Published byLee Cheng Hoe15 Sept 26
十天干：从五行看一个人的性格
在八字里面，十天干是非常重要的基础。
十天干分别是：
甲、乙、丙、丁、戊、己、庚、辛、壬、癸。
它们分别属于五行：
甲乙属木，丙丁属火，戊己属土，庚辛属金，壬癸属水。
五行不只是代表不同的自然现象，在传统命理的理论里面，也可以用来观察一个人的性格特点、处事方式，以及与别人相处的模式。
古人甚至把五行与人的品德联系起来：
木为仁，火为礼，土为信，金为义，水为智。
所以，学习十天干，并不只是学习五行，而是通过五行的性质，进一步了解一个人的基本性格。
________________________________________
日干就是“我”——也叫日元
在八字里面，日干就是“我”，也称为日元或日主。
所以，当我们分析一个人的八字时，第一步通常就是先看他的日干是什么。
例如：
甲木日主，就是甲木人；
乙木日主，就是乙木人；
丙火日主，就是丙火人。
而十天干又分为阴阳。
甲、丙、戊、庚、壬属于阳；
乙、丁、己、辛、癸属于阴。
按照传统八字的观点，阳日元通常比较主动、直接、坚持和有承担力，因此比较容易表现出领导型的特质；阴日元则通常比较柔和、细腻、灵活，更懂得配合环境和借力发挥。
所以我们会发现，有些人天生就喜欢自己做决定、自己承担责任；有些人则比较喜欢找到一个方向明确的领导者，然后在自己的位置上把事情做好。
当然，这绝对不是“阳一定比阴好”。
一个团队如果全部都是第一把手，也不一定能够运作得好。
有时候，一个好的第二把手、协调者和执行者，同样非常重要。
所以，阴阳真正有趣的地方就在这里：
阳者需要懂得听取意见，阴者则需要找到适合自己的环境。
如果阴日元能够遇到一个值得信任、方向明确的阳性领导者，就好像在沙漠里找到了水源一样，更容易发挥自己的长处。
不过，这只是从日元阴阳所作的基本观察。真正的八字分析，仍然必须看整个命局的五行强弱、生克制化以及组合关系。
那么，十个天干分别有什么性格特点呢？
________________________________________
1. 甲木：像一棵大树 
甲木属于阳木。
如果要了解甲木，最简单的方法就是想象一棵大树。
大树会不断向上生长，寻找阳光。因此，甲木通常给人一种有方向、有原则、有坚持的感觉。
甲木人往往比较有自己的想法。一旦认定了一个方向，就不容易轻易改变。他们通常不喜欢拐弯抹角，有话比较喜欢直接说，因此有时候会给人一种“一根筋”的感觉。
大树可以为别人遮阴挡雨，所以甲木也容易表现出一种领导意识和承担责任的倾向。
甲木的优点是：
有主见、有原则、有责任感，而且不容易随波逐流。
但是，如果甲木太强，也可能变成：
太坚持自己的看法、不容易接受别人的意见，甚至不喜欢别人管自己。
所以，甲木真正需要学习的，并不是放弃自己的原则，而是：
在坚持原则的同时，也要听得进别人的意见。
大树能够长得高，不只是因为它坚硬，也因为它懂得吸收阳光、雨水和土壤的力量。
代表人物
Rosmah Mansor 罗斯玛
出生日期：10 Dec 1951
辛卯 庚子 甲申
（时辰未确定）
Elon Musk 马斯克
出生日期：28 Jun 1971
辛亥 甲午 甲申
（时辰未确定）
李小龙 Bruce Lee
出生日期：27 Nov 1940
庚辰 丁亥 甲戌
（时辰不详）
________________________________________
2. 乙木：柔软，但很有生命力 
如果甲木是一棵大树，那么乙木就是花草、藤蔓和柔软的植物。
乙木不像甲木那样硬直。
藤蔓不会因为前面有一块石头就停止生长，它会绕过去；如果旁边有一棵大树，它甚至可以顺着大树向上攀爬，寻找阳光。
所以，乙木最大的特点之一就是：
懂得变通，懂得适应环境，也懂得寻找机会。
乙木看起来柔软，并不代表没有力量。
相反，藤蔓虽然柔软，却能够慢慢爬到很高的地方。
因此，乙木的力量往往不是来自“硬碰硬”，而是来自：
适应、变通、观察和借力。
乙木通常比较温和，也比较懂得观察环境。他们不一定喜欢正面冲突，而是会寻找另外一条路。
所以，如果甲木是“我自己往前走”，乙木更像是：
“我看看环境，然后找到最适合自己的方法。”
当然，乙木如果太弱，也可能比较依赖环境，抗压能力没有那么强。
因此，乙木最重要的是找到一个适合自己成长的环境。
这也解释了为什么在传统八字的比喻里面：
乙木遇到甲木，就好像藤蔓找到了一棵可以攀附的大树。乙木不喜欢大风大雨极端的天气，而是喜欢在温室里成长，因此他们喜欢被保护，比较温和，也比较怕热。
代表人物
Najib Razak 纳吉
出生日期：23 July 1953
癸巳 己未 乙亥
（时辰不详）
王菲
出生日期：8 Aug 1969
己酉 壬申 乙卯
（时辰不详）
所以，如果从传统八字的角度来看，甲木与乙木虽然同属木，但表现方式可以非常不同。
一个比较像大树，一个比较像藤蔓。
这也让人不禁觉得有趣：
甲木的罗斯玛与乙木的纳吉，一个比较坚持自己的方向，一个比较懂得适应环境。
________________________________________
3. 丙火：像太阳一样热情 
丙火属于阳火。
丙火最容易理解，因为它就像太阳。
太阳不会只照耀一个人，它会把光和热散发出去。
所以，丙火通常比较热情、开朗、大方和有感染力。
这种人在人群中比较容易被注意，也比较容易把自己的热情感染给别人。
他们通常做事比较直接，有行动力，也比较不喜欢太复杂的心机。
因此，丙火的优点是：
热情、有魄力、有感染力，而且比较容易与人建立关系。
但是太阳的光太强，也会变成“太热”。
所以丙火太强的时候，也可能：
太直接、不拘小节，有时候只看到大方向，却忽略了一些细节。
因此，丙火需要学习的是：
保持热情的同时，也不要忘记细节。
代表人物
Steve Jobs 乔布斯
出生日期：24 Feb 1955
乙未 戊寅 丙辰 丁酉
梅艳芳
出生日期：10 Oct 1963
癸卯 壬戌 丙戌
（时辰不详）
________________________________________
4. 丁火：外表温和，内在敏锐 
丁火属于阴火。
如果丙火是太阳，那么丁火就像：
蜡烛、灯火。
太阳的光是向外扩散的，而灯火则是集中在一个范围内。
因此，丁火与丙火虽然同属火，但表现方式很不一样。
丙火比较外放，丁火则比较内敛。
丁火的人往往比较喜欢先观察，再发表意见。
他们未必第一时间把自己的想法说出来，但是内心其实可能已经观察了很多东西。
所以丁火给人的感觉可能比较冷静、安静，甚至有一点神秘。
但实际上，他们的内心可能非常敏锐。
丁阴火是蜡烛灯泡，都是燃烧自己照亮别人，不喜欢像丙阳火太阳这样成为公众人物，他们喜欢幕后默默工作。对不喜欢的事情或者是人都会不理睬，而对喜欢的人或事情就会非常好。外不急而内急，遇到事情表面看起来是很冷静的，但是心里却是很着急的。他们会先观察再发言。
简单来说：
丙火比较像：“我看到什么，我就说什么。”
丁火比较像：“我先观察，再决定我要不要说。”
因此，丁火通常比较懂得察言观色，也比较容易注意到别人没有说出来的东西。
他们也有一种特点：
外表不急，内心却可能很急。
代表人物
马化腾 Pony Ma
出生日期：29 Oct 1971
辛亥 戊戌 丁亥 甲辰
（网上流传盘）
Abdullah Badawi 阿都拉
出生日期：26 Nov 1939
己卯 乙亥 丁卯
（时辰未确定）
________________________________________
5. 戊土：厚重、稳健，但有自己的坚持 
戊土属于阳土。
戊土可以想象成：
大山、大石头。
你把一块大石头放在河里面，水一直冲，它还是在那里。
所以，戊土最大的特点就是：
稳定、坚韧、抗压和坚持。
因此，在传统八字的观察中，戊土比较容易表现出承担责任和领导的特质。
他们一旦认定一件事情，通常不会轻易改变。
这是一种很大的优点，因为做大事需要坚持。
但是，如果戊土太强，就可能变成：
固执、太相信自己的判断、不喜欢别人挑战自己。
所以戊土需要学习的是：
稳定不等于固执，坚持也不代表不能改变。
真正的大山，不只是自己站得稳，也能够承受各种不同的力量。
他们喜欢被称赞，满脑子就是想赚钱，因为戊土也代表就是钱。一般上他们嫉妒心很强，不喜欢被批评，总觉得自己比别人更棒。
代表人物
邓小平 Deng Xiaoping
出生日期：22 Aug 1904
甲辰 壬申 戊子 壬戌／壬子
（时辰有争议）
Mark Zuckerberg 扎克伯格
出生日期：14 May 1984
甲子 己巳 戊申
（时辰未确定）
________________________________________
6. 己土：外柔内细，善于包容与协调 
己土属于阴土。
如果戊土像一座大山，那么己土更像：
湿润的泥土、田园之土。
泥土不像大石头那样坚硬，但泥土里面可以包含很多东西。
它可以有水分，也可以有金属，更可以让树木扎根、生长。
因此，己土最大的特点就是：
包容、协调、统筹和培育。
己土的人通常比较温和，也比较容易与不同类型的人相处。
他们未必喜欢站在最前面发号施令，却很懂得把不同的人、不同的资源组织起来。
因此，己土往往比较适合：
管理、协调、统筹以及担任团队中的第二把手。
如果戊土像大山，是站在前面带领大家的人；
那么己土就像泥土，是在下面承载、培育和协调大家的人。
不过，己土的弱点也在这里。
因为考虑的事情比较多，所以有时候容易想得太多、犹豫不决。
外表看起来很温和，但内心其实可能有很多自己的想法、判断，甚至有猜疑和反叛的一面。
所以，己土最需要学习的是：
包容别人，也要相信自己的判断；考虑周全，但不要因为考虑太多而失去决定的能力。
代表人物
周润发 Chow Yun-fat
出生日期：18 May 1955
乙未 辛巳 己卯
（时辰不详）
________________________________________
7. 庚金：像一把斧头，坚硬而果断 
庚金属于阳金。
如果要用一个东西来形容庚金，我认为最容易理解的就是：
斧头。
斧头可以砍树，所以庚金给人的感觉通常比较直接、果断和有力量。
庚金的人往往比较：
坚韧、抗压、重义气、爱面子，而且不喜欢拐弯抹角。
他们做事情通常比较快，也喜欢亲力亲为。
遇到问题，他们可能第一反应就是：
“不要讲这么多，我来做。”
所以庚金容易有独立作战的能力，也比较喜欢挑战。
但是，太快、太直接，也可能带来问题。
有时候因为行动太快，没有考虑周全，就容易得罪人，或者在无意中欠下人情。
因此，庚金需要学习：
有力量，但不要只靠力量；有魄力，也要懂得考虑后果。
代表人物
乾隆皇帝
出生日期：25 Sep 1711
辛卯 丁酉 庚午 丙子
林冠英
出生日期：8 Dec 1960
庚子 戊子 庚午
（时辰未确定）
柯文哲
出生日期：6 Aug 1959
己亥 辛未 庚申
（时辰有不同版本）
________________________________________
8. 辛金：像珠宝一样，外柔内坚 
辛金属于阴金。
如果庚金是斧头，那么辛金就像：
珠宝、首饰、精炼过的金属。
辛金不像庚金那样锋利、强硬，却拥有自己的精致和坚持。
所以辛金通常给人一种：
非常具有个人人格魅力，外表美丽，上进心强，有耐力，敏锐，
温文儒雅、敏锐、有气质、有审美，同时又有自己的目标。
他们往往比较注意细节，也比较容易观察到别人忽略的地方。有的时候会让人感觉到斤斤计较。
辛金不像庚金那样“大刀阔斧”，但是它有一种持续追求的力量。
因此，辛金的特点可以概括为：
细腻、敏锐、有耐力、有品味，而且目标感强。
不过，与庚金相比，辛金通常少了一点“直接冲出去”的魄力。
所以辛金需要学习的是：
除了把事情做得漂亮，也要敢于在关键时刻作出决定。
代表人物
李嘉欣
出生日期：20 Jun 1970
庚戌 壬午 辛未
（时辰不详）
蔡依林
出生日期：15 Sep 1980
庚申 乙酉 辛卯
（时辰不详）
黄仁勋 Jensen Huang
出生日期：17 Feb 1963
癸卯 甲寅 辛卯
（时辰未确定）
安华 Anwar Ibrahim
出生日期：10 Aug 1947
丁亥 戊申 辛酉
（时辰未确定）
________________________________________
9. 壬水：像大海一样，奔放而善于求变 
壬水属于阳水。
壬水可以想象成：
大海、江河、瀑布。
水一旦流动起来，就很难被完全控制。脑筋转得很快，大胆，求变，不服输，喜欢赚大钱，只相信自己，不喜欢被约束，做事直接，不喜欢拖泥带水，粗枝大叶，快速。
所以壬水的人通常比较喜欢：
变化、挑战、自由和新的机会。
他们的脑筋通常转得比较快，反应快，也比较大胆。
他们不喜欢被别人限制，也比较相信自己的判断。
壬水的优点包括：
聪明、主动、有冲劲、敢于冒险、善于把握机会。
他们通常比较有求知欲，也喜欢研究事情的来龙去脉。
但是，水流得太快，也可能不够细腻。
所以壬水有时候会：
粗枝大叶、太直接、只顾向前冲，而没有注意身边人的感受。
因此，壬水需要学习的是：
保持速度，但不要忘记方向；勇于向前，也要顾及细节。
代表人物
Warren Buffett 巴菲特
出生日期：30 Aug 1930
庚午 甲申 壬子 丁未
Bill Gates 比尔·盖茨
出生日期：28 Oct 1955
乙未 丙戌 壬戌
（时辰有争议）
________________________________________
10. 癸水：像小溪一样，细腻而敏感 
癸水属于阴水。
如果壬水是大海和江河，那么癸水就是：
小溪、雨露和细水。
小溪不会像大海那样直接向前冲，而是会随着地形不断转弯。
因此，癸水的特点通常比较：
细腻、敏感、聪明、观察力强，而且比较有直觉。
他们往往不会马上把自己的真实想法告诉别人。
表面看起来可能很安静，甚至有一点冷淡，但内心其实有很多感受和想法。
癸水也比较容易想得多。
因为小溪会弯弯曲曲地流，所以癸水有时候也容易：
想东想西、过度思考、情绪比较敏感。
他们的聪明是一种优点，但如果想得太多，也可能变成自己的负担。
癸水浪漫，内向，保守，节俭，有洁癖，感情脆弱，小溪弯弯曲曲，因此容易想得太多，喜欢想东想西，有的时候会很直，容易聪明反被聪明误.
癸水个性温柔和谐，心地善良，具灵敏直觉，感性又多愁善感，自我保护力强，不喜权威，热爱助人，喜欢他人对自己多作鼓励, 情绪容易波动，较难承受压力.
所以癸水需要学习的是：
不要只是不断思考，也要把想法真正付诸行动。
代表人物
陈鲁豫
出生日期：12 Jun 1970
庚戌 壬午 癸亥
（时辰不详）
成龙 Jackie Chan
出生日期：7 Apr 1954
甲午 戊辰 癸巳
（时辰不详）
________________________________________
十天干真正有趣的地方
学习十天干，我们不能简单地说：
甲木好、乙木好、丙火好，或者某一个天干不好。
因为每一个天干都有自己的优点，也都有自己的弱点。
甲木有原则，但可能太固执。
乙木懂得变通，但可能过度依赖环境。
丙火热情开朗，但可能不够注意细节。
丁火敏锐谨慎，但可能想得比较多。
戊土稳重坚持，但可能太相信自己的判断。
己土温和包容，但有时容易犹豫不决。
庚金坚韧果断，但可能太过直接。
辛金细腻有耐力，但有时魄力不足。
壬水聪明求变，但可能粗枝大叶。
癸水敏感细腻，但可能容易想太多。
所以，没有一个天干是完美的。
真正重要的是：
你有没有了解自己的优点，并把它发挥出来；同时有没有知道自己的弱点，并尽量避免走进自己的盲点。
________________________________________
八字不是简单的“性格测试”
这也是为什么我一直认为：
八字不是简单的性格测试。
如果只知道一个人的日干，例如知道他是甲木，就马上说：
“你就是固执的人。”
这其实是不完整的。
因为同样是甲木，有的人甲木很强，有的人甲木很弱；有的人得到水来滋养，有的人遇到太多金来克木，表现出来的性格自然会不同。
所以，真正的八字分析，还必须进一步观察：
五行的强弱、阴阳的平衡，以及天干地支之间的生、克、制、化。
日干只是让我们先认识：
“我是什么样的一棵树？”
接下来，我们还要看：
这棵树生长在什么地方？有没有水？有没有阳光？有没有足够的土壤？周围有没有其他树木？有没有金来砍伐？
这样，我们才真正开始进入八字的世界。
认识自己的命，不是为了给自己贴上一个标签，而是为了更了解自己的优势与弱点，知道自己适合怎样的环境，也知道在人生的道路上，应该如何发挥自己的长处，减少不必要的弯路。
这才是学习八字真正有意义的地方。
________________________________________
The Ten Heavenly Stems: What the Five Elements Reveal About Your Personality
In BaZi, the Ten Heavenly Stems are one of the most important foundations.
The Ten Heavenly Stems are:
Jia 甲, Yi 乙, Bing 丙, Ding 丁, Wu 戊, Ji 己, Geng 庚, Xin 辛, Ren 壬 and Gui 癸.
They belong to the Five Elements:
Jia and Yi belong to Wood.
Bing and Ding belong to Fire.
Wu and Ji belong to Earth.
Geng and Xin belong to Metal.
Ren and Gui belong to Water.
In traditional Chinese metaphysics, the Five Elements do not simply represent different aspects of nature. They can also be used to observe a person's personality, way of handling situations, and the way they interact with others.
The ancient Chinese even associated the Five Elements with human virtues:
Wood represents Benevolence.
Fire represents Courtesy.
Earth represents Trustworthiness.
Metal represents Righteousness.
Water represents Wisdom.
Therefore, learning the Ten Heavenly Stems is not simply about learning the Five Elements.
It is about using the characteristics of the Five Elements to gain a deeper understanding of a person's basic personality and behavioural tendencies.
________________________________________
Your Day Stem Represents “You”
In BaZi, the Day Stem represents “Me.”
It is also known as the Day Master or Day Element.
When we analyse someone's BaZi chart, one of the first things we normally look at is the Day Stem.
For example:
Jia Wood Day Master = a Jia Wood person.
Yi Wood Day Master = a Yi Wood person.
Bing Fire Day Master = a Bing Fire person.
The Ten Heavenly Stems are also divided into Yang and Yin.
Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng and Ren are Yang.
Yi, Ding, Ji, Xin and Gui are Yin.
According to traditional BaZi theory, Yang Day Masters tend to be more active, direct, decisive, persistent and willing to take responsibility. Because of these characteristics, they may more easily display leadership qualities.
Yin Day Masters tend to be more flexible, sensitive and adaptable, and may be better at working with their environment and making use of available resources.
This is why we sometimes see people who naturally prefer to make their own decisions and take responsibility themselves, while others are more comfortable finding a strong leader with a clear direction and then contributing their strengths within the team.
But this certainly does not mean that Yang is better than Yin.
A company where everyone wants to be the boss may not function very well!
Sometimes, a good second-in-command, coordinator or team player is just as important as the person standing at the front.
This is what makes Yin and Yang interesting.
Yang needs to learn to listen to others, while Yin needs to find the right environment in which to grow.
If a Yin Day Master meets a trustworthy and decisive Yang leader, it can be like finding a source of water in the desert. The right environment can allow the Yin person's strengths to flourish.
Of course, this is only a basic observation based on the Yin-Yang nature of the Day Master.
A proper BaZi analysis must still consider the strength of the Five Elements, their relationships, and the overall structure of the chart.
So, what are the typical characteristics of the Ten Heavenly Stems?
________________________________________
1. Jia Wood 甲木 — Like a Great Tree
Jia Wood is Yang Wood.
The easiest way to understand Jia Wood is to imagine a large tree.
A tree naturally grows upward towards sunlight. Therefore, Jia Wood is traditionally associated with direction, principles, persistence and determination.
Jia Wood people often have their own ideas. Once they have decided on a direction, they may not change their minds easily.
They usually dislike beating around the bush and prefer to speak directly. This can sometimes make them appear a little “one-track minded.”
A large tree provides shade and shelter for others, so Jia Wood can also represent a strong sense of leadership and responsibility.
The strengths of Jia Wood include:
Having principles, being decisive, taking responsibility and not easily following the crowd.
But when Jia Wood becomes too strong, it can also become:
Too stubborn, unwilling to accept other people's opinions, or unwilling to be controlled by others.
Therefore, what Jia Wood really needs to learn is not to abandon its principles, but to:
Stand by its principles while still being willing to listen to others.
A great tree grows tall not simply because it is strong. It also knows how to absorb sunlight, rainwater and nutrients from the soil.
Examples
Rosmah Mansor 罗斯玛
Born: 10 December 1951
Xin Mao 辛卯
Geng Zi 庚子
Jia Shen 甲申
Birth hour not confirmed.
Elon Musk 马斯克
Born: 28 June 1971
Xin Hai 辛亥
Jia Wu 甲午
Jia Shen 甲申
Birth hour not confirmed.
Bruce Lee 李小龙
Born: 27 November 1940
Geng Chen 庚辰
Ding Hai 丁亥
Jia Xu 甲戌
Birth hour unknown.
________________________________________
2. Yi Wood 乙木 — Soft, Flexible and Full of Life
If Jia Wood is a great tree, then Yi Wood is like flowers, grass and vines.
Yi Wood is not as rigid as Jia Wood.
When a vine encounters a rock, it does not necessarily try to break through it. It can simply grow around it.
And if there is a large tree nearby, the vine can climb up the tree to reach the sunlight.
This is why one of the key characteristics associated with Yi Wood is:
Adaptability, flexibility and the ability to find opportunities.
Yi Wood may look soft, but softness does not mean weakness.
A vine may be flexible, yet over time it can climb remarkably high.
Therefore, the strength of Yi Wood does not necessarily come from fighting head-on.
It comes from:
Adapting, observing, changing direction and knowing how to make use of the environment.
Yi Wood people are traditionally seen as relatively gentle and observant. They may not always want to confront a problem directly. Instead, they may look for another way forward.
So if Jia Wood is:
“I will move forward myself.”
Yi Wood is more like:
“Let me look at the environment and find the best way forward.”
However, if Yi Wood is too weak, it may become overly dependent on its environment and may have difficulty handling pressure.
Therefore, one of the most important things for Yi Wood is to find the right environment in which to grow.
This is also why, in the traditional BaZi metaphor:
When Yi Wood meets Jia Wood, it is like a vine finding a strong tree to climb.
Yi Wood does not particularly enjoy extreme conditions such as strong winds and heavy storms. It prefers a more protected environment in which it can develop gradually.
Examples
Najib Razak 纳吉
Born: 23 July 1953
Gui Si 癸巳
Ji Wei 己未
Yi Hai 乙亥
Birth hour unknown.
Faye Wong 王菲
Born: 8 August 1969
Ji You 己酉
Ren Shen 壬申
Yi Mao 乙卯
Birth hour unknown.
So, from the traditional BaZi perspective, it is interesting that Jia Wood and Yi Wood belong to the same element, yet can express themselves very differently.
One is more like a great tree.
The other is more like a vine.
And this makes an interesting comparison:
Rosmah, as a Jia Wood example, is associated with a more direct and determined nature, while Najib, as a Yi Wood example, represents a more adaptive and flexible form of Wood.
________________________________________
3. Bing Fire 丙火 — Warm and Inspiring Like the Sun
Bing Fire is Yang Fire.
The easiest way to understand Bing Fire is to imagine the Sun.
The Sun does not shine on only one person. It spreads its light and warmth everywhere.
Therefore, Bing Fire is traditionally associated with being:
Warm, open, generous, energetic and influential.
These people may naturally attract attention and can have the ability to inspire or influence others.
They tend to be direct and action-oriented and may not be particularly interested in complicated schemes.
The strengths of Bing Fire include:
Warmth, courage, enthusiasm, charisma and the ability to connect with people.
But when the Sun becomes too hot, it can also become overwhelming.
Therefore, strong Bing Fire may sometimes be:
Too direct, too casual about details, or more focused on the big picture than the small things.
The lesson for Bing Fire is:
Stay enthusiastic, but don't forget the details.
Examples
Steve Jobs 乔布斯
Born: 24 February 1955
Yi Wei 乙未
Wu Yin 戊寅
Bing Chen 丙辰
Ding You 丁酉
Anita Mui 梅艳芳
Born: 10 October 1963
Gui Mao 癸卯
Ren Xu 壬戌
Bing Xu 丙戌
Birth hour unknown.
________________________________________
4. Ding Fire 丁火 — Calm on the Outside, Sensitive Within
Ding Fire is Yin Fire.
If Bing Fire is the Sun, Ding Fire is more like a candle or a lamp.
The Sun spreads its light widely, while a lamp illuminates a more specific area.
Therefore, although Bing Fire and Ding Fire are both Fire, their expressions can be very different.
Bing Fire tends to be more outward.
Ding Fire tends to be more inward.
Ding Fire people often prefer to observe first and speak later.
They may not immediately reveal everything they are thinking, but internally they may already have noticed many things.
This can make Ding Fire appear calm, quiet or even mysterious.
But beneath that calm exterior, there can be considerable sensitivity.
A simple way to put it is:
Bing Fire says, “I see it, so I say it.”
Ding Fire says, “Let me observe first, then decide whether I should say it.”
Ding Fire is therefore traditionally associated with being observant and sensitive to the feelings and reactions of others.
There is also an interesting characteristic:
They may look calm on the outside while feeling anxious on the inside.
Examples
Pony Ma 马化腾
Born: 29 October 1971
Xin Hai 辛亥
Wu Xu 戊戌
Ding Hai 丁亥
Jia Chen 甲辰
(Commonly circulated online chart.)
Abdullah Badawi 阿都拉
Born: 26 November 1939
Ji Mao 己卯
Yi Hai 乙亥
Ding Mao 丁卯
Birth hour not confirmed.
________________________________________
5. Wu Earth 戊土 — Solid, Stable and Determined
Wu Earth is Yang Earth.
Wu Earth can be imagined as a mountain or a great rock.
You can put a large rock in a river and let the water flow around it, but the rock remains where it is.
Therefore, Wu Earth is traditionally associated with:
Stability, endurance, resilience and determination.
Wu Earth people may have a strong sense of responsibility and leadership.
Once they have made up their minds, they generally do not change easily.
This can be a great strength because accomplishing big things often requires persistence.
But when Wu Earth becomes too strong, it can become:
Stubborn, overly confident in its own judgement, and resistant to criticism.
Therefore, Wu Earth needs to learn:
Stability is not the same as stubbornness, and persistence does not mean refusing to change.
A great mountain is not only strong enough to stand on its own. It is also able to withstand many different forces.
Examples
Deng Xiaoping 邓小平
Born: 22 August 1904
Jia Chen 甲辰
Ren Shen 壬申
Wu Zi 戊子
Ren Xu / Ren Zi 壬戌／壬子
Birth hour is disputed.
Mark Zuckerberg 扎克伯格
Born: 14 May 1984
Jia Zi 甲子
Ji Si 己巳
Wu Shen 戊申
Birth hour not confirmed.
________________________________________
6. Ji Earth 己土 — Gentle, Inclusive and Good at Coordination
Ji Earth is Yin Earth.
If Wu Earth is a mountain, Ji Earth is more like moist soil or fertile earth.
A rock is hard and solid, but soil can contain many different things.
It can hold water, minerals and the roots of plants.
Therefore, one of the greatest characteristics of Ji Earth is:
Inclusiveness, coordination, organisation and nurturing.
Ji Earth people are traditionally seen as relatively gentle and able to get along with many different types of people.
They may not always want to stand at the front and give orders. Instead, they are often good at bringing different people and resources together.
Therefore, Ji Earth can be well suited to:
Management, coordination, organisation and the role of a second-in-command.
If Wu Earth is the mountain standing at the front and leading everyone,
Ji Earth is the soil supporting, nurturing and coordinating everyone from underneath.
However, this can also become a weakness.
Because Ji Earth tends to consider many different factors, it may sometimes become:
Too hesitant, overly cautious or indecisive.
They may look gentle on the outside, while having many thoughts and opinions internally.
Therefore, Ji Earth needs to learn:
Be open to others, but also trust your own judgement. Think carefully, but do not let overthinking prevent you from making a decision.
Example
Chow Yun-fat 周润发
Born: 18 May 1955
Yi Wei 乙未
Xin Si 辛巳
Ji Mao 己卯
Birth hour unknown.
________________________________________
7. Geng Metal 庚金 — Strong and Decisive Like an Axe 
Geng Metal is Yang Metal.
The easiest way to imagine Geng Metal is as an axe.
An axe is strong enough to cut through wood, so Geng Metal traditionally represents strength, decisiveness and direct action.
Geng Metal people are often associated with:
Resilience, courage, loyalty, pride and a straightforward nature.
They tend to dislike beating around the bush and may prefer to handle things themselves.
When a problem appears, their attitude may be:
“Enough talking. I'll do it myself.”
This gives Geng Metal a strong independent and action-oriented quality.
But being too fast and direct can also create problems.
Sometimes they may act before thinking through all the consequences, unintentionally offending people or creating unnecessary conflicts.
Therefore, Geng Metal needs to learn:
Strength is valuable, but strength alone is not enough. Courage should be combined with judgement.
Examples
Qianlong Emperor 乾隆皇帝
Born: 25 September 1711
Xin Mao 辛卯
Ding You 丁酉
Geng Wu 庚午
Bing Zi 丙子
Lim Guan Eng 林冠英
Born: 8 December 1960
Geng Zi 庚子
Wu Zi 戊子
Geng Wu 庚午
Birth hour not confirmed.
Ko Wen-je 柯文哲
Born: 6 August 1959
Ji Hai 己亥
Xin Wei 辛未
Geng Shen 庚申
Birth hour has different versions.
________________________________________
8. Xin Metal 辛金 — Refined Like Jewellery
Xin Metal is Yin Metal.
If Geng Metal is an axe, Xin Metal is more like jewellery, precious metal or something carefully refined.
Xin Metal is not as hard and aggressive as Geng Metal, but it has its own refinement and inner determination.
It is traditionally associated with:
Elegance, sensitivity, refinement, ambition, endurance and attention to detail.
Xin Metal people may notice things that others overlook.
They may not use the “cutting through everything” approach of Geng Metal, but they can possess considerable persistence in pursuing their goals.
The strengths of Xin Metal can therefore be described as:
Refinement, sensitivity, endurance, good taste and a clear sense of goals.
Compared with Geng Metal, however, Xin Metal may sometimes lack the same willingness to charge forward and take decisive action.
So Xin Metal needs to learn:
It is not enough to do things beautifully. Sometimes you also need the courage to make the difficult decision.
Examples
Michelle Reis 李嘉欣
Born: 20 June 1970
Geng Xu 庚戌
Ren Wu 壬午
Xin Wei 辛未
Birth hour unknown.
Jolin Tsai 蔡依林
Born: 15 September 1980
Geng Shen 庚申
Yi You 乙酉
Xin Mao 辛卯
Birth hour unknown.
Jensen Huang 黄仁勋
Born: 17 February 1963
Gui Mao 癸卯
Jia Yin 甲寅
Xin Mao 辛卯
Birth hour not confirmed.
Anwar Ibrahim 安华
Born: 10 August 1947
Ding Hai 丁亥
Wu Shen 戊申
Xin You 辛酉
Birth hour not confirmed.
________________________________________
9. Ren Water 壬水 — Like the Ocean, Powerful and Ever-Changing
Ren Water is Yang Water.
Ren Water can be imagined as:
The ocean, great rivers, waterfalls and powerful currents.
Once water starts flowing, it is difficult to control completely.
Therefore, Ren Water is traditionally associated with:
Intelligence, movement, curiosity, change and a desire for freedom.
Ren Water people are often described as quick thinkers, bold, adventurous and willing to embrace change.
They dislike being restricted and tend to trust their own judgement.
Their strengths include:
Intelligence, initiative, courage, adaptability and the ability to seize opportunities.
They are often curious and like to understand how things work.
However, when water moves too quickly, it may not pay enough attention to the details.
Therefore, Ren Water can sometimes become:
Too direct, too fast-moving or too focused on the destination while overlooking the people and details along the way.
The lesson for Ren Water is:
Keep moving, but don't lose your direction. Move quickly, but don't forget the details.
Examples
Warren Buffett 巴菲特
Born: 30 August 1930
Geng Wu 庚午
Jia Shen 甲申
Ren Zi 壬子
Ding Wei 丁未
Bill Gates 比尔·盖茨
Born: 28 October 1955
Yi Wei 乙未
Bing Xu 丙戌
Ren Xu 壬戌
Birth hour is disputed.
________________________________________
10. Gui Water 癸水 — Like a Small Stream, Sensitive and Intuitive
Gui Water is Yin Water.
If Ren Water is the ocean and great rivers, Gui Water is more like:
A small stream, rain or morning dew.
A stream does not necessarily move straight ahead like a great river. It follows the shape of the land and constantly changes direction.
Therefore, Gui Water is traditionally associated with:
Sensitivity, intuition, intelligence, observation and emotional depth.
Gui Water people may not immediately reveal what they are really thinking.
They may appear quiet or even somewhat distant on the outside, while having many thoughts and feelings inside.
Gui Water can also be prone to overthinking.
Just as a stream winds its way through the landscape, Gui Water may sometimes:
Think too much, become emotionally sensitive, or spend too much time considering different possibilities.
Intelligence is a strength, but too much thinking can sometimes become a burden.
Therefore, Gui Water needs to learn:
Don't just keep thinking. At some point, you have to turn your ideas into action.
Examples
Chen Luyu 陈鲁豫
Born: 12 June 1970
Geng Xu 庚戌
Ren Wu 壬午
Gui Hai 癸亥
Birth hour unknown.
Jackie Chan 成龙
Born: 7 April 1954
Jia Wu 甲午
Wu Chen 戊辰
Gui Si 癸巳
Birth hour unknown.
________________________________________
The Real Fascination of the Ten Heavenly Stems
When studying the Ten Heavenly Stems, we should not simply say:
“Jia Wood is good. Yi Wood is good. Bing Fire is good.”
Or say that one particular Heavenly Stem is better than another.
Every Heavenly Stem has its strengths and weaknesses.
Jia Wood has principles, but may become stubborn.
Yi Wood is adaptable, but may become overly dependent on its environment.
Bing Fire is warm and inspiring, but may overlook details.
Ding Fire is observant and sensitive, but may overthink.
Wu Earth is stable and determined, but may become overly confident in its own judgement.
Ji Earth is gentle and inclusive, but may become hesitant.
Geng Metal is strong and decisive, but may be too direct.
Xin Metal is refined and persistent, but may lack decisiveness.
Ren Water is intelligent and adaptable, but may become too fast-moving and overlook details.
Gui Water is sensitive and intuitive, but may think too much.
So, there is no perfect Heavenly Stem.
What really matters is whether you understand your strengths and know how to use them — while also understanding your weaknesses and learning how to avoid unnecessary detours.
________________________________________
BaZi Is More Than a Simple Personality Test
This is why I always say:
BaZi is not simply a personality test.
If you only know that someone is a Jia Wood Day Master and immediately say:
“You are stubborn.”
That is an incomplete analysis.
Two people may both be Jia Wood, but one person's Jia Wood may be strong while another's may be weak.
One may have plenty of Water to nourish the Wood, while another may have strong Metal constantly cutting the Wood.
Naturally, their expressions can be very different.
Therefore, a proper BaZi analysis must look at:
The strength of the Five Elements, the balance of Yin and Yang, and the relationships of Sheng, Ke, Zhi and Hua — growth, control, regulation and transformation — between the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches.
The Day Master simply gives us the first question:
“What kind of tree am I?”
Then we need to ask:
Where is this tree growing?
Does it have enough water?
Does it have sunlight?
Does it have enough soil?
Are there other trees around it?
Is there Metal cutting it?
Only when we look at the whole environment do we begin to understand the deeper world of BaZi.
Ultimately, understanding your BaZi is not about putting a label on yourself.
It is about understanding your strengths and weaknesses, knowing what kind of environment allows you to perform at your best, and learning how to use your strengths while avoiding unnecessary detours in life.
That, to me, is where the real value of learning BaZi lies.
