What are the Four Pillars?
The Four Pillars represent the year, month, day, and hour of one's birth. Each pillar consists of two characters: a Heavenly Stem (天干) and an Earthly Branch (地支), totaling eight characters. This is the 'Eight Characters (八字)'.
| Type | Year Pillar | Month Pillar | Day Pillar | Hour Pillar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavenly Stem | 甲 | 丙 | 戊 | 庚 |
| Earthly Branch | 子 | 寅 | 辰 | 午 |
Example: 甲子 year, 丙寅 month, 戊辰 day, 庚午 hour
Year Pillar (年柱) - Roots
Period: Ages 0-15 (Childhood)
The Year Pillar represents the birth year and corresponds to the roots in Korean Fortune.
- Ancestral fortune: Influence of grandparents and family lineage
- Childhood: Early environment and experiences
- Social image: First impression others perceive
- Relationship with nation and society
Month Pillar (月柱) - Trunk
Period: Ages 16-30 (Youth)
The Month Pillar represents the birth month and corresponds to the trunk in Korean Fortune. It is considered one of the most important pillars.
- Parental fortune: Relationship with parents, family environment
- Youth period: Growth phase, education, entering society
- Siblings: Relationships with brothers and sisters
- Social activities: Career and business foundation
Day Pillar (日柱) - Flower
Period: Ages 31-45 (Middle Age)
The Day Pillar represents the birth day and corresponds to the flower in Korean Fortune. Particularly, the Day Stem (日干) is the most essential character representing 'the self'.
- Self: One's essence and core personality
- Spouse fortune: The Day Branch (日支) is the spouse palace
- Middle age: Prime of life
- Family life: Life after marriage
💡 Importance of the Day Stem
The Day Stem is the center of Korean Fortune analysis. All other characters are interpreted in relation to the Day Stem. The Ten Gods are also derived from their relationship with the Day Stem, so the Day Stem represents 'you'.
Hour Pillar (時柱) - Fruit
Period: Age 46+ (Late Years)
The Hour Pillar represents the birth hour and corresponds to the fruit in Korean Fortune. It shows the fruition of life and one's later years.
- Children fortune: Relationship with children, descendants
- Late years: Quality of life in old age
- Fruition: Overall life achievements
- Disciples and subordinates: Relationships with juniors and employees
Relationships Among the Four Pillars
The Four Pillars do not exist independently but are organically connected to each other. Deeper interpretation is possible by analyzing the relationships between pillars (harmony, clash, punishment, harm, etc.).
Just as a tree starts from roots, grows through the trunk, blooms flowers, and bears fruit, life also begins with ancestors and childhood (Year Pillar), goes through the growth phase (Month Pillar), reaches its prime (Day Pillar), and reaps the harvest in old age (Hour Pillar).