor support and intellectual resonance. In the Annual Pillar Gui Wei, the Heavenly Stem Gui Water—the Indirect Resource—was revealed, directly strengthening the Resource element and favoring learning, strategy, and the enhancement of reputation. Moreover, Gui Water served as a regulating favorable element, giving him clarity of thought and sound judgment. The Annual Branch Wei Earth, though representing Indirect Wealth, combined with the Month Stem Wu Earth through a Wu-Gui combination, activating the Wealth star. With Wealth, Officer, and Resource all flowing in sequence, this was a prime time for career advancement and the establishment of lasting achievements. At the same time, the Annual Pillar was graced by the Heavenly Virtue star, providing invisible protection that opened opportunities for him within the complex political landscape. With his chart's Direct Wealth structure, the Eating God and Hurting Officer generating Wealth, and prosperous Wealth in turn generating the Officer, the Resource element now flourished abundantly. With Officer generating Resource in turn, this was the peak moment for translating his talent and ambition into genuine political influence.
In 1054, his mourning period ended and he returned to court to take up the historian's brush. Upon completing the mourning period for his mother, he was recalled to the capital and appointed to the position of Director of Personnel Assessment. Soon after, he was commissioned to co-lead the compilation of the New Book of Tang alongside Song Qi and others, and he independently authored the New History of the Five Dynasties, inaugurating the defining chapter of his career as a monumental historian. That year, the subject was traveling through the Gui Mao Indirect Resource Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar's Heavenly Stem Gui Water was a favorable element—his regulating favorable element appearing in the stems—signaling growth in wisdom and the full expression of his talent, highly beneficial for literary endeavors and official advancement. In the Annual Pillar Jia Wu, the Heavenly Stem Jia Wood represented Rob Wealth, and the branch Wu Fire represented the Eating God. The Annual Branch Wu Fire combined with the Year Branch Wei Earth, activating the Eating God and Wealth star in the Year Pillar. Hidden within Wu was Ji Earth, the Indirect Wealth, representing the bestowal of imperial favor (the Officer) and official salary (Wealth) in recognition of his talent (the Eating God). At the same time, the Academic Star appeared in the Annual Pillar, marking an ideal moment for scholarship and writing. The combined effects of the Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar produced a flowing structure in which the Eating God and Hurting Officer generated Wealth, and prosperous Wealth in turn generated the Officer—perfectly matching the prosperous and noble qualities of his Direct Wealth structure. This was why he could be swiftly reinstated after his mourning period and entrusted with the monumental cultural undertaking of compiling the official histories.
In 1057, the literary leader took charge of the examinations and the Classical Prose Movement established its definitive triumph. Presiding over the Ministry of Rites examinations, he selected candidates based on their mastery of classical prose, admitting such luminaries as Su Shi, Su Zhe, and Zeng Gong. In a single stroke, he reversed the prevailing trend of obscure and ostentatious writing, laying a solid foundation for the flourishing of Song dynasty prose. This year was the last year of the Gui Mao Luck Pillar, and its Heavenly Stem Gui Water—the Indirect Resource—was revealed as an element favorable to the Day Master Yi Wood, representing wisdom, reputation, and benefactors. In the Annual Pillar Ding You, the Heavenly Stem Ding Fire—the Hurting Officer—was revealed, resonating with the chart's Hour Stem Bing Fire. The Hurting Officer governs talent, reform, and expression, perfectly matching his endeavor to reform the literary style of his era. The Annual Branch You Metal—the Direct Officer—combined with the Year Branch Wei Earth, forming a configuration of "the Officer star combining with Wealth," indicating that his talent earned him official recognition and esteem. At the same time, the Annual Branch You Metal served as the prosperous domain of Bing Fire, his regulating favorable element, allowing the Hurting Officer to display his brilliance to the fullest. The combined effects of the Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar produced a flowing structure in which the Eating God and Hurting Officer generated Wealth, and prosperous Wealth in turn generated the Officer—perfectly matching the prosperous and noble qualities of his Direct Wealth structure. This was why he could be swiftly reinstated after his mourning period and entrusted with the monumental cultural undertaking of compiling the official histories.