Feng Youlan, courtesy name Zhisheng, was born on December 4, 1895, in Tanghe, Henan. He was a renowned modern Chinese philosopher and historian of philosophy, and a leading representative of New Confucianism. Over the course of his life he witnessed the monumental transformations of his era, yet remained steadfast in his philosophical inquiry and writing. His History of Chinese Philosophy is regarded as a foundational work of the discipline, and the system of "New Rational Learning" (Xin Li Xue) that he created has had a far-reaching influence.
BaZi Chart
BaZi Analysis
Mr. Feng Youlan was born in a Yi Wei year, a Ding Hai month, on a Yi You day, and during a Ren Wu hour. The Day Master is Yi Wood. The Month Command, Hai Water, serves as the Direct Resource (Zheng Yin), and the Hour Stem reveals Ren Water as Direct Resource, forming an image of Water nourishing Wood that signifies brilliance. This indicates profound erudition and deep, penetrating thought. The Month Stem, Ding Fire, is the Eating God (Shi Shen), representing talent, literary output, and expression. It resonates with the Ding Fire hidden in the Year Branch Wei, constituting a structure where the Eating God expresses brilliance (Shi Shen Tu Xiu). This is precisely the astrological foundation that enabled him to write monumental works such as History of Chinese Philosophy and New Rational Learning, and to become a preeminent philosophical master of his generation.
Wisdom and Erudition
In the BaZi (Si Zhu), the Ren Water Direct Resource appears in the Hour Stem, and the Month Command of Hai Water also serves as Resource. With Water generating Wood, the Resource element is strong and prosperous. This endows him with innate brilliance, exceptional memory and comprehension, and a deep capacity for scholarly accumulation and philosophical speculation.
Talent and Expression
The Month Stem reveals the Ding Fire Eating God, representing outstanding talent and creative power. The combination of the Eating God with the Resource element allowed him to translate profound thoughts into clear, systematic prose, resulting in a prolific body of work that continues to influence later generations.
Resilience and Adaptability
The Day Master, Yi Wood, is innately supple and resilient. Although the Day Pillar sits on Yi You, with You Metal acting as Seven Killings (Qi Sha) closely restricting the Day Master, this signifies the pressures, challenges, and constraints of authority that accompanied him throughout life. In his early years, the Luck Pillars of Bing Xu and Yi You brought both Hurting Officer and Rob Wealth, which favored academic pursuits and the broadening of horizons, enabling him to enter Peking University and later study at Columbia University. In midlife, the Luck Pillars of Gui Wei and Ren Wu strengthened the Resource element, marking the peak of his scholarly creativity, during which he completed the "Six Books of Zhen Yuan." In his later years, under the Geng Chen Direct Officer (Zheng Guan) and Ji Mao Indirect Wealth (Pian Cai) Luck Pillars, he faced mixed Officer and Killings, with the Wealth element damaging the Resource. This corresponded to the criticism, hardship, and intellectual struggle he endured during a particularly difficult historical period. However, because the Resource element was deeply rooted in his natal chart, it continually sustained his inner spiritual world, allowing him to complete the New Edition of the History of Chinese Philosophy in his final years.
Contradictions and Struggles
With Seven Killings attacking the Day Master in the natal chart, and a Luck Pillar in which the Wealth element damaged the Resource, his life was frequently caught between the contradictions of idealism and authority, and between academic independence and the tide of the times. He underwent profound inner struggles, which are reflected in the several shifts in his intellectual trajectory.
Life Timeline
1902
Age 7
Early Tutoring: The Literary Star First Shines
This year was the Ren Yin Annual Pillar. The Heavenly Stem revealed the Ren Water Direct Resource, which governs academic study, documents, and the mother. The Annual Pillar and the Month Pillar formed a simultaneous combination of stem and branch: Ding and Ren combined into Wood, while Hai and Yin combined into Wood. This powerfully activated the Resource element in the natal chart, serving as a clear sign of excellent fortune for study. At the same time, the Yin Wood of the Annual Pillar contained the hidden Bing Fire, which served as the favorable element for regulating the climate. It dispelled the wintry cold, drew the Yi Wood toward the sun, and enriched his inner life, further facilitating the absorption of knowledge. His mother overseeing his education perfectly matched the image of the Annual Pillar's Resource element combining with the Month Pillar, which represents the parents' palace. Although his formal Luck Pillars had not yet begun, the auspicious signs of this Annual Pillar were already apparent, laying a crucial astrological foundation for his lifelong erudition and thought.
1908
Age 13
A Pillar Falls: The Family Declines
His father, Feng Taiyi, passed away from illness while serving as a magistrate in Chongyang County, Hubei. The young Feng Youlan accompanied his mother in escorting his father's coffin back to their hometown in Tanghe, Henan, ending his brief life as the son of an official family and transferring to a local private school to continue his studies.
This year, Feng Youlan was in the Bing Xu Luck Pillar, representing the Hurting Officer (Shang Guan), and the Annual Pillar was Wu Shen. Astrologically, the father is represented by the Wealth star. The Year Pillar is Yi Wei, and hidden within Wei is the Indirect Wealth of Ji Earth, which represents the father. The Earthly Branch Xu in the Luck Pillar formed a punishment and destruction with the Year Branch Wei. This is an image of damaged foundations and an unsettled household, striking directly at the Indirect Wealth star that represents the father. In the Wu Shen Annual Pillar, the Heavenly Stem Wu Earth revealed the Direct Wealth, making the Wealth star appear outwardly significant. However, the Shen Metal in the branch engaged in a harm relationship with the Hai Water of the Month Pillar. Because the Month Pillar represents the parents' palace, this further intensified the turbulence in the family sphere. Meanwhile, the branches of the Day Pillar, Luck Pillar, and Annual Pillar combined to form a directional frame of Metal, causing the power of Officer and Killings to suddenly swell. This placed immense pressure on the weak Yi Wood Day Master, symbolizing severe external challenges and a life-altering event. Taken together, the Wealth star was punished and broken at its foundation, while the parents' palace suffered harm from the Annual Pillar, accurately foretelling the early death of his father and the decline of his family's fortunes.
1910
Age 15
Enlightenment by New Learning: The Intellect Awakens
He was admitted to the preparatory program of the Tanghe County Public Higher Primary School, where he began to receive a modern education and laid the intellectual foundation for his future path.
This year was the Geng Xu Annual Pillar. The Heavenly Stem, Geng Metal Direct Officer, combined with the Yi Wood of both the Year and Day Pillars, forming a combination that transformed into Metal. The Officer star represents academic study, renown, and official recognition. The combination of the Annual Pillar with the Officer star signaled new academic opportunities and progress of an official nature, which corresponded perfectly to his admission to a modern school. At the same time, the Bing Xu Luck Pillar revealed the Hurting Officer in the stem, allowing his talent to shine. The Xu Earth in the branch provided a grounding place for the favorable Wu Earth, offering effective climatic regulation that was beneficial for learning new subjects. However, the Annual Pillar also formed a punishment and destruction with the Year Branch Wei, making it a year of punishing and destroying the Grand Duke (Tai Sui). This suggests that his academic journey or family environment may have been accompanied by certain pressures and changes, requiring him to overcome difficulties in order to succeed.
1911
Age 17
Double Happiness: Studying in Kaifeng and a Joyous Union
In 1911, he was admitted to the secondary program at Kaifeng's Zhongzhou Public School, embarking on a new stage of his academic career. That same year, he married Madam Wu Shuzhen and started a family.
This year fell within the Bing Xu Luck Pillar, representing the Hurting Officer, and the Annual Pillar was Xin Hai. The Heavenly Stem of the Luck Pillar, Bing Fire as the Hurting Officer, was a favorable element in the natal chart, signifying the display of talent and academic advancement—which aligned perfectly with his admission to a prestigious school. The Heavenly Stem of the Annual Pillar, Xin Metal as Seven Killings, clashed with the Yi Wood of the Year and Day Pillars, but also combined with the Bing Fire of the Luck Pillar stem. Through this combination of Bing and Xin transforming into Water, the pressure of Seven Killings and the talent of the Hurting Officer were transmuted into the Direct Resource, favoring documents and academic pursuits. The Earthly Branch Hai Water, representing the Direct Resource, formed a self-punishment with the Hai Water of the Month Pillar. This activated the parents' palace and the Resource star; although it brought family matters to attend to (such as marriage), the Annual Pillar also brought the symbolic star of the National Seal Nobleman, signifying official recognition and academic success, allowing him to enroll smoothly. His marriage also came to pass in a year when Seven Killings was combined and the Resource star—representing certificates and family—was activated.
1912
Age 17
Studies in Shanghai: The Gate to Logic Opens
With outstanding results, he was admitted to the university preparatory program at the China Public School in Shanghai. There he encountered original Western texts on logic and received systematic training in rigorous thinking, laying a crucial foundation for his future scholarly research.
This year fell within the Bing Xu Luck Pillar, where the Heavenly Stem revealed Bing Fire as the Hurting Officer, representing the release of talent and learning ability. The Annual Pillar was Ren Zi. The Heavenly Stem, Ren Water as the Direct Resource, combined with the Month Stem Ding Fire Eating God, creating a combination of Ding and Ren that transformed into Wood. This converted the energies of the Eating God and the Direct Resource into the power of a Friend, giving him an edge in fiercely competitive examinations—precisely what is meant by "an Annual Pillar combining with the Direct Resource signifies excellent fortune for study and exams." At the same time, symbolic stars associated with scholarship in the Hour Pillar, such as the Heavenly Kitchen Nobleman and the Literary Arts Nobleman, were activated, bringing great benefit to his studies. It is worth noting, however, that the Ren Water of the Annual Pillar clashed with the Bing Fire of the Luck Pillar, and clashed with the parents' star in the Hour Pillar. This suggests that his studies may have been accompanied by separation from his family (or elders) or a change of environment. Yet this clash also served as a catalyst for breaking from the old and establishing the new, propelling him toward a broader horizon.
1915
Age 20
Vines Entwine the Pine: Admission to the Imperial University
He was admitted to the Chinese Philosophy program in the humanities faculty of Peking University. He studied under eminent scholars such as Hu Shi and Liang Shuming, embarking on a systematic study of philosophy and laying the cornerstone for his profound future academic accomplishments.
This year, the Day Master was in the Yi You Luck Pillar, and the Annual Pillar was Yi Mao. The natal chart itself constituted a Direct Resource structure, favoring Fire and Earth while disfavoring Wood and Water. The Annual Pillar combined with the Luck Pillar and the natal chart to form a three-harmony frame of Wood. The power of Friend was exceptionally strong, representing a scenario where the unfavorable element ran rampant and signifying fierce competition. Nevertheless, this Wood frame also activated the Study Hall and Literary Arts Nobleman in the Year Pillar, channeling the intense energy of competition into the academic sphere. The Mao Wood in the Annual Pillar clashed with the You Metal (Seven Killings) in the Day Branch. This clash stirred up the Seven Killings, which represent career and pressure, serving as a signal for major life changes and breakthroughs. Meanwhile, auspicious symbolic stars gathered: the Heavenly Virtue Nobleman, the God of Prosperity, and the General Star. The General Star denotes leadership ability and rising prominence, while the God of Prosperity brings stable blessings and opportunities. In a year when the unfavorable element was overwhelmingly strong, these auspicious stars acted like beacons in the night, guiding the Day Master to transform competitive pressure into the driving force for academic advancement. He successfully entered the nation's highest institution of learning, achieving a pivotal turning point in the trajectory of his life.
1918
Age 23
Academic Laurels and First Steps as a Teacher
He graduated from the Philosophy Department of Peking University and immediately took a teaching post at the Henan First Industrial School, instructing students in Chinese language and moral cultivation courses, thus launching his professional career in education.
This year was the Wu Wu Annual Pillar, marking a crucial period of dual harvest in both his studies and his career. The Heavenly Stem Wu Earth served as the Direct Wealth and was the astrological favorable element for regulating the climate, representing stable rewards and a professional platform. The Earthly Branch Wu Fire acted as the Eating God, representing the display of talent and eloquence in expression. The Wu Fire activated the Eating God in the Hour Pillar, and combined with the Wei Earth of the Year Pillar, stimulating a structure in which the Eating God generates Wealth. This favored the conversion of acquired knowledge (Eating God) into tangible professional achievements (Wealth). At the same time, the Annual Pillar brought the simultaneous arrival of the Literary Arts Nobleman and the Heavenly Kitchen Nobleman. The former signifies the successful fulfillment of academic aspirations, while the latter portends the joy of teaching and sustenance, perfectly reflecting his graduation from a prestigious university and his ascent to the lectern. Although the repetition of the Yi You Luck Pillar over the Day Pillar brought a certain inner pressure, the potent energy of the favorable element in the Annual Pillar successfully transformed that pressure into motivation, establishing the starting point of his career.
1919
Age 24
Writing from the Heart: Pioneering the New Culture in Henan
Together with friends such as Ji Wenfu, he founded the monthly journal Voice of the Heart (Xinsheng), dedicating himself to promoting the New Culture and new ideas. It became the only New Culture publication in Henan Province at the time and marked the starting point of his career in cultural enlightenment.
This year fell within the Yi You Luck Pillar. The Heavenly Stem of the Luck Pillar revealed a Friend, denoting cooperation and the assistance of peers, which matched the image of founding a journal with friends. The Annual Pillar was Ji Wei. The Heavenly Stem revealed Indirect Wealth, while the branch grounded the Eating God; the combination of Wealth and Eating God signified the opportunity to transform thought (Eating God) into concrete achievements (Wealth). The symbolic stars for the year included the Canopy Star, indicating the manifestation of unique talents and favoring cultural creation and the dissemination of ideas. Although the repetition and punishment between the Luck Pillar and the Day Pillar may have caused some inner conflict, the activation of the Eating God energy in the Annual Pillar provided the perfect outlet for expressing this internal dialectic and tension through the written word, thereby achieving a professional milestone.
1919
Age 24
Crossing the Seas: A Journey Westward for Study
He qualified for a government-funded study abroad program and set off for the United States, embarking on his overseas academic career. This was a major turning point in his life's trajectory.
This year fell within the Yi You Luck Pillar. The repetition of the Luck Pillar over the Day Pillar brought frequent inner wavering and a desire for change, signaling an impending shift in his environment. The Annual Pillar was Ji Wei. The Heavenly Stem revealed the Ji Earth Indirect Wealth, an elemental energy favored by the natal chart, representing opportunity and tangible rewards—fitting perfectly with his "qualification for public funding." The Earthly Branch Wei Earth served as the storage of Wealth and was also a favorable element. Concealed within it was the Ding Fire Eating God, which governs talent, study, and long journeys. Being well-grounded, it allowed his academic abilities to flourish, making his journey overseas a natural progression. At the same time, the Annual Pillar brought the Canopy Star, which signifies nobility, aloofness, unique talent, and an affinity for scholarship. This resonated perfectly with the act of crossing the ocean to devote himself to study. The You Metal Seven Killings in the Luck Pillar branch had no direct interaction with the Wei Earth of the Annual Pillar, yet the pressure of Seven Killings was transmuted here into a driving force for academic and professional pursuit.
1920
Age 25
Vines Entwine the Pine: Crossing the Ocean to Columbia
He entered the Philosophy Department of Columbia University in the United States for advanced study. He studied under the renowned philosopher and educational reformer John Dewey. His academic potential was highly recognized, and he was hailed as "genuine scholar material," laying a profound foundation for his future scholarship.
This year fell within the Yi You Luck Pillar (1914–1923). The repetition of the Luck Pillar over the Day Pillar signified constant inner reflection and profound introspection—an ideal state of mind for the pursuit of knowledge and truth. The Annual Pillar was Ji Wei. The Heavenly Stem revealed Indirect Wealth (Ji Earth), an elemental energy favored by the natal chart, representing new opportunities and resources. The Earthly Branch Wei Earth provided a strong foundation for the Wealth star and resonated with the Wei Earth in the Year Pillar, creating an image of distant travel. The Canopy Star appeared in the Annual Pillar, signifying the prominence of talent and favoring the pursuit of advanced learning. Meanwhile, hidden within the Wei branch was Fire (the Ding Fire Eating God); as a favorable element finding grounding, the Eating God represents thought, expression, and academics. Resonating from afar with the Ding Fire Eating God in the Month Pillar, it allowed him to navigate the realm of philosophical speculation with ease. The You Metal Seven Killings in the Luck Pillar branch and the Wei Earth Wealth star in the Annual Pillar created a flowing dynamic where Killings generated Resource. Pressure (Seven Killings) was transmuted into knowledge (Direct Resource), serving as the precise astrological portrait of his journey overseas to study under a master and launch his scholarly career.
1923
Age 28
Returning Home in Triumph: Teaching at Zhongzhou
Having successfully defended his doctoral dissertation at Columbia University in the United States, he immediately returned to China. He was appointed as a professor in the Philosophy Department of Zhongzhou University (present-day Henan University) and concurrently served as the head of the humanities faculty, thus beginning his teaching career.
This year marked the final year of the Yi You Luck Pillar. The repetition of the Luck Pillar over the Day Pillar induced inner repetition and immense pressure, yet it was also a period of deep reflection and self-breakthrough. The Annual Pillar was Gui Hai. The Heavenly Stem Gui Water served as the Indirect Resource, while the Earthly Branch Hai Water served as the Direct Resource, forming a dual appearance of the Resource star, which governs academic study, reputation, and benefactors. The Hai Water in the Annual Pillar branch activated the Ding Hai of the Month Pillar; although there was a punishment, it also stimulated the natal chart's dynamic of Seven Killings generating Resource, converting pressure (Seven Killings) into knowledge and status (Resource star). The Annual Pillar brought the symbolic star of the National Seal Nobleman, signifying official recognition and the granting of a position, perfectly corresponding to his appointment as a professor. The General Star from the Luck Pillar also manifested at this time, allowing his leadership abilities to shine, which led to his concurrent appointment as head of the humanities faculty.