Children Star in the Chart
Who and how many children will there be?

One of the most emotionally significant questions in BaZi is the question regarding children. Will I have children? How many? What will they be like? Will they be healthy and successful? What kind of relationship will we have? These are questions almost all clients ask, and a skilled BaZi master should be able to read the answers from the chart.

In the BaZi tradition, the topic of children is examined from two different yet complementary angles: through Children Palace (hour pillar of the chart) and through Children Stars (Er Nv Xing) (determined from the Ten Gods and playing the role of "Child Star" depending on the parent's gender).

In this article, we will examine both perspectives, explore the differences between male and female BaZi charts regarding this matter, discuss signs of infertility, and explain how to interpret relationships with children. This is in-depth material based on the canon of Master Joey Yap's and Ziping's BaZi school.

1 Hour pillar = palace of children

In the classical Four Pillars BaZi system (Year Pillar, Month Pillar, Day Pillar, Hour Pillar), each pillar symbolizes not only a period of life but also a specific sphere:

• Year — ancestors, lineage, early youth (before age 16), family karma.
• Month Parents, career, middle period (ages 16–32).
• Day — personality, spouse/partner, mature period (ages 32–48).
• Hour — Children, later years (ages 48–80+), legacy.

The Hour Pillar is the "Palace of Children."Here we see how relationships with children will unfold, their nature, and whether they will assist us in our old age. This also serves as an indicator of our own life in mature and advanced years.

The quality of the Hour Pillar is evaluated based on several criteria:

• Useful Elements in the Pillar. If the elements of the hour pillar are your Useful God (yòng shén), then children will bring you benefit and will themselves be highly realized individuals.
• Unfavorable Elements (Wù shì). If the hour pillar is dominated by Ji Shen (Unfavorable Gods), relationships with children may be strained, or the children themselves may suffer.
• Conflicts with other pillars. If the hour pillar clashes (Chōng 冲) or harms (Hài 害) other pillars, this is a signal of problems.
• Harmonious Combinations (He). If the Hour harmoniously combines (合 hé) with the Day or Month, children will be close to their parents.

2 Hourly Branch: Character of the First Child

In the classical tradition Hourly Branch (The Earthly Branch of the Hour Pillar) symbolizes character and nature. first childThis is particularly important because the first child often sets the "tone" for the entire family dynamic of children.

Each of the 12 Earthly Branches provides a characteristic portrait of the child:

This portrait is merely a general guideline. A more precise picture of the child's character emerges when you know their own BaZi chart. However, the parent's Hour Branch provides an surprisingly accurate "first intuition" about the child.

3 Shang Guan (shāng guān — Output Star) Shang Guan (shāng guān — "wounding officer") for women = son

In the traditional BaZi system, there is a division: The Child Star (Er Nv/Er Nan — Second Daughter/Second Son) differs between male and female BaZi charts.This is one of the key features that beginners often overlook.

For women Children's stars represent the "Output" (the element produced by the Day Master). This aligns logically with Chinese philosophy: a woman "gives birth" to a child, meaning she produces them from herself. Within the Ten Gods system, there are two forms of "Output":

• Shang Guan (shāng guān — Output Star) — "Wounding Officer," an output of opposite polarity. For a woman with a Yang Day Master, this is a Yin output; for a woman with a Yin Day Master, this is a Yang output.
• Shi Shen (shí shén — Output Star) (Eating God)) — "Food God", the emergence of the same polarity.

In classical interpretation:

• Shan Guan (shan guan — Mountain Guardian) for a woman indicates a son. (the child's gender opposite to that of the mother).
• When the Day Master is female, the Seven Killings (Qī Shā — qī shā) represent her daughter. (same gender).

If a woman's BaZi chart contains a strong Shang Guan (shàng guān — Output Star), especially on the Heavenly Stems and not hidden within the Earthly Branches, this is a powerful signal indicating she will have a son who is often talented, bright, and outstanding. As the "Star of Talent," sons born to such women frequently achieve success in creative fields, sports, or business.

However, Shang Guan also has a dark side—it "injures the Officer," meaning it clashes with the element of Authority (the male symbol for women). Therefore, women with an extremely strong Shang Guan may experience complex relationships with their husbands, but they often have many children who are talented.

4 For women, Shi Shen (shí shén — Output Star) represents their daughter.

Shi Shen (shí shén — "Food God") represents a softer form of expression. For a woman, this star symbolizes... daughteras well as creativity, care, gastronomy, and pleasures.

Qualities of Shi Shen (石神 — Stone God):

• Softness and tranquility. Unlike the sharp Shang Guan, Shi Shen represents "sweetness and abundance."
• Creative expression without aggression. This is "art for art's sake," not "art as protest."
• Connection with food, hospitality, and care.
• Long life and good health. Shi Shen is one of the "healthiest" stars in BaZi.

For a woman with a strong Resource Star (印星 yìn xīng — Resource Star), her daughter is typically... The child is emotionally connected to the mother., often possessing creative or humanitarian talents, and loving home and family.

When in a woman's BaZi chart both the Companion stars (比劫 bǐ jié) and Output stars (食伤 shí shāng) are strong, such a woman often... Several children of different genders., and it is in good relations with all of them. This is a favorable signal.

5 Qi Sha (Qī Shā — Seven Killings) (qi sha — "Seven Killings") For men = son

For men Children's stars refer to the "Control" element—the element that controls the Day Master. The logic is reversed: a man "begins" a child by transmitting to him "dominance," that is, his own controlling element.

In the Ten Gods system, there are two forms of control:

• Qi Sha (qī shā — Seven Killings) — "Seven Killings," controlling the same polarity (Yang Day Master + Yang control = Qi Sha).
• Zheng Guan (zhèng guān — Righteous Officer) (zhèng guān — "Direct Officer")) "Correct Officer," controlling the opposite polarity.

In classical interpretation:

• Qi Sha (qī shā — Seven Killings) for a male represents his son. (same polarity, transmission of "strength").
• Zheng Guan (zhèng guān — Direct Officer) for a male indicates a daughter.

Qi Sha (qī shā — Seven Killings) is a "hard" force, military, commanding, and authoritarian. A man with a strong Qi Sha often has... Willful and strong-willed in character, a leader, sometimes in conflict with the father.This is the "Little General," who begins to assert independence at an early age.

If Qi Sha (qī shā — Seven Killings) is purely a Useful God (yòng shén — Useful God) in the chart, relationships with the son are strong, and he becomes his father's support in old age. If Qi Sha is an Unfavorable God (jì shén — Unfavorable God) in the chart, relationships are tense, marked by conflicts, and sometimes long periods of estrangement.

6 Zheng Guan (zhèng guān — Proper Officer) for men represents a daughter.

Zheng Guan (zhèng guān — "Righteous Officer") is a noble, orderly form of control. For a man, this star symbolizes... daughteras well as career achievements, government service, and reputation.

Qualities of Zheng Guan:

• Balance and Nobility.
• Respect for traditions and hierarchy.
• Career success on the "correct" paths.
• Good reputation.

For a man with a strong Zheng Guan (zhèng guān — Direct Officer), his daughter is typically... Obedient, noble, and educated girl., valuing family and reputation. Often she becomes a close support for her father, and the "father-daughter" relationship is especially warm.

The combination of strong Qi Sha (qī shā — Seven Killings) and Zheng Guan (zhèng guān — Proper Officer) in a male BaZi chart is... a multitude of children of both sexesSuch a chart is often found among patriarchs of large families.

7 How many children will there be — determined by the strength of the star.

One of the most frequent questions from clients is, "How many children will I have?" In classical BaZi, the answer is read through... The strength and quality of the Children Stars in the chart..

Main criteria:

1. Number of Children Stars

• If the chart contains only one Output star (one 伤官 shāng guān for a woman, or one 正官 zhèng guān for a man)—usually it indicates one child.
• Two stars, two children.
• Three or more indicates a large family and having many children.

2. Strength of the Day Master (rì zhǔ — Day Master)

• A strong Day Master can "withstand" more children, having sufficient energy for several.
• A weak Day Master with an abundance of Output stars presents a paradox: children exist, yet they "drain" the parent. Often, there is only one or two children.

3. State of the Hour Branches

• If the hour branch contains multiple hidden stems of the children stars, this is a signal of having many children or a complex family structure.
• If the Hour Branch is destroyed (Chong, Xin, Hai), there may be problems with children: infertility, losses, or illnesses.

4. The Fertility Period of the Luck Pillar (Da Yun)

• If during the fertility periods (ages 20–40) pillars featuring Children Stars appear, these are "open" periods for childbirth.
• If the pillars block the Children Stars, the fertile period may pass without children.

8 When born — Da Yun and Triggers

Not less important is the question— When do children get born?In BaZi, this is read through the combination of Da Yun (dà yùn — 10-year luck pillars) and annual pillars (liú nián — liú nián). (liú nián — "current year")).

Key triggers for conception and birth:

• The year activating the Children Star. If a woman's BaZi chart features Shan Guan as Fire, then Fire years (especially Bing and Ding on the Heavenly Stem) activate the chance of pregnancy.
• A year that harmoniously clashes with the Hour Branch. The combination (He) of the Hour Branch with the Year Branch "opens the palace of children."
• Da Yun (dà yùn — Luck Pillar), bringing the stars of children. If a pillar with the Companion Star (bǐ jié) arrives for a woman between ages 25 and 35, this is a typical period of active fertility.
• The year activating the Peach Blossom Star (Táo Huā). Without a partner, there is no child. Often the Marriage Star arrives first, followed by the Child Star.

For a specific prediction of childbirth, an individual analysis of the BaZi chart is required — this is one of the most complex and subtle tasks in BaZi practice. An experienced BaZi Master can predict favorable periods with accuracy down to the year.

9 Infertility in the BaZi chart — signs and indicators In BaZi (Four Pillars), infertility is often analyzed by examining the interaction between the Day Master (日主/日元) and the stars representing children, as well as the overall balance of the Five Elements. The primary indicator for children is the Output star (食伤), which represents creativity and offspring. However, this must be viewed in conjunction with the Officer star (官星), which represents authority and stability, as their relationship determines the potential for conception. Key signs of infertility in a BaZi chart include: 1. **Weak or Damaged Output Star**: If the Output star is extremely weak, absent, or heavily damaged by the Unfavorable God (忌神) or clashed (冲), it may indicate difficulties in conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term. 2. **Conflict between Output and Officer**: A strong clash (冲) or punishment (刑) between the Output star and the Officer star can disrupt the reproductive cycle. For example, if the Day Master is Yin Wood and the Officer is Fire, a Water element damaging the Fire could hinder conception. 3. **Imbalance of Yin and Yang**: Infertility may also stem from an imbalance in the Yin-Yang energy within the chart. An excess of Yin without sufficient Yang, or vice versa, can affect hormonal balance and fertility. 4. **Weak Day Master**: If the Day Master is too weak to support the Output star, it may indicate a lack of vitality necessary for reproduction. 5. **Presence of Harmful Elements**: The presence of harmful elements (害) or destructive interactions (破) involving the stars related to children can also be indicative of fertility issues. It is important to note that BaZi analysis is complex and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner who considers the entire chart, including the Luck Pillar (大运) and Annual Pillar (流年), for a comprehensive understanding. Additionally, modern medical advice should always be sought alongside metaphysical insights for addressing infertility.

A complex and emotionally heavy topic — the signs. possible infertility In the BaZi chart. It is important to note immediately: The chart reveals tendencies, not a verdict.Modern medicine can help in many cases, and even with a "difficult" BaZi chart, children are often born.

Nevertheless, the classics highlight several patterns that deserve attention:

Risk Patterns

1. Complete absence of the Output stars in the BaZi chart. Having neither Shang Guan/Shi Shen on the Heavenly Stems or in the Hidden Stems for a female, nor Qi Sha/Zheng Guan for a male, is a rarity and a serious signal.
2. The Children Star is present but "killed." For example, a woman has Shang Guan (Fire), but it is surrounded by an excess of Water and is "extinguished" by it. There is no effectively functioning Shang Guan.
3. Hour Pillar in Clash (Chong) with other pillars. Especially when there is a clash between the Hour and Month pillars, it signifies "the destruction of the Children Palace."
4. The element is too strong and clashes with the Output star. For a woman with a strong Resource Star (Yin, representing the mother), the mother "consumes" the Output stars (children).
5. The Cong Ge chart without the support of Output stars (shí shāng — Output stars). Special formats may "exclude" children from one's life.
6. The Climatic Balance (Tiáo Hòu) is completely disrupted. A frozen or burned chart without compensation is often associated with fertility issues.

What to do?

• Activate the Canopy Star (华盖 huá gài). Through the environment: colors, directions, and activities corresponding to the relevant element.
• Wait for a favorable Luck Pillar (Da Yun). Sometimes you simply need to wait for the correct 10-year Luck Pillar cycle.
• Adoption In the BaZi tradition, it is also considered a realization of children's karma and may "open the palace."
• Modern medicine. The chart reveals trends, but medical intervention often alters the situation.
• Conception Date. Choosing a favorable day for conception is a classic practice in BaZi date selection.

10 Relationships with Children — Combination and Clash of the Hour Pillar

Beyond the question of "will there be children," it is also important to understand... What kind of relationships will develop with them?This is interpreted through the interaction of the Hour Pillar with other pillars on the chart.

Harmonious Combinations (Hé 合)

If the Hour Branch forms a harmonious combination with another branch of the chart:

• Time + Day — close relationships with children, especially when living together.
• Hour + Month Children are linked to the parent's career and assist in their affairs.
• Hour + Year Children uphold family traditions and are close to their grandparents.

The merging of the Hour Stem with other Stems is also a favorable sign, indicating an emotional connection.

Clashes (Chōng 沖)

If the Hour Branch clashes with another branch of the chart:

• Time vs Day Conflict between the spouse and children, with the parent caught "between two fires."
• Hour vs Month Children move far away (to another city or country) and are rarely seen.
• Hour vs Year This reflects a generational conflict where children do not accept family values. In BaZi terms, this often indicates an imbalance between the Day Master and its Useful God (用神 yòng shén — Useful God), or a clash (冲 chōng — Clash) between the Heavenly Stems (天干 tiān gān — Heavenly Stems) representing parents and children within the Four Pillars (四柱 sì zhù — Four Pillars).

A Clash (Chōng) in the Annual Pillar or Luck Pillar indicates a period of intensified relationships with children, often marking a turning point.

Punishments (Xíng 刑 — Punishment) and Harms (Hài 害 — Harm)

More subtle and complex interactions:

• Please provide the BaZi text you would like me to translate from Russian to English. I am ready to apply all formatting rules, including preserving Chinese characters exactly as-is and converting any Cyrillic pinyin to standard Latin pinyin with meanings in parentheses. — mutual "punishment" (刑 xíng), conflict of interests, emotional wounds.
• Hello! How can I assist you with your BaZi translation needs today? — "Harm" ( hài ), hidden aversion, misunderstanding.

These interactions do not completely destroy the relationships but create a constant background of tension that manifests during difficult periods.

In conclusion: reading the children's theme in BaZi is a profound, subtle, and emotionally charged area. A skilled BaZi master approaches it with respect and caution. The chart may offer many insights—but it can never replace your freedom of choice, the aid of modern medicine, or your own readiness to be a parent.

If children are important to you, order a Full Chart Analysis. We will meticulously analyze your Hour Pillar, Children Stars, favorable years for childbirth, and relationship trends with offspring according to the Joey Yap school canon.