Reading the Eight Characters
Learn to read the Chinese characters of your birth chart: the ten Heavenly Stems, the twelve Earthly Branches, and how each maps to the Five Elements.
Free Video Lessons
Learn how to write and recognize the basic characters you need in BaZi and Feng Shui.
Free Lesson: The Heavenly Stems
Learn how to write and recognize the basic characters you need in BaZi and Feng Shui: the Heavenly Stems.
Watch the lesson →
Free Lesson: The Earthly Branches
Learn how to write and recognize the basic characters you need in BaZi and Feng Shui: the Earthly Branches.
Watch the lesson →Study the Characters
A BaZi chart is written with just 22 characters. Learn these and you can read any chart.
The Stems sit on the top row of your chart. Your Day Stem is your Day Master: the element that is “you.”
The Branches sit on the bottom row. Each one is a zodiac animal and a two-hour period of the day.
Every Stem and Branch belongs to one of these five elements. Tap an element to explore its symbols, people and places.
Calculate your Four Pillars
Use the BaZi calculator below to see your own eight characters, with true solar time.