The Art of K-Fortunes
Discover the ancient wisdom of Saju (四柱),
Korea's traditional system of destiny analysis.
🏛️ What is Saju?
Saju (사주, 四柱) literally means "Four Pillars" and refers to the four pillars of destiny based on your birth year, month, day, and hour. Each pillar consists of two characters - a Heavenly Stem (천간, 天干) and an Earthly Branch (지지, 地支), creating eight characters in total. This is why it's also called Saju Palja (사주팔자, 四柱八字) or "Four Pillars, Eight Characters."
☰ Ten Heavenly Stems
The 10 Heavenly Stems (천간) represent the yang and yin aspects of the Five Elements:
🐉 Twelve Earthly Branches
The 12 Earthly Branches (지지) correspond to the Chinese zodiac animals:
☯️ The Five Elements (오행, 五行)
The Five Elements form the foundation of Saju analysis. They interact in cycles of generation (상생) and control (상극):
Generation Cycle (상생):
Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water → Wood
Control Cycle (상극):
Wood → Earth → Water → Fire → Metal → Wood
📖 The Four Pillars Explained
- Year Pillar (년주): Represents your ancestry, early childhood, and social persona
- Month Pillar (월주): Represents your parents, youth, and career potential
- Day Pillar (일주): The most important pillar - represents your true self and marriage
- Hour Pillar (시주): Represents your children, later life, and achievements
🔄 The 60 Jiazi Cycle (육십갑자)
The 60 Jiazi (육십갑자, 六十甲子) is the foundational cycle in East Asian calendrical systems. It combines the 10 Heavenly Stems with the 12 Earthly Branches to create 60 unique combinations.
This cycle takes 60 years to complete, which is why the 60th birthday (환갑, hwangap) is traditionally celebrated as a significant milestone in Korean culture - it marks the completion of one full cycle of life.
Examples of Jiazi combinations:
👤 Understanding Your Day Master
The Day Master (일간, 日干) is the Heavenly Stem of your Day Pillar and represents your core identity. Here's what each Day Master reveals:
甲 Gap (Yang Wood)
Like a tall tree - ambitious, principled, leader-type
乙 Eul (Yin Wood)
Like grass or vines - flexible, artistic, adaptable
丙 Byeong (Yang Fire)
Like the sun - warm, charismatic, generous
丁 Jeong (Yin Fire)
Like candlelight - nurturing, detail-oriented, refined
戊 Mu (Yang Earth)
Like a mountain - stable, reliable, protective
己 Gi (Yin Earth)
Like fertile soil - nurturing, patient, productive
庚 Gyeong (Yang Metal)
Like a sword - decisive, just, strong-willed
辛 Sin (Yin Metal)
Like jewelry - elegant, refined, perfectionist
壬 Im (Yang Water)
Like the ocean - deep, wise, resourceful
癸 Gye (Yin Water)
Like rain or dew - intuitive, gentle, perceptive
🌟 History & Culture
Saju has been practiced in Korea for over a thousand years, with roots tracing back to ancient Chinese philosophy. It combines elements of astronomy, philosophy, and the natural order to provide insights into one's destiny. In Korea, consulting a Saju master (사주 선생님) for major life decisions like marriage, business ventures, or naming children remains a common practice today.
While modern interpretations treat Saju as a tool for self-reflection rather than rigid fate prediction, it continues to offer valuable insights into personality traits, life tendencies, and interpersonal dynamics.
📅 Saju in Modern Korea
Despite modernization, Saju remains deeply embedded in Korean culture:
- Marriage: Many Korean couples consult Saju compatibility before marriage, known as "gunghap" (궁합)
- Naming: Parents often use Saju analysis to choose auspicious names for children
- Business: Entrepreneurs may consult Saju for business timing and partnerships
- New Year: Annual Saju forecasts are popular during Seollal (Korean New Year)
- Career: Job seekers sometimes use Saju to identify suitable career paths
⚖️ Understanding Saju Balance
A key concept in Saju is balance. An ideal chart has:
- Elemental Balance: Representation of all five elements
- Yin-Yang Harmony: Balance between active and passive energies
- Seasonal Alignment: Elements that complement your birth season
When elements are missing or excessive, practitioners recommend adjustments through colors, directions, career choices, or even name changes to achieve better balance.
💡 How to Use Your Reading
Your Saju reading is meant to be a tool for self-reflection, not a rigid prediction. Here are some healthy ways to use it:
- Self-awareness: Use insights to understand your natural tendencies
- Growth: Identify areas where you can develop and improve
- Relationships: Understand different personality types and communication styles
- Decision-making: Consider your strengths when making career or life choices
- Entertainment: Enjoy exploring this ancient tradition with an open mind
Remember: You are not defined by your birth chart. Free will, effort, and circumstances all play crucial roles in shaping your destiny.