Earth in BaZi: Yang and Yin Earth in the Chart

Earth is one of the five elements on which both BaZi and feng shui are based. In a BaZi chart, Earth can appear in the Heavenly Stems and the Earthly Branches, or it can be the Day Master—in which case it describes the person themselves. Let’s explore what Earth means in a chart, how its Yang form differs from its Yin form, and what it means when there is a lot or very little of this element.

Which signs belong to the Earth element?

Among the Heavenly Stems, these are 戊 Wu (Yang Earth) and 己 Ji (Yin Earth). Among the Earthly Branches, they are 辰 Dragon, 未 Goat, 戌 Dog, and 丑 Ox. Generate your chart in the BaZi calculator, find these signs, and count how many times this element appears.

Yang and Yin forms

戊 Wu, Yang Earth is a mountain range, vast masses of rock and soil. A mountain is reliable and stable, and it conceals many things within it. Yang Earth is therefore associated with solidity, generosity, and patience, but also with slowness.

己 Ji, Yin Earth is the soft, moist soil of a garden, which can be carried away by wind and water and in which plants grow. It is associated with care, fertility, the ability to nourish others, and the ability to bring order to one’s surroundings.

Examples: Yang and Yin Earth

Yang Earth—Michael Jackson. Jackson was born on a 戊寅 day in the autumn Month of the Monkey, and his Hour Branch was the Pig. Yang Earth is a mountain, and in his chart it generously gives its strength to 庚申 Metal in the Month Pillar—his Output, skill, and talent.

Yin Earth—Jet Li. Jet Li was born on a 己亥 day in the Month of the Dragon and the Hour of the Dog. Yin Earth is fertile soil that patiently grows everything. His chart contains two Earth “storehouses”—the Dragon and the Dog—which give it support. His many years of wushu discipline reflect the patience Yin Earth is known for.

Element correspondences

Correspondence	Earth
Season	The last month of each season
Direction	Center, as well as northeast and southwest
Color	Yellow, brown
Shape	Square, flat
Produces	Metal
Produced by	Fire
Controls	Water
Controlled by	Wood

 

These correspondences are used in both BaZi and feng shui. For example, if Earth is useful for a person, it can be introduced through color, shape, or direction at home and at work.

The four storehouses

Earth holds a special position: four Earthly Branches belong to it, and each stands at the junction between seasons. These Branches are called storehouses because they contain other elements hidden within them, in addition to Earth. The combination of the Dragon and the Dog in a chart is called the “Heaven and Earth Net” and is traditionally associated with strong intuition.

A lot or a little of the element in the chart

A lot of Earth makes a person reliable, practical, and loyal. Excess Earth can make a person ponderous and prone to worrying. If there is little Earth, they may lack a sense of support and stability.

It is important to remember that “a lot” does not mean “good,” and “a little” does not mean “bad.” Everything depends on the strength of the Day Master and which elements are useful to it. There is a big difference between Earth born in an Earth or Fire month and Earth born in spring, when it is controlled by Wood. Earth is also weak in winter, during the Water months, because Fire does not support it.

Earth and careers

People often succeed in work connected with the strongest element in their chart. If Earth dominates the chart, consider fields such as real estate, construction, architecture, agriculture, insurance, consulting, and feng shui.

Earth and date selection

Every day has its own Stems and Branches, and therefore its own elements. A day that brings an element useful to you supports a new undertaking. A day that clashes with your chart does the opposite. That is why date selection on the site takes your BaZi chart into account: check your personal stars by date of birth or open the Personal Calendar. For a specific undertaking, use the auspicious date search.

Frequently asked questions

Is it bad if there is no Earth in my chart?

Not necessarily. A missing element is a feature of the chart, not a verdict. If Earth is useful to you, you can introduce it through your surroundings and look forward to periods when it arrives in the Luck Pillars or individual years.

My Day Master is Earth. Does that mean Earth is useful to me?

Not always. A strong Day Master usually benefits from elements that weaken it, while a weak one benefits from those that support it. This is determined by looking at the entire chart.