What is Luck?
If the Four Pillars represent your innate Destiny (命),Luck (運) represents the energy that changes over time. Even people with identical Four Pillars will experience different life trajectories depending on the Luck cycles they encounter.
There are primarily two types of Luck: Major Luck Cycle (大運) and Annual Luck (歲運), along with Monthly Luck and Daily Luck.
Major Luck Cycle (大運)
The Major Luck Cycle changes every 10 years. It determines the major flow and direction of life and is considered crucial in Bazi interpretation.
💡 Principles of Major Luck Cycle Calculation
- Moves forward or backward from the Month Pillar
- Male born in yang year, female born in yin year → Forward
- Male born in yin year, female born in yang year → Backward
- Starting age is calculated based on the interval between birth and solar term
Structure of Major Luck Cycle
Major Luck Cycles also consist of a Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch. During the 10-year cycle, the first 5 years are influenced more by the Heavenly Stem, and the latter 5 years are influenced more by the Earthly Branch.
| Cycle | 1-10 yrs | 11-20 yrs | 21-30 yrs | 31-40 yrs | 41-50 yrs | ... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example | 丙寅 | 丁卯 | 戊辰 | 己巳 | 庚午 | ... |
* Actual starting age varies by individual
Interpreting Major Luck Cycles
- Favorable God Cycle: Period when luck improves
- Unfavorable God Cycle: Period with challenges
- Clash Cycle: Period with many changes and movements
- Harmony Cycle: Period when connections form
Annual Luck (歲運)
Annual Luck changes every year. It examines how that year's stem and branch interact with your Four Pillars. The commonly referred to 'fortune for this year' is Annual Luck.
📅 2024 Annual Luck
2024 is the Year of Wood Dragon (甲辰). Your fortune for 2024 is determined by how Wood Stem (甲木) and Dragon Branch (辰土) relate to your Four Pillars.
Interpreting Annual Luck
- Annual Luck harmonizes with chart: Good connections and opportunities arise
- Annual Luck clashes with chart: Changes, movement, conflicts
- Annual Luck is favorable: Good events are more likely
- Annual Luck is unfavorable: Year requiring caution
Relationship Between Major and Annual Luck
Major Luck Cycle represents the 10-year flow, while Annual Luck shows yearly variations within it. When both Major and Annual Luck are favorable, it becomes the best period. Even if Major Luck is good, if Annual Luck is unfavorable, that year requires caution.
Good Major + Good Annual
Best period. Great achievements possible.
Good Major + Bad Annual
Minor difficulties. Overall fine.
Bad Major + Good Annual
Brief respite. Must seize opportunities.
Bad Major + Bad Annual
Difficult period. Be patient, avoid risks.
Monthly and Daily Luck
For more detailed analysis, we also examine Monthly Luck and Daily Luck.
- Monthly Luck: Relationship between that month's stem-branch and the chart
- Daily Luck: Relationship between that day's stem-branch and the chart
However, Monthly and Daily Luck have less influence than Major or Annual Luck. They are typically consulted as reference when important events are approaching.
💡 Using Luck
Good luck doesn't automatically bring good fortune. Good luck represents 'opportunity', and seizing that opportunity requires your own effort. Conversely, during unfavorable luck, it's wise to avoid risks and build a solid foundation.
Conclusion
A more accurate fortune assessment is possible through comprehensive analysis of the Four Pillars (Destiny) and Major/Annual Luck. This service calculates both Major and Annual Luck together to show you the flow of fortune in present and future.