What are the Ten Gods?
The Ten Gods is a classification system of 10 relationships between the Day Master (yourself) and other stems in the chart. Through the Ten Gods, we interpret what each stem in your Bazi means to you.
The Ten Gods are determined by the productive/destructive relationships of the Five Elements and the combination of yin-yang.
💡 Principles of Ten Gods Determination
- Companions: Same element as yourself
- Output: Elements you produce
- Wealth: Elements you control
- Officer: Elements that control you
- Resource: Elements that produce you
* Same yin-yang = 'Indirect', different yin-yang = 'Direct'
Types of Ten Gods
Companions - Same Energy as You
Companion (比肩) - Shoulder to Shoulder
Same element, same yin-yang. Represents siblings, friends, colleagues, and competitors.
Traits: Self-esteem, independence, competitive spirit, stubbornness
Rob Wealth (劫財) - Robbing Wealth
Same element, different yin-yang. Also represents siblings and friends, but with stronger competition.
Traits: Drive, competitiveness, impatience, financial loss
Output - Energy You Produce
Eating God (食神) - God of Nourishment
Element you produce, same yin-yang. Represents children, expression, and talents.
Traits: Gentleness, optimism, material comfort, artistic nature
Hurting Officer (傷官) - Hurting Authority
Element you produce, different yin-yang. Strong expression and can be rebellious.
Traits: Eloquence, creativity, critical thinking, free-spirited
Wealth - Energy You Control
Indirect Wealth (偏財) - Windfall Wealth
Element you control, same yin-yang. Represents liquid assets, business, and investments.
Traits: Sociability, active lifestyle, investment-minded, entertainment
Direct Wealth (正財) - Proper Wealth
Element you control, different yin-yang. Represents earned income, salary, and savings.
Traits: Diligence, frugality, stability-seeking, family-oriented
Officer - Energy That Controls You
Indirect Officer (偏官) / Seven Killings (七殺)
Element that controls you, same yin-yang. Represents power, military authority, and strong control.
Traits: Charisma, decisiveness, authority, aggression
Direct Officer (正官) - Proper Authority
Element that controls you, different yin-yang. Represents honor, career, law, and discipline.
Traits: Responsibility, desire for honor, principled, conservative
Resource - Energy That Produces You
Indirect Resource (偏印) / Owl God (梟神)
Element that produces you, same yin-yang. Represents specialized knowledge, skills, and arts.
Traits: Originality, unconventional, sensitivity, loneliness
Direct Resource (正印) - Proper Seal
Element that produces you, different yin-yang. Represents mother, education, and credentials.
Traits: Academic, compassionate, protective instinct, laziness
Applications of the Ten Gods
Various interpretations are possible depending on which Ten Gods appear in each position of the chart.
- Month Pillar Ten God: Social activities, career tendencies
- Day Branch Ten God: Spouse luck, domestic life
- Hour Pillar Ten God: Children luck, later years
- Abundant Ten God: Corresponding trait is strongly manifested
- Missing Ten God: Corresponding area is weak or has special significance
💡 Important Notes for Ten Gods Interpretation
The Ten Gods do not exist in isolation. Interpretations vary depending on their relationships with other Ten Gods, positions, and the flow of luck. For example, even if Hurting Officer is present, its negative traits are reduced if controlled by Resource.