Basic Structure
The foundational terms you need to understand how a Saju chart works.
The Four Pillars
Four Pillars
사주 (四柱) Saju
Your birth year, month, day, and hour expressed as four "pillars." Sa = four, Ju = pillar.
→ See G1
Eight Characters
팔자 (八字) Palja
Four pillars × 2 characters each (Stem + Branch) = 8 total characters. The full name "Saju Palja" means "Four Pillars, Eight Characters."
Heavenly Stems
천간 (天干) Cheongan
10 characters representing heavenly energy. The top character of each pillar.
→ See G2
Earthly Branches
지지 (地支) Jiji
12 characters representing earthly energy. The bottom character of each pillar. Corresponds to the 12 zodiac animals.
→ See G2
Year Pillar
연주 (年柱) Yeonju
The pillar of your birth year. Represents ancestors, family background, and social context.
Month Pillar
월주 (月柱) Wolju
The pillar of your birth month. Represents parents, upbringing, and career/social activities.
Day Pillar
일주 (日柱) Ilju
The pillar of your birth day. The core of Saju — represents "you yourself."
→ See G4
Hour Pillar
시주 (時柱) Siju
The pillar of your birth hour. Represents children, later life, and hidden potential.
→ See G3
Core Concepts
Key Principles
Day Master
일간 (日干) Ilgan
The Heavenly Stem of the Day Pillar. The central reference point of all Saju analysis — this character represents "you."
Five Elements
오행 (五行) Ohaeng
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. The system that classifies all energy into five types.
→ See G6
Yin-Yang
음양 (陰陽) Eumyang
The principle dividing everything into Yang (active, bright) and Yin (passive, dark).
Useful God
용신 (用神) Yongshin
The element your chart needs most. Like a "prescription" that fills what's lacking to restore balance.
Favorable God
희신 (喜神) Huishin
The element that supports the Useful God. The second-most beneficial element in your chart.
Unfavorable God
기신 (忌神) Gishin
The element that disrupts your chart's balance. Periods when this element arrives require caution.
Strong Self
신강 (身强) Shingang
A chart where the Day Master is powerful. Independent, assertive, and self-driven personality.
Weak Self
신약 (身弱) Shinyak
A chart where the Day Master is weak. Needs support from others, cooperative and adaptive personality.
Ten Gods (Sipshin)
The ten relationship types between your Day Master and other elements in your chart.
The 10 Relationships
Companion
비견 (比肩) Bigyeon
Same element, same polarity as Day Master. Represents friends, peers, and competitors.
Rob Wealth
겁재 (劫財) Geopjae
Same element, different polarity. Rivals, sibling competition, and financial outflow.
Eating God
식신 (食神) Sikshin
Element I create, same polarity. Represents food fortune, expressiveness, artistry, and children.
Hurting Officer
상관 (傷官) Sanggwan
Element I create, different polarity. Creativity, rebelliousness, and desire for free expression.
Indirect Wealth
편재 (偏財) Pyeonjae
Element I control, same polarity. Investment skill, business acumen, and father figure.
Direct Wealth
정재 (正財) Jeongjae
Element I control, different polarity. Stable income, diligent financial management, spouse (for men).
Indirect Authority
편관 (偏官) Pyeongwan
Element that controls me, same polarity. Also called "Seven Killings." Intense challenges and transformation.
Direct Authority
정관 (正官) Jeonggwan
Element that controls me, different polarity. Career, honor, discipline, spouse (for women).
Indirect Resource
편인 (偏印) Pyeonin
Element that creates me, same polarity. Unconventional learning, unique talents, niche knowledge.
Direct Resource
정인 (正印) Jeongin
Element that creates me, different polarity. Mother, academics, certifications, and patronage.
Luck Cycles
Flow of Fortune
Major Luck Cycle
대운 (大運) Daewoon
A 10-year cycle of major fortune shifts. Like the "era" or "backdrop" that shapes your life's direction.
Annual Luck
세운 (歲運) Sewoon
Yearly fortune that changes each year. This is your "this year's horoscope."
Monthly Luck
월운 (月運) Wolwoon
Fortune that shifts each month. The basis for monthly horoscope readings.
Daily Luck
일운 (日運) Ilwoon
Fortune that changes daily. The basis for "today's horoscope" and auspicious/inauspicious day readings.
Special Concepts
Advanced Terms
Sexagenary Cycle
육십갑자 (六十甲子)
60 unique combinations from pairing Yang Stems with Yang Branches and Yin with Yin. A full cycle = 60 years = Hwangap (60th birthday celebration).
→ See G2, G4
Special Stars
신살 (神殺) Shinsal
Special stars formed by unique Stem-Branch combinations. Includes Peach Blossom, Traveling Horse, Heavenly Noble, etc.
→ See G5
Creation Cycle
상생 (相生) Sangsaeng
Elements supporting each other: Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water → Wood.
→ See G6
Destruction Cycle
상극 (相剋) Sanggeuk
Elements checking each other: Wood → Earth → Water → Fire → Metal → Wood.
→ See G6
Combination
합 (合) Hap
When two characters meet and transform into a new element. Includes Stem combinations (6 types) and Branch combinations (6 types).
Clash
충 (沖) Chung
When Earthly Branches in opposite positions collide. Signals change, movement, and conflict.
Wrapping up the Saju Guide Series:
From G1 through G7, we've explored all the fundamental concepts of Saju. Saju is an ancient Eastern philosophical system spanning thousands of years, and this guide is merely the entrance to that vast world.
But having read these seven articles, you can now understand a Saju expert's analysis much more deeply, and interpret AI-powered Saju readings with greater insight.
May your Saju journey lead to wonderful paths ahead. ✨
From G1 through G7, we've explored all the fundamental concepts of Saju. Saju is an ancient Eastern philosophical system spanning thousands of years, and this guide is merely the entrance to that vast world.
But having read these seven articles, you can now understand a Saju expert's analysis much more deeply, and interpret AI-powered Saju readings with greater insight.
May your Saju journey lead to wonderful paths ahead. ✨
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