Part 3: How to Create and Interpret the Yin Chart

In Part 2, we learned the terminology and philosophy. In Part 3, let's master the procedure for creating the most fundamental element of Sanmei-gaku, the "Yin Chart," and interpreting its fatalistic elements.

1. What is a Chart?

• Chart (Meishiki): A blueprint of destiny that converts your date of birth (+ birth time) into the sexagenary cycle calendar, listing the Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, and Hidden Stems.

• Yin Chart vs. Yang Chart:

  • Yin Chart... Arranges the Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, and Hidden Stems to interpret fatalistic qualities.

  • Yang Chart... Places the Ten Major Stars and Twelve Major Subservient Stars on a human body diagram to view personality and fortune cycles.

2. Calculation Procedure for the Yin Chart

1. Convert date of birth to the sexagenary cycle

   • Look up the sexagenary cycle (Ten Stems and Twelve Branches) for the year, month, and day using a perpetual calendar or an online quick-reference table.

2. Organize the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches

   • Year Pillar: Heavenly Stem "Kanoe" / Earthly Branch "Uma"

   • Month Pillar: Heavenly Stem "Otsu" / Earthly Branch "Mi"

   • Day Pillar: Heavenly Stem "Ko" / Earthly Branch "Inu"

   • Time Pillar*: Heavenly Stem "Hei" / Earthly Branch "Tora"

* If the birth time is unknown, you may omit the "Time Pillar" and use three pillars instead.

1. Add the hidden stems

   • Write in the "hidden stems" contained within the earthly branches according to the definitions for each of the twelve zodiac signs

2. Find the Tenchu-satsu

   • Determine the stem-branch pair for the "void period" when luck escapes for that person, based on the combination of the day pillar, year pillar, etc.

3. How to read the Five Elements balance and Tenchu-satsu

• Check the Five Elements balance

  • Confirm the distribution of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water appearing in the heavenly stems and hidden stems

  • If there is an imbalance, it will manifest as "strengths and weaknesses" in personality and physical constitution

• Tenchusatsu (Void Period)

  • Combinations of stems and branches that are blank in the chart

  • Example: Years and months of 'Shen-You Tenchusatsu' are considered to require significant changes or caution

  • How to cope: Rethink plans or use it as a preparation period

4. Practical points for beginners

1. Focus on the Day Pillar (the person's essence)

   • In the Yin chart, the Day Stem is the most important. Just knowing your essential element (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) can lead to a major self-discovery.

2. Creating a chart with three pillars is also okay

   • If you do not know your birth time, omit the Hour Pillar and read with three pillars. You will get enough information for practical use.

3. Practice exercise

   • Create a chart using the birth dates of yourself and people close to you (family, friends) and compare their Five Elements balance and Tenchusatsu.

4. Using Tools

   • Quickly generate it using free automatic chart calculation websites or smartphone apps, then reproduce it by hand on paper or in a notebook to deepen your understanding.

Conclusion & Next Episode Preview

In this session, we introduced the steps for creating and interpreting the Yin chart. In the next session (Part 4), we will show you how to create the "Yang Chart / Human Body Star Map" based on the information obtained from the Yin chart, and how to specifically interpret personality and fortune cycles. Please make sure to create your Yin chart and have it ready!

Click here for the site map (list of articles)👇