Four Pillars · eight characters
What Is a BaZi Birth Chart?
A BaZi birth chart displays four calendrical pairs calculated from birth details. This page labels its visible anatomy.
Short answer
What does a BaZi birth chart contain?
Key facts
- Inputs
- Birth date, local birth time and location.
- Output
- Four stem-branch pairs arranged as eight characters.
- Reference point
- The Day Pillar's stem is the Day Master.
- Boundary
- Chart anatomy is calculated; meaning is traditionally interpreted.
What does the chart anatomy look like?
Hypothetical example for learning — not a real person's birth chart.
| Year | Month | Day | Hour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavenly Stem | Jia 甲 (Yang Wood) | Ding 丁 (Yin Fire) | Geng 庚 (Yang Metal) | Xin 辛 (Yin Metal) |
| Earthly Branch | Zi 子 (Water) | Mao 卯 (Wood) | Shen 申 (Metal) | Si 巳 (Fire) |
Branch elemental labels are simplified visible categories; actual traditional interpretation adds layers beyond this learning table.
Which six components are visible?
Four Pillars: Year, Month, Day and Hour positions. Heavenly Stems: the upper character in each pair. Earthly Branches: the lower character in each pair.
Day Pillar: Geng-Shen in this example. Day Master: its stem, Geng 庚. Five Element labels: visible simplified categories beside each character.
Explore the Four Pillars structure, the Day Master derivation, or the beginner chart-reading sequence.
Which parts are calculated or interpreted?
Calculated components are the pillar pairs and labels. Traditional interpretive layers add relationships and seasonal context. Modern lifestyle framing may use them as reflection prompts, but they are not scientific measurements or deterministic claims.
How does this differ from a Western birth chart?
Both are called birth charts in English, but Western natal astrology commonly uses astronomical placements and houses, while BaZi uses Chinese calendrical stems, branches and pillars.
Ready to explore your chart?
Use the framework as a starting point for better questions, not a fixed verdict.
Which sources support these terms?
- Hong Kong Observatory, “Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches” — supports the calendrical stem-and-branch cycle and formal terminology.
- Kenyon College, “10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches” — supports stem names, yin-yang classifications and Five Element labels.