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Nayin Stem Assignment and Hexagram Setup

The Nayin stem assignment method is one of the core techniques of Liu Yao (Six Lines) divination, created by Jing Fang of the Han dynasty. Its purpose is to "assign" the Heavenly Stems (Tian Gan) and Earthly Branches (Di Zhi) into the six line positions of a hexagram, thereby establishing a connection with the Five Elements (Wu Xing) and Six Relations. This equips the hexagram with an analyzable information structure.

Basic Rules of Nayin Stem Assignment

Each of the eight trigrams has a fixed configuration of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches:

Qian hexagram is assigned Jia and Ren: First line Zi Water, second line Yin Wood, third line Chen Earth, fourth line Wu Fire, fifth line Shen Metal, top line Xu Earth Kun hexagram is assigned Yi and Gui: First line Wei Earth, second line Si Fire, third line Mao Wood, fourth line Chou Earth, fifth line Hai Water, top line You Metal

The other six hexagrams also each have fixed Nayin stem assignment patterns, which must be memorized or referenced from a chart.

Steps for Hexagram Setup

1. Determine the hexagram name - Identify the upper trigram and lower trigram
2. Find the governing palace - Determine which palace the hexagram belongs to
3. Assign the Earthly Branches - Match the Earthly Branches to the six lines according to the Nayin stem assignment rules
4. Establish the subject and object - Determine the positions of the subject line (Shi Yao) and the object line (Ying Yao)
5. Assign the Six Relations - Determine the Six Relations based on the relationship between the Five Elements of the hexagram's palace and the Earthly Branches of each line
6. Match the Six Spirits - Match the six spirits, such as the Azure Dragon and the Vermilion Bird, based on the day's stem

Example of Hexagram Setup

Using the "Heavenly Fire Tong Ren (Fellowship)" hexagram as an example (upper Qian, lower Li, belonging to the Qian palace):

• Top line: Xu Earth (Parents)
• Fifth line: Shen Metal (Brothers) —— Subject
• Fourth line: Wu Fire (Officers and Ghosts)
• Third line: Si Fire (Officers and Ghosts)
• Second line: Mao Wood (Wealth) —— Object
• First line: Chou Earth (Parents)

Key Concepts

Subject line: Represents the querent themselves Object line: Represents the other party or the matter being inquired about Hexagram palace: Determines the standard for assigning the Six Relations

Modern Tools

Although modern computer programs can automatically set up a hexagram, understanding the underlying principles of hexagram setup is crucial for accurate interpretation. The practice of manually setting up a hexagram helps one understand the origins and interrelationships of the various pieces of information within the hexagram.