The spirit of the vessel reveals itself by direction

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Eight Mansions (Bazhai)?

The Eight Mansions (Bazhai) is a method in traditional feng shui that derives a person's Ming Gua (life trigram) from their year of birth and gender, then, according to the sitting orientation of the dwelling, determines the four auspicious positions (Sheng Qi, Tian Yi, Yan Nian, Fu Wei) and the four inauspicious positions (Jue Ming, Wu Gui, Liu Sha, Huo Hai). It derives from the classical text Bazhai Mingjing and is widely practised in Taiwanese folk feng shui.

What is the 'Ming Gua (life trigram)', and how is it calculated?

The Ming Gua (life trigram) assigns each person to one of the eight trigrams — Kan, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, Qian, Dui and Gen. This site calculates it with the San Yuan Purple-White method: based on your year of birth in the Western calendar (counted into the current year only after the Beginning of Spring, lichun) together with your gender, it yields a Ming Gua number from 1 to 9, which then maps to either the East Four Houses or the West Four Houses.

What is the difference between the East Four Houses and the West Four Houses?

The East Four Houses are the Kan, Zhen, Xun and Li destinies (auspicious positions tending toward north, east, southeast and south); the West Four Houses are the Kun, Qian, Dui and Gen destinies (auspicious positions tending toward southwest, northwest, west and northeast). The auspicious positions of one group are the inauspicious positions of the other, so when placing feng shui objects you should choose the position according to your own Ming Gua and never apply a single rule to everyone.

What is the favourable element?

The favourable element is the Five-Element energy in BaZi astrology that most benefits the Day Master (the Heavenly Stem of your day of birth). This site uses a simplified seasonal-adjustment method based on 'Day Master + the season of the birth month', serving as a supplementary directional guide alongside the four auspicious positions of the Ming Gua.

Can it be moved after consecration?

It is generally advised not to move or extinguish it within the first seven days of enshrinement, so that the energy field may settle. If it must be moved after seven days, you may burn incense to give notice beforehand and choose an auspicious day suitable for worship and for installing incense to set it back in place.

What if I am unsure of my birth hour?

You may tick 'Unsure', and the system will calculate using 12 noon; however, the Hour Pillar may then differ from the true one, which will affect the precision of the favourable element. We recommend using your actual birth details.

Is the calculated result absolute?

This site's calculation is offered only as a reference for the direction of enshrinement. True destiny analysis must weigh many factors together — the BaZi configuration, the dwelling's aspect, the annual cycle and more — so for the final choice of position we still recommend confirming with the temple's officiant or a professional geomancer, and giving priority to the auspicious and inauspicious dates.