Zhu Yuanzhang

BaZi Chart

Year Pillar Direct Wealth Wu Chen Direct Wealth Friend Indirect Resource Month Pillar Direct Resource Ren Xu Direct Wealth Seven Killings Eating God Day Pillar Male Day Master Yi You Seven Killings · · Hour Pillar Seven Killings Xin Si Hurting Officer Direct Officer Direct Wealth

Verification of Birth Hour

The Xin–Si hour is selected. For a Yi Day Master in the You month, the Day Master is a weak Day Master (shen ruo) oppressed by Metal. The presence of the Ren Direct Resource (Zheng Yin) in the Month Pillar reflects his early years as a Buddhist novice, his education, and his capacity for forbearance. The Xin in the Hour Stem is Seven Killings (Qi Sha), and the hidden stems in Si include Bing, Geng, and Wu. With Seven Killings prominent and supported by the Bing Hurting Officer and the Geng Direct Officer, he possessed both the martial daring to charge into battle and the iron will to build institutions and maintain rule through strict laws and harsh punishments. This structure channels the forbearance of the Indirect Resource and the strategic brilliance of the Hurting Officer into decisive action, explaining the dual nature of a man who rose from commoner to emperor, founded a dynasty through war, and ruthlessly purged meritorious officials. By comparison, a birth hour emphasizing the Direct Officer would lean toward civil governance; a Rob Wealth (Jie Cai) or Friend (Bi Jian) hour would favor factionalism or pure self-reliance. Only the Xin–Si hour balances military decisiveness with centralized authority, and it aligns with his Luck Pillars (Da Yun) between 1359 and 1368, facilitating his victories at the Battle of Lake Poyang and the Northern Expedition.

Core Analysis

Zhu Yuanzhang's BaZi (Ba Zi) has a Yi Day Master, with the Year Pillar at Wu–Chen, the Month Pillar at Ren–Xu, and the Hour Pillar at Xin–Si. The hidden stems (cang gan) and Earthly Branches (Di Zhi) interweave, presenting a complex configuration in which Seven Killings serves as the favorable element (yong shen), bolstered by Resource stars. A dominant Seven Killings brings decisiveness, valor, and fearlessness in the face of obstacles—qualities suited to raising an army, campaigning, and rising as a warlord—while the coordination of Resource stars with Eating God and Hurting Officer endows him with strategic vision and administrative competence.

The progression of his Luck Pillars profoundly shaped his life. In his youth, Luck Pillars of Indirect Resource and Rob Wealth tempered his patience. At midlife, he entered the Hurting Officer and Eating God Luck Pillars of Bing–Yin and Ding–Mao, which favored military decision-making and the support of civil advisors, facilitating unification and his ascension to the throne. In his later years, the Wu–Chen and Ji–Si Luck Pillars brought intertwined Wealth and Officer elements; although these stabilized his authority, they also provoked clashes between Officer and Killings and heightened his paranoia, resonating with his large-scale political purges of meritorious officials.

Trait Analysis

1. Leadership and Command BaZi basis: The Yi Day Master, energized by Seven Killings, manifests as resolute decision-making and commanding talent, achieving the leadership to unify the realm.

2. Military Strategy BaZi basis: The coordination of Eating God and Hurting Officer with Seven Killings in the pillars, reinforced by the Bing–Yin and Ding–Mao Luck Pillars, favored the deployment of troops and battlefield decisions, reflecting extraordinary military ability.

3. Capacity for State-Building BaZi basis: Resource stars and the Eating God nourished the Day Master and, together with his midlife Luck Pillars, facilitated institutional construction such as military agricultural colonies, water conservancy projects, and the reorganization of household registration.

4. Paranoia and Harsh Punishments BaZi basis: In his later years, the interweaving of Wealth and Officer and the evident clash between Officer and Killings led to heavy suspicion and ruthless anti-corruption campaigns, resulting in a tendency toward large-scale purges of meritorious officials.

Life Timeline

1344 Luck Pillar Jia–Zi Annual Pillar Jia–Shen Annual Pillar clashes with the spouse star Three-harmony Water frame strengthens Resource Wealth star excessively strong as an unfavorable element Seven Killings attacks the Day Master Age 16

Family Destroyed, a Lonely Star Emerges

In the fourth month of Zhizheng 4, within less than half a month, Zhu Yuanzhang's parents and elder brother died one after another from drought and plague. The family was instantly thrust into destitution, and the sixteen-year-old was left a completely orphaned youth with no one to rely on.

BaZi Analysis This year's Annual Pillar, Jia–Shen, combined with the natal chart and the Luck Pillar to form a Chen–Zi–Shen three-harmony Water frame (san he). Water, as the favorable Resource star, would ordinarily signify support from benefactors. However, the natal chart itself had the Wealth star (Earth) excessively strong as an unfavorable element (ji shen), already showing the sign of "a poor man in a rich man's house," indicating an unstable family foundation. The Annual Pillar's branch, Shen Metal, joined with the Day Pillar's You Metal and the Month Pillar's Xu Earth to form a Xu–You–Shen directional Metal frame (hui ju). Metal, as the unfavorable Officer and Killings, represents pressure, calamity, illness, and forces that oppress the Day Master, and its power was immense. Most critically, the Heavenly Stems (Tian Gan) of the Annual Pillar, Luck Pillar, and Year Pillar formed a triple clash on the spouse star (Direct Wealth Wu Earth). In a man's chart, Direct Wealth also represents the father and wife—a profoundly ominous sign portending major disasters for close kin. Although the Jia Wood Rob Wealth penetrated the stems to aid the Day Master, in the face of the surging force of Earth and Metal as unfavorable elements, it was like a cup of water thrown on a burning cart of firewood, powerless to avert the tragedy of a family destroyed and kin lost.

1348 Luck Pillar Jia–Zi Annual Pillar Wu–Zi Resource star becomes rooted in the branches Benefactors converge Age 20

Return from Wandering, a Thirst for Knowledge

After three years of enduring the hardships of wandering and begging for alms, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to Huangjue Temple. He did not rest there, but instead began to study reading and writing with fierce determination, broadly engaging with the social currents of thought, accumulating knowledge and vision for the future.

BaZi Analysis This year fell on the final year of the Jia–Zi Luck Pillar. Both the Luck Pillar and the Annual Pillar carried the Zi Water branch. Water, as the favorable Resource star in the natal chart, governs learning, stability, and foundations. The Zi Water formed a half-combination Water frame with the Year Pillar's Chen Earth, strengthening the Resource star and signifying the end of his drifting and his return to an environment that could provide spiritual nourishment and opportunities for study. The Annual Pillar's stem showed the Wu Earth Direct Wealth; although an unfavorable element, it was controlled by the Jia Wood Rob Wealth in the Luck Pillar, representing that material hardship (the end of begging for alms) did not hinder his spiritual pursuits. At the same time, the Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar carried the Heavenly Yi (Tian Yi) Nobleman, Taiji (Tai Ji) Nobleman, and General Star symbolic stars (shen sha). With benefactor stars assembled in force, this period of quiet study was the crucial phase in which his wisdom awakened and the foundation for his future leadership abilities was laid.

1352 Luck Pillar Yi–Chou Annual Pillar Ren–Chen Annual Pillar clashes with the Month Pillar Day Pillar combines with Wealth and Officer Favorable elements penetrate the stems and become rooted Seven Killings undergoes combination Canopy Nobleman Age 24

Dragon Hidden in the Deep, Joining the Red Turbans Amid Gathering Storms

Zhu Yuanzhang received a letter from Tang He. After a senior brother warned him of the risk of being reported, he resolutely joined the Red Turban army led by Guo Zixing, embarking on the path of rebellion against the Yuan dynasty.

BaZi Analysis This year, Zhu Yuanzhang was in the Yi–Chou Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar's stem, Yi Wood, penetrated as a Friend (Bi Jian)—a favorable element—signifying that the strength of peers, friends, and team camaraderie was activated. The Annual Pillar, Ren–Chen, showed the Ren Water Direct Resource penetrating the stem, also a favorable element, representing ideology, reputation, and benefactors. With the Resource star penetrating the stem, his talents and ambitions were poised for recognition, while the Friend penetrating the stem meant he would integrate into a powerful collective. Most crucially, the Annual Pillar's branch, Chen Earth, clashed with the natal chart's Month Pillar branch, Xu Earth. The Chen–Xu clash is an image of violent environmental upheaval, directly striking open the Month Pillar that represented his original environment and foundation, and also agitating the Wealth storehouse. This foretold the shattering of the old order, with new opportunities (Wealth) emerging amid the turbulence. Meanwhile, the Annual Pillar's Chen Earth combined with the Day Pillar's You Metal. The Chen–You combination producing Metal brought the Seven Killings of the day branch—representing power, pressure, and transformation—into the natal chart, meaning he would actively embrace and master this challenging and opportunity-laden force of change. The symbolic stars of the Canopy Nobleman and Heavenly Official Nobleman appeared together in the Annual Pillar. The Canopy governs unique talent and solitude, while the Heavenly Official Nobleman signifies promotion and official advancement. This perfectly corresponded to his life turning point: joining a rebel army and launching an extraordinary political career through unconventional means.

1353 Luck Pillar Yi–Chou Annual Pillar Gui–Si Three-harmony Officer and Killings frame Friend penetrates the stem Favorable element for regulating the climate Age 25

Gathering at Fengyang, the Twenty-Four Generals of HuaiXi Reveal Their Brilliance

Zhu Yuanzhang returned to his hometown of Fengyang and successfully recruited over seven hundred local soldiers. Twenty-four core generals, including Xu Da and Tang He, gathered under his command, forming his initial inner circle of trusted followers and laying the first cornerstone for his future hegemony.

BaZi Analysis This year, Zhu Yuanzhang was in the Yi–Chou Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar's stem, Yi Wood, served as a Friend, making it exactly the time to forge wide alliances and achieve deeds through the support of brothers and friends. The Annual Pillar, Gui–Si, had the Gui Water as the Indirect Resource (Pian Yin)—the regulating element (tiao hou yong shen) in his BaZi—representing the manifestation of wisdom, strategy, and the support of benefactors. Most critically, the Annual Pillar's branch Si, the Luck Pillar's branch Chou, and the natal Day Pillar's branch You formed a three-harmony Metal frame, creating a powerful Officer and Killings configuration. Although this frame was composed of unfavorable elements, Officer and Killings represent power, armies, and subordinates. For a weak Day Master, the formation of an Officer and Killings frame is normally immense pressure. However, with the Luck Pillar's Friend penetrating the stem and the Annual Pillar's Resource star regulating the climate, it formed precisely the structure of "Killings generating Resource" (Sha Yin Xiang Sheng) and "Friend resisting Killings" (Bi Jian Kang Sha). This transformed pressure into an excellent opportunity to build a team and consolidate armed force. Returning to his hometown to recruit troops was an act in perfect accordance with this mighty Officer and Killings energy, converting a latent crisis (strong Metal oppressing the Day Master) into the foundation for a new enterprise (commanding an armed force).

1354 Luck Pillar Yi–Chou Annual Pillar Jia–Wu Friend penetrates the stem Seven Killings is controlled Benefactor support Eating God and Hurting Officer generate Wealth Age 26

Dragon Hidden in the Deep, First Display of Edge

Zhu Yuanzhang led his troops south, accepted the surrender of the Dingyuan militia, launched a night raid on the Yuan forces at Hengjianshan, forced Miao Daheng to surrender, and subsequently captured Chuzhou. He established his crucial first military stronghold, and from there his career territory unfolded.

BaZi Analysis This year's Annual Pillar, Jia–Wu, showed the Jia Wood Rob Wealth penetrating the stem. Standing as an ally with the Yi Wood Day Master, it strengthened the Day Master's power and capacity for action, facilitating the recruitment of troops and the expansion of forces. The branch Wu Fire served as the Eating God, able to generate the Wealth star and also to control the Seven Killings in the Hour Pillar. This represents using strategy (Eating God) to command martial force (Seven Killings)—exactly the image of the night raid on Hengjianshan. In the Yi–Chou Luck Pillar, the Friend penetrated the stem to aid the Day Master, while the Chou Earth Indirect Wealth served as a foundation. Although an unfavorable element, it was generated by the Annual Pillar's Wu Fire; the unfavorable element was put to use, transforming into actual resources and territory (the capture of Chuzhou). At the same time, the Annual Pillar encountered the Taiji Nobleman and Wenchang Nobleman symbolic stars, signifying extraordinary strategic brilliance and the ability to receive help from experts (such as Miao Daheng), laying a solid foundation for his enterprise.

1355 Luck Pillar Yi–Chou Annual Pillar Yi–Wei Friend penetrates the stem Chou–Wei clash Three punishments enter the chart Heavenly Yi Nobleman Age 27

Establishing a Foothold at Hezhou, Enforcing Strict Military Discipline

Zhu Yuanzhang captured Hezhou and was appointed Commander-in-Chief. He immediately set about rectifying military discipline, ordering the return of all looted women. With strict discipline and acts of righteousness, he rapidly won the hearts of the people, laying a solid popular foundation for future development.

BaZi Analysis This year, Zhu Yuanzhang was in the Yi–Chou Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar at Yi–Wei. The Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar stems showed twin Yi Wood Friends penetrating—favorable to the Yi Wood Day Master—representing the immense manifestation of his personal ability and leadership. The strong support of peers and partners (Friends) formed the BaZi basis for his ability to rapidly consolidate forces and capture cities. However, the Annual Pillar's branch, Wei, clashed with the Luck Pillar's branch, Chou, forming a Chou–Wei clash, and together with the Month Pillar's Xu, constituted a Xu–Chou–Wei three punishments (san xing) configuration. This violent clash and punishment among the branches, particularly as it agitated the strongholds of the Wealth star (Chou, Wei, and Xu all contain Earth), represented enormous environmental upheaval and challenge (the capturing of cities) on one hand, while on the other, it galvanized his determination and drive to restore order and eliminate abuses (such as the looting of women). The Annual Pillar encountered the Heavenly Yi Nobleman, signifying popular support and assistance. His righteous acts of enforcing strict military discipline and returning the looted women aligned perfectly with this image, allowing him to rapidly win the hearts of the people and transform turbulence (punishments and clashes) into an opportunity to consolidate power.

1356 Luck Pillar Yi–Chou Annual Pillar Bing–Shen Three-harmony Water frame Directional Metal frame Hurting Officer meeting Direct Officer Benefactors gather in force Age 28

Crouching Dragon, Seated Tiger, Establishing the Capital at Yingtian

Zhu Yuanzhang launched his third attack on Jiande (modern-day Nanjing) and succeeded, renaming it Yingtian Prefecture. He made it his military and political center for unifying the Jiangnan region, taking a crucial step toward establishing an imperial enterprise.

BaZi Analysis This year, the chart holder was in the Yi–Chou Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar's stem, Yi Wood, served as the favorable Friend element, representing the manifestation of personal energy and team strength. The Annual Pillar, Bing–Shen, featured the Bing Fire Hurting Officer penetrating the stem, representing strategy, decisiveness, and initiative, while the branch Shen Metal served as Officer and Killings, representing enterprise and power. The Annual Pillar formed multiple linkages with the natal chart and the Luck Pillar: the Year Pillar's Chen, the Hour Pillar's Zi, and the Annual Pillar's Shen formed a three-harmony Water frame. Water, as the favorable Direct Resource, signified obtaining crucial support and a stable foundation. The Month Pillar's Xu, the Day Pillar's You, and the Annual Pillar's Shen formed a directional Metal frame. Metal, as the unfavorable Officer and Killings, indicated that despite facing immense pressure and challenges in his enterprise, the directional frame also meant integrating that force into a powerful military and organizational strength. The Annual Pillar's stem, Bing Fire Hurting Officer, controlled the Month Stem's Ren Water Direct Resource—a case of the "Hurting Officer meeting Direct Officer" (Shang Guan Jian Guan)—signifying the shattering of the old order and the establishment of new rules, perfectly corresponding to his campaign of conquest. The symbolic stars in the Annual Pillar—assembled in force with the Heavenly Yi Nobleman, Heavenly Virtue Nobleman, Monthly Virtue Nobleman, Wenchang Nobleman, and Fortune Star—showed that this year he enjoyed the assistance of right timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony. Though situated in peril, he was able to turn danger into safety and ultimately achieve his great enterprise.

1359 Luck Pillar Bing–Yin Annual Pillar Ji–Hai Yin–Hai combination producing Wood Favorable elements become rooted in the branches Hurting Officer releases brilliance Post Horse undergoes combination Age 31

Dragon Coiled by the River's Left, Hegemony Initially Achieved

During the Bing–Yin Luck Pillar and the Ji–Hai Annual Pillar, Zhu Yuanzhang successively captured strategic strongholds including Changxing, Changzhou, Ningguo, Quzhou, and Chuzhou. He gained complete control over the vast territories of eastern Jiangnan (the left bank of the river and western Zhejiang), forming a north–south standoff with his fierce rival Chen Youliang, laying a solid foundation for his future unification of the realm.

BaZi Analysis This year, Zhu Yuanzhang was in the Bing–Yin Hurting Officer Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar at Ji–Hai. In his natal chart, the Yi Wood Day Master is weak, favoring the support of Water and Wood. The Annual Pillar's branch, Hai Water, serves as the Direct Resource, and the Luck Pillar's branch, Yin Wood, serves as Rob Wealth. The two formed a Yin–Hai combination, transforming into a vigorous Wood Qi—precisely the favorable element energy his chart most needed. The Hai Water Resource star represents bases of operation and prestige, while the Yin Wood Rob Wealth represents troops and expansionist power. Their combination meant he could effectively integrate resources, translating prestige (Resource) into actual military force (Rob Wealth), and thereby expanding his territory. At the same time, the Luck Pillar's stem, Bing Fire Hurting Officer, released his brilliance, endowing him with extraordinary strategy and decisiveness, and the courage to seize opportunities amid the chaos and take the initiative. The symbolic stars in the Annual Pillar included the National Seal and the Academic Hall, signifying that his enterprise received recognition and that his strategic layout (Academic Hall) was sound. This year, although the unfavorable Earth (Wealth star) penetrated the stem, it was controlled by the thriving favorable elements. This inversely signified his ability to master vast resources (the captured lands and wealth) rather than being dragged down by them.

1360 Luck Pillar Bing–Yin Annual Pillar Geng–Zi Hurting Officer meeting Direct Officer Annual Pillar combines with Direct Officer Heavenly Yi Nobleman General Star Age 32

Encountering a Talent of Ministerial Caliber, Establishing the Strategy for the Realm

Zhu Yuanzhang recruited Liu Ji (Liu Bowen) as a strategist. He adopted the strategy of "first Han, then Zhou" and established the long-term policy of "build high walls, store abundant grain, and delay claiming kingship," laying a solid strategic foundation for the future unification of the realm.

BaZi Analysis This year fell within the Bing–Yin Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar's stem, Bing Fire Hurting Officer, penetrated the stem, representing strategy, talent, and a will for transformation. The Annual Pillar, Geng–Zi, showed the Geng Metal Direct Officer combining with the Yi Wood Day Master—a Yi–Geng combination producing Metal—forming the complex situation of "Hurting Officer meeting Direct Officer" alongside the "combination with the Direct Officer." On one hand, the Hurting Officer gave him the boldness and vision to break convention and recruit brilliant talent (Liu Bowen); on the other, the Annual Pillar's Direct Officer coming into combination signified a crucial opportunity and an official form of recognition in his career (formulating strategy was akin to establishing an "official" platform). The Annual Pillar's branch, Zi Water, served as the Indirect Resource, giving the favorable Water element a root in the branches, representing wisdom, the counsel of strategists (Liu Ji), and inner stability. At the same time, the Annual Pillar's symbolic stars, the Heavenly Yi Nobleman and the General Star, appeared together, signifying exceptionally strong benefactor luck and favoring his role as the leadership core within his team. Taken together, this was a year in which the transformative force of the Luck Pillar (Hurting Officer) perfectly combined with the opportunities of the Annual Pillar (Officer combination) and wisdom (Resource star), facilitating this crucial strategic decision.

1363 Luck Pillar Bing–Yin Annual Pillar Gui–Mao Favorable directional Wood frame Annual Pillar clashes with the spouse palace Regulating Gui Water penetrates the stem Prosperity Star and Fortune Nobleman Age 35

Fire at Lake Poyang Decides the Realm, a Single Battle Establishes the Imperial Foundation

Zhu Yuanzhang personally led two hundred thousand troops to relieve Hongdu. He engaged in a decisive battle with Chen Youliang's six hundred thousand naval forces at Lake Poyang, ultimately triumphing against overwhelming odds and laying the cornerstone for his ascension as the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty.

BaZi Analysis This year fell within the Bing–Yin Luck Pillar. The Luck Pillar's stem, Bing Fire Hurting Officer, penetrated the stem, representing strategy, talent, and a will for transformation. The Annual Pillar, Gui–Mao, showed the Gui Water Direct Resource combining with the Yi Wood Day Master—a Yi–Gui combination producing Wood—forming a "favorable directional Wood frame," representing Zhu Yuanzhang's monumental achievements in both politics and warfare. The Annual Pillar's branch, Mao Wood, clashed with the natal chart's day branch, You Metal—a "clash with the spouse palace" (chong fu qi gong)—foretelling that even as he achieved military victory, he would face challenges in family and marital relations. The Annual Pillar's stem, Gui Water, penetrated as the regulating element, representing wisdom and strategy, and also indicating that after securing victory, Zhu Yuanzhang would confront a series of political challenges. The Annual Pillar's symbolic stars included the Prosperity Star and Fortune Nobleman, signifying recognition of his enterprise and a happy, harmonious family life. In this year, Zhu Yuanzhang triumphed against overwhelming odds, laying the cornerstone for his ascension as the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty.