空亡 Kong Wang — The Void
The star of absence, loss and the spiritual quest

In classical BaZi there are stars written about beautifully — the "Red Phoenix," the "Supreme Ultimate," the "State Seal." And there is one whose very name sounds alarming: Kong Wang 空亡 (kōng wáng — "Void/Emptiness"). Translated literally — "Empty Loss," "Absent Nothingness," "The Non-existent." The character 空 (kōng) means "void," and 亡 (wáng) means "vanishing, perishing, loss." Together — "void non-being."

Many books and popular bloggers frighten people: "you have Kong Wang — it means everything will collapse, relatives will die, money will leave!" In reality, Kong Wang is a far subtler and more philosophical star than its surface name. In the hands of a master it is a tool for the deep understanding of destiny. In the hands of an alarmist — a pretext to scare the client and sell a "protective amulet."

Let us figure out what this star really means in the canon of the Ziping (Zi Ping) school, how to calculate it correctly, and how to work with it without fear and without illusions.

1 What Kong Wang is — the concept of "the void"

The concept of Kong Wang goes back to the most ancient system of "the sixty Jia-zi" (六十甲子) — the sexagenary cycle that underlies all of Chinese metaphysics. The 60 combinations of heavenly stems and earthly branches are divided into six decades of 10 pairs each. And in each decade there is a special phenomenon: the 10 stems "cover" only 10 branches, while the twelve branches need exactly 12 partners. It turns out that 2 branches in each decade remain "without stems" — without partners. These are the empty branches, Kong Wang.

Metaphysically this means: in these positions there is no "roof," no heavenly support, the stem does not cover the root. The energy, as it were, "leaks away into the void," finding no completion.

In the classic 淵海子平 ("Yuan Hai Zi Ping") — the foundational treatise of the Ziping school — Kong Wang is described thus: "Kong Wang is the place where the heavenly stem does not reach the earthly branch. In this place actions yield no result, accumulations do not stay, events happen and melt away like a dream."

In the Buddhist interpretation actively used in Taiwan and Hong Kong, Kong Wang is linked to the concept of "shunyata" (空, emptiness) — a fundamental concept of Zen Buddhism. Bearers of a strong Kong Wang often become monks, philosophers, spiritual teachers precisely because the material world "does not stick" to them.

2 How to calculate Kong Wang — the table of decades

Unlike most noble stars, Kong Wang is calculated not from the Year Branch but from the Day Pillar — that is, from the pair "heavenly stem + earthly branch of the day of birth." This makes Kong Wang an individual star, closely tied to the Day Master itself.

All 60 Jia-zi pairs are divided into 6 decades. Each decade begins with Jia (甲) and ends after 10 pairs. In each decade two branches remain "empty."

The algorithm for determining your Kong Wang:

1. Find your Day Pillar (for example, 丙午 — Bing-Wu).
2. Determine which of the six decades it belongs to. Bing-Wu belongs to the Jia-Chen decade (the third decade down, starting from 甲申, because Bing-Wu is the seventh pair in that decade... or more simply: scan row by row until you find your Day Pillar).
3. Take the empty branches for that decade. For Bing-Wu these will be Chen (辰) and Si (巳).
4. Now check whether these branches appear in the other pillars of your chart — in the Year, Month or Hour. If they do — Kong Wang is active.

Example: a person was born with the Day Pillar 丙午 (Bing-Wu). Their Kong Wang is the branches 辰 (Chen) and 巳 (Si). If in their chart, say, the Hour Branch is 辰 — then their hour of birth falls into Kong Wang. This means that the sphere of the hour (later life, children, creativity) is marked with "the void."

3 Kong Wang in the different pillars of the chart

The effect of Kong Wang varies greatly depending on which pillar it appears in. Each pillar governs its own sphere of life and its own age period.

Kong Wang in the Year Pillar

The year is the pillar of parents, ancestors, the early years of life. Kong Wang here often means that:

• Relations with parents (especially with the father) are problematic, distant, formal.
• Early childhood was "emotionally empty" — a lack of warmth, support, recognition.
• Family resources (inheritance, the parents' connections) do not work for the person.
• A feeling of "lost roots," "no home," emigration or estrangement from the parents.

This is not a sentence but a pointer: work on the emotional roots, do not wait for help from the past, build your own "home" from scratch.

Kong Wang in the Month Pillar

The month is the pillar of career, environment, social status. Kong Wang here means:

• The career develops "by indirect paths," professions change often.
• Social status is not fixed — now a rise, now a fall, no stable position.
• Efforts at work yield no visible result for a long time, "as if into the void."
• Such people often work in atypical fields — art, spiritual practices, freelance, remote work.
• Their circle consists of varied, unconnected people; there is no "tribe of their own" in the usual sense.

The paradox: people with Kong Wang in the month often succeed precisely in creative and spiritual professions, where "the void" is a resource, not an obstacle.

Kong Wang in the Day Branch — a special case

Technically the Day Branch cannot fall into the Kong Wang of its own Day Pillar (it is determined relative to itself). But in rare cases, when we analyse the Day Branch from the standpoint of the Year Pillar (some masters do this), Kong Wang in the day can mean:

• Emotional detachment from the spouse, a "marriage without a soul."
• Inner emptiness, depressive tendencies.
• A deep inclination toward the spiritual quest, meditation, philosophy.

Kong Wang in the Hour Pillar — the most important position

Most masters of the Joey Yap school hold that Kong Wang in the hour pillar is the most significant and dangerous configuration. The hour governs:

• Children and the continuation of the line — the void here often means childlessness or difficult relations with children.
• The late stage of life (after 50) — it can mean loneliness in old age, the loss of accumulations.
• Creative legacy — "will leave no trace" in the material sense.
• The soul and spiritual fulfilment — on the contrary, "the ideal position" for a spiritual teacher.

Here the duality of Kong Wang is visible: what is bad for the material world is wonderful for the spiritual.

4 The light side — what Kong Wang gives its bearer

A good BaZi master will never tell you "you have Kong Wang — that's bad." They will say: "you have Kong Wang — let us see how to use it correctly."

The capacity for radical transformation. Since Kong Wang "zeroes out" the past, bearers of this star can "be reborn" many times over the course of a life — change profession at 40, begin a new life at 50, move to another country at 60. For ordinary people such turns are impossible — they are "tied" to the past. For Kong Wang it is a natural state.

Immunity to social pressure. Bearers of Kong Wang feel "social expectations" poorly. It does not matter to them "what people will say," "what is customary," "what is expected." This gives enormous freedom in making non-standard decisions.

Deep compassion. An understanding of the illusory nature of the material world makes such people less greedy, less selfish, more inclined to help others. Many great philanthropists and social workers have an active Kong Wang.

5 The dark side — the real dangers

The dark side of Kong Wang cannot be ignored either. It is a real factor that, without a conscious approach, can destroy a life.

The impossibility of accumulating the material

The main practical problem of Kong Wang is "the leakage of resources". Money comes and goes. Career achievements do not add up into cumulative success. Each time one has to start almost from scratch.

This is especially painful if Kong Wang stands in the month pillar, which governs wealth through work. A person can earn large sums, but in 5-10 years nothing will be left of them.

Emotional emptiness and depression

Bearers of a strong Kong Wang often suffer from existential emptiness. "What is it all for?" — the tormenting question of their life. Without proper spiritual practice or creative fulfilment, this can slide into depression, apathy, addictions.

Difficulties in relationships

The emotional "non-attachment" of Kong Wang is wonderful for spiritual practice but agonising for those close. Partners and children of such a person often feel that they are "not here," "not engaged," "indifferent." Marriages break up precisely because of this.

Losses in the years of activation

When a Kong Wang branch is activated in the Da Yun or Liu Nian (especially if it is also in a Chong clash with the Day Master), this is often a year of serious losses — financial, of relationships, of health, of status.

The impossibility of "settling down"

Kong Wang often manifests as the impossibility of "settling" — a constant change of cities, professions, relationships. For some this is the blessing of freedom, for others — an agonising inability to build something solid.

6 Combinations of Kong Wang with other stars

Kong Wang rarely works in isolation. Its effect depends heavily on the other stars and combinations in the chart.

Kong Wang + Tian Yi Gui Ren

When "the void" combines with the chief noble star Tian Yi — the void is filled with spiritual meaning. This is the classic combination of true spiritual teachers: the void creates a "container," and Tian Yi brings wisdom from above into it. Many meditation teachers, high-level monks have this combination.

Kong Wang + Hua Gai

Hua Gai is the "hermit star," a pull toward solitude and spiritual seclusion. Combined with Kong Wang it gives the classic pattern of the monk or mystic. Bearers of such a combination often leave worldly life for spiritual practices, art, philosophy. In ordinary secular life they look "strange," but in their niche — geniuses.

Kong Wang + Tao Hua

A paradoxical combination: the "peach blossom" of seduction meets the "void" of detachment. This often manifests as a succession of passionate but short-lived romances — the person attracts others but does not become attached themselves, and the relationships "melt away" within a few months.

Kong Wang + Wang Shen

A dangerous combination. Wang Shen is the "star of death/loss," Kong Wang is "the void." Together they intensify the theme of losses, partings, disappointments. It requires conscious spiritual work for transformation.

Kong Wang in the wealth pillar

When Kong Wang "devours" the wealth pillar (Cai Xing) — this is the classic pattern of the "forever poor genius". Talented, clever, capable people who never grow rich. Money does not interest them, and fate responds accordingly.

7 The activation of Kong Wang in Da Yun

When a branch that is your Kong Wang arrives in the Da Yun (the great cycle of luck) or in the annual pillar (Liu Nian) — the star "ignites" in those years. What does this mean?

Possible events in the years of activation:

• Financial losses or sharp restructurings — especially if during this period you are investing large funds in long-term projects.
• Separation, divorce, the breakup of a partnership — Kong Wang "empties out" the sphere of relationships.
• The loss of loved ones — illness or the passing of parents, older relatives. Especially if the activation of Kong Wang falls on the years of elderly family members.
• An identity crisis — "why am I doing this?", "who am I?", "where am I going?" — existential questions become central.
• The opening of a spiritual path — the beginning of meditation, yoga, philosophical searching, a turn toward religion.
• A creative breakthrough — for artists, writers, musicians this is often a period of great works.
• Emigration, a radical change of place of residence — a literal "emptying out" of the former life.

How to pass through the activation of Kong Wang

1. Do not invest large resources in material projects during this period — the risk of losses is great.
2. Go deeper into spiritual/creative practices — this is the "correct" channel for the energy of Kong Wang.
3. Be attentive to your loved ones — if there are worrying signs in the health of your parents, do not postpone your care.
4. Accept losses consciously — let what must go, go. Resistance triples the suffering.
5. Use the period for "cleansing" — throw out the excess, give up unnecessary obligations, zero out the old.

8 Professions and industries for people with an active Kong Wang

Bearers of an active Kong Wang are especially brilliantly fulfilled in fields where "the void" is a resource, not an obstacle.

Spiritual practices and religion

Teachers of meditation, yoga, qigong. Priests, monks, spiritual mentors. Kong Wang gives a natural understanding of the idea of "renouncing attachments" and the ability to lead others along this path.

Philosophy and the theoretical sciences

Philosophers, theoretical physicists, mathematicians engaged in "pure" theory without applied use. Kong Wang is the "empty space of the mind," necessary for abstract thinking.

The fine arts

Abstract painters, poets, experimental musicians, auteur filmmakers. Those whose art is "not for the market" but for art's sake. Kong Wang works ideally here — emptiness is needed for novelty to be born.

Psychotherapy and the helping professions

Especially — existential psychotherapists, specialists in working with grief, crisis psychologists. Kong Wang gives the ability to be present alongside another person's void without being frightened by it.

Archaeology, history, the antiques trade

Working with "the past," with "the departed" — the literal sphere of Kong Wang. Archaeologists, restorers, museum workers often have this star active.

Hospices, palliative care, funeral services

Working with death and the dying — deep in the element of Kong Wang. This is a hard field, but it is precisely people with Kong Wang who are able not to burn out in it, because they see the boundary of life and death differently.

What to avoid

• The banking sector, investing, trading — Kong Wang "devours" accumulations.
• Retail trade, small business — there is no "ground" underfoot.
• Politics at the state level — Kong Wang holds power poorly.
• A family business with a long dynastic line — Kong Wang "breaks off" lines.

9 Famous bearers (abstract patterns)

Although without a full date of birth one cannot assert that a specific person has an active Kong Wang, one can describe the patterns under which this star is likely.

Great spiritual teachers. Personalities whose lives were defined not by "achievements" but by "renunciation of the world" and spiritual revelation very often have a strong Kong Wang. The Buddha, Lao Tzu, many saints of different traditions — this is the archetype of Kong Wang.

Avant-garde artists. Creators whose works were ahead of their time and misunderstood by their contemporaries often have Kong Wang in the Month or Hour. Their art "did not fit" into the material world of the age.

"Suicide poets." A tragic pattern — brilliant creators with deep existential pain who could not cope with the void and took their own lives. This is an example of how a strong Kong Wang without a spiritual anchor destroys its bearer.

"Accidental millionaires" who lost everything. People on whom wealth suddenly fell (inheritance, the lottery, early business success), and who lost it all just as quickly. Kong Wang "does not hold" the material.

Great theoretical scientists. Those who discovered the fundamental laws of nature without aiming for practical application — Einstein, Kant, many mathematicians — often have a strong Kong Wang in the Month Pillar.

Long-lived hermits. Paradoxically, among very elderly people living well past 100 in simplicity and solitude, an active Kong Wang is not uncommon. A "lightness" in one's relation to the world brings longevity.

10 Practical application — how to work with Kong Wang

Knowledge of Kong Wang should be turned into concrete life decisions. Here is a step-by-step plan.

Step 1. Determine where your Kong Wang is

Using the table of decades from section 2, find your empty branches. Check all four pillars of the chart, as well as the current Da Yun and year.

Step 2. Determine the strength of the activation

• If you have Kong Wang in the natal chart + in the current Da Yun — the star works powerfully and constantly.
• If only in the natal — a background programme, activated in the years when the corresponding branch arrives.
• If only in the Da Yun — a temporary "band" of 10 years; it is important to use it consciously.

Step 3. Choose a strategy of work

Strategy A — Spiritual integration. Acknowledge that material success is not your main axis. Develop spiritual, creative, philosophical practices. Find a profession where "the void" is a resource.

Strategy B — Compensation. If you want material success, consciously compensate for Kong Wang: create "two layers of protection" for money (savings + insurance), build reliable partners around you, have a "plan B" in everything.

Strategy C — Using "the void" as an advantage. In negotiations, in strategy, in difficult situations you can "disappear" — not respond to provocations, not fall for manipulations, remain at "the zero point." This is a powerful weapon.

Step 4. Manage the years of activation

Knowing when your Kong Wang will be activated in the future, prepare in advance:

• Do not plan major financial risks for these years.
• Do not enter into a marriage or partnership based solely on material calculation.
• Go deeper into spiritual/creative practice before the activation.
• Be ready to let go of what must go.

Step 5. Work with the emotional side

Kong Wang is not only external events but also inner states. A regular practice of meditation, mindfulness, psychotherapy helps to transform "the void" from a source of suffering into a source of strength. This is not a "fix" for the problem — it is a new relationship with the world.

Kong Wang and compatibility

In the compatibility analysis of two charts, Kong Wang plays an important role:

• If one partner's Day Branch falls into the other's Kong Wang — the relationship is often "emotionally empty," without a deep bond.
• If both partners have a strong Kong Wang — this can be either an incredibly harmonious "union of two hermits" or "two ghosts passing through each other."
• If one has an active Kong Wang and the other does not, it is important that the one without Kong Wang understands the "different logic" of the partner and does not demand "ordinary" behaviour from them.

Kong Wang is perhaps the deepest and most philosophical star in the BaZi system. It reminds us that at the foundation of everything is the void, and that this void is not terrifying but, on the contrary — it is the space of possibility. In every era there have been people who turned their Kong Wang into a source of creativity, wisdom, sanctity. And there were those who, not understanding it, suffered.

Knowing your Kong Wang is the first step toward being first rather than second. This is the ancient wisdom of the Zi Ping school, which we pass on through bazi.cards in a modern, accurate and applicable form.