Ten Gods in BaZi (十神)
Definition
Ten Gods (十神, shíshén) are relationship labels that describe how other Heavenly Stems (天干, tiāngān) relate to the Day Master (日主, rìzhǔ) through Five Elements (五行, wǔxíng) and yin/yang. They name roles such as Wealth, Officer, Resource, Output, and Peer: vocabulary for chart dynamics, not a pantheon of deities.
The ten relationship stars
Fix the Day Master first. Every other stem on the chart is translated by element action (generate, control, peer, output) and whether yin meets yin, yang meets yang, or polarity crosses.
| Name | Chinese | Pinyin | Relation to Day Master | Themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friend | 比肩 | bǐjiān | Same element, same polarity as Day Master | Peers, independence, competition among equals |
| Rob Wealth | 劫财 | jiécái | Same element, opposite polarity | Sharing, rivalry, joint ventures, resource tension |
| Eating God | 食神 | shíshén | Element produced by Day Master, same polarity | Talent, enjoyment, output, gentle expression |
| Hurting Officer | 伤官 | shāngguān | Element produced by Day Master, opposite polarity | Sharp expression, critique, innovation, rebellion |
| Direct Wealth | 正财 | zhèngcái | Element controlled by Day Master, opposite polarity | Steady income, tangible results, responsibility |
| Indirect Wealth | 偏财 | piāncái | Element controlled by Day Master, same polarity | Opportunity wealth, speculation, windfalls, networking money |
| Direct Officer | 正官 | zhèngguān | Element that controls Day Master, opposite polarity | Rank, duty, reputation, structured authority |
| Seven Killings | 七杀 | qīshā | Element that controls Day Master, same polarity | Pressure, drive, risk, unconventional authority |
| Direct Resource | 正印 | zhèngyìn | Element that produces Day Master, opposite polarity | Support, learning, credentials, protection |
| Indirect Resource | 偏印 | piānyìn | Element that produces Day Master, same polarity | Unconventional knowledge, solitude, alternative mentors |
Four families, five pairs
- Peer stars (比劫): Friend and Rob Wealth: same element as the Day Master.
- Output stars (食伤): Eating God and Hurting Officer: what the Day Master generates.
- Wealth stars (财): Direct and Indirect Wealth: what the Day Master controls.
- Officer stars (官杀): Direct Officer and Seven Killings: what controls the Day Master.
- Resource stars (印): Direct and Indirect Resource: what generates the Day Master.
Reading Ten Gods in context
A Wealth star on the Month stem might describe how you meet resources in your career climate; the same star activated in a Luck Pillar might describe a decade with stronger money or asset themes. Always read stars against Five Elements balance and the Month season, not as single-keyword horoscopes.
How learners use Ten Gods
After you identify the Day Master, translate other stems into these roles. That turns raw element talk into themes about output, wealth, authority, and support. Timing layers such as Luck Pillars show when certain stars are emphasized.
The BaZi apps surface Ten Gods timing alongside Daily Qi. This page stays definitional and links back to How to read a BaZi chart.
Related guides
FAQ
Are the Ten Gods literal gods?
No. The name is traditional technical vocabulary for stem relationships relative to the Day Master.
Do I need Ten Gods on day one?
Learn Day Master and elemental balance first. Ten Gods become clearer once you can name what each stem does relative to you.
Why are there ten names if some sound similar?
Each element relationship splits into yin and yang versions relative to the Day Master polarity, producing ten distinct labels (for example Direct Wealth vs Indirect Wealth).
Do Ten Gods apply to branches?
Core Ten God tables focus on stems. Branches enter through their main stem, hidden stems, or branch-based star systems in advanced schools. Beginners usually start with stem Ten Gods on the four pillars.
Can a “bad” Ten God ruin a chart?
Educational BaZi treats stars as themes, not moral scores. Officer pressure can mean structure; Hurting Officer can mean sharp output. Season, balance, and Luck Pillars modify expression.
BaZi is a traditional Chinese metaphysics system shared here for cultural education and self-reflection. It is not medical, legal, or financial advice.
BaZi apps
Get your chart in the app
Learn here. Calculate, forecast Daily Qi, and ask the Oracle in the BaZi apps.
