Earthen Chain (地支连茹)
The Earthen Chain (地支连茹) is a distinctive pattern in Bazi, serving as the counterpart to the Celestial Chain (天干连珠) formed by the Heavenly Stems. The term "连茹" originates from the phrase "拔茅连茹," which describes pulling up a tuft of grass and having its interconnected roots bring up others—symbolizing a sequence where each part is firmly linked to the next. At its core, this pattern is defined by the four Earthly Branches (地支) of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour Pillars aligning in the natural order of the twelve Earthly Branches, creating an unbroken sequence. This symbolizes a life foundation that is solid and stable, with progress that is steady, continuous, and built upon the achievements of each preceding stage.
How to Identify the Pattern
This pattern is determined by examining the four Earthly Branches (Year, Month, Day, and Hour Pillars). If these four Branches form a continuous sequence—either in direct or reverse order—or are spaced at regular intervals within the twelve Earthly Branches, the chart qualifies as an Earthen Chain.
The specifics are as follows:
Sequential Earthen Chain: The four Earthly Branches are consecutive in order, tightly linked.
- Example: Year Branch is Zi (子) Rat, Month Branch is Chou (丑) Ox, Day Branch is Yin (寅) Tiger, Hour Branch is Mao (卯) Rabbit.
- Example: Year Branch is Wei (未) Goat, Month Branch is Wu (午) Horse, Day Branch is Si (巳) Snake, Hour Branch is Chen (辰) Loong (reverse order).
Spaced Earthen Chain: The four Earthly Branches are all yang or all yin, each separated by one position in the sequence.
- Example: Year Branch is Zi (子) Rat, Month Branch is Yin (寅) Tiger, Day Branch is Chen (辰) Loong, Hour Branch is Wu (午) Horse.
- Example: Year Branch is Chou (丑) Ox, Month Branch is Mao (卯) Rabbit, Day Branch is Si (巳) Snake, Hour Branch is Wei (未) Goat.
Key to the Pattern: The order of the Earthly Branches is crucial. If the four Pillars contain the correct sequence but the positions are jumbled, the pattern does not apply. Additionally, the Earthly Branches should not be subject to severe clashes or penalties, as this would disrupt the integrity of the sequence.
Significance of the Pattern
Those whose charts feature the Earthen Chain pattern are believed to enjoy a life with a solid foundation and smooth progress. Each of the four Earthly Branches represents a different stage of life (Year for childhood, Month for youth, Day for adulthood, Hour for later years). When these are sequentially connected, it symbolizes the ability to transition smoothly between life stages, with the achievements of one phase naturally supporting the next. Individuals with this pattern are typically steady, methodical, and achieve success gradually through persistent effort rather than overnight breakthroughs. If the Heavenly Stems also form a smooth generating sequence, creating a "Heaven and Earth in Harmony" (天地俱连), it indicates a destiny of great wealth and nobility. The main drawback is that such a life path tends to be stable and may lack dramatic highs and lows; success is often found within established systems or stable environments, making it less likely for these individuals to become groundbreaking innovators or rule-breakers.
Favorable and Unfavorable Factors
Favorable:
- Harmonious Heavenly Stems: The pattern is most auspicious when the Heavenly Stems also form a Celestial Chain (天干连珠) or a smooth generating sequence, allowing the energies of Heaven and Earth to flow unobstructed—signifying both wealth and honor.
- Five Elements in Harmony: If the sequence of Earthly Branches supports the smooth flow of the Five Elements in the Heavenly Stems, the pattern is elevated. For example, if the Earthly Branches are Hai (亥) Pig, Zi (子) Rat, Chou (丑) Ox, Yin (寅) Tiger, and the Heavenly Stems are Metal, Water, and Wood in generating order, this is considered a superior configuration.
- Stable Luck Cycles: If the major luck cycles (大运) progress smoothly and do not clash violently with the original Earthen Chain, the individual will enjoy lifelong stability and enduring fortune.
Unfavorable:
- Clashes and Penalties among Earthly Branches: This is the greatest taboo for the pattern. If major luck cycles or annual influences bring strong clashes to any link in the original Earthen Chain, it is like a chain breaking—signaling major setbacks or upheavals during that period.
- Disordered Sequence: If the Year, Month, Day, and Hour Branches are not arranged in proper sequence, the pattern does not apply and the chart is considered ordinary.
- Discordant Heavenly Stems: If the Earthly Branches form an Earthen Chain but the Heavenly Stems are in conflict, resulting in "Heavenly Stems Clash, Earthly Branches Collide" (天克地冲), it indicates disharmony between inner self and external circumstances, leading to inner conflict and frustration.
Classical Text Reference
From "San Ming Tong Hui" (《三命通会》):
谓年月日时胎得子寅辰午申戌，地支各间一位，或子丑寅卯辰相连之类。《赋》云：“拔茅连茹兮，愈坚愈固。”又云：“得连茹者富”，是干支之别也。若天干地支俱连，富贵双全。如英国公丁己、丙午、丁未、戊申，诚意伯刘瑜庚子、戊寅、庚辰、壬午是也。若年隔二位，月隔时日一位，如子年卯月，巳日未时之类。谓之贵人局，主吉。
Explanation: This refers to the Earthly Branches of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour (and sometimes the prenatal pillar) being Zi (子) Rat, Yin (寅) Tiger, Chen (辰) Loong, Wu (午) Horse, Shen (申) Monkey, or Xu (戌) Dog—each separated by one position; or to sequences like Zi (子) Rat, Chou (丑) Ox, Yin (寅) Tiger, Mao (卯) Rabbit, Chen (辰) Loong, which are tightly connected. The classic says: "Like pulling up grass with interconnected roots, the more connected, the stronger and more stable." It also states: "Those who attain the Earthen Chain pattern are destined for wealth." This distinguishes it from the Celestial Chain of Heavenly Stems. If both Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches form continuous sequences, it indicates both wealth and nobility. For example, the chart of the Duke of England: Ding Wei (丁未, Year), Bing Wu (丙午, Month), Ding Si (丁巳, Day), Wu Shen (戊申, Hour); and the chart of Lord Chengyi Liu Yu: Geng Zi (庚子), Wu Yin (戊寅), Geng Chen (庚辰), Ren Wu (壬午)—both exemplify this pattern. If the Year Branch is separated by two positions, and the Month, Day, and Hour Branches are each separated by one, such as Zi (子) Rat year, Mao (卯) Rabbit month, Si (巳) Snake day, Wei (未) Goat hour, this is called the "Nobleman Formation" (贵人局), which is also auspicious.
FAQ
What is the Earthen Chain pattern in Bazi
The Earthen Chain (地支连茹) is a unique pattern in Bazi astrology formed when the four Earthly Branches of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour Pillars create a continuous sequence in the natural order of the twelve Earthly Branches. This unbroken alignment symbolizes a life path that is stable, steady, and built upon the achievements of each life stage. The Earthen Chain is considered the Earthly counterpart to the Celestial Chain (天干连珠) of the Heavenly Stems and is associated with solid life foundations and gradual, methodical success.
How to identify an Earthen Chain in a Bazi chart
To identify an Earthen Chain in a Bazi chart, examine the four Earthly Branches of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour Pillars. If these Branches form a continuous sequence—either directly or in reverse order—or are all yang or all yin and spaced evenly within the twelve Earthly Branches, the chart qualifies as having an Earthen Chain. The order must be correct and not jumbled, and there should be no severe clashes or penalties among the Branches, as these disrupt the chain's integrity.
Why is the Earthen Chain pattern significant in Chinese astrology
The Earthen Chain pattern is significant in Chinese astrology because it represents a stable and continuous flow of life energy. Individuals with this pattern are believed to progress smoothly through different life stages, with each achievement supporting the next. This results in a steady, reliable path to success, often within established systems. When combined with harmonious Heavenly Stems, the pattern is even more auspicious, symbolizing wealth, honor, and a balanced destiny.
When does an Earthen Chain pattern become most favorable in Bazi
An Earthen Chain pattern becomes most favorable in Bazi when the Heavenly Stems also form a Celestial Chain or a smooth generating sequence, allowing for harmonious flow between Heaven and Earth energies. Additionally, the pattern is especially auspicious when the sequence of Earthly Branches supports the Five Elements in the Heavenly Stems. This combination elevates the chart, signifying increased potential for wealth, stability, and honor.
What are the common drawbacks of having an Earthen Chain in Bazi
The main drawback of having an Earthen Chain in Bazi is that the life path it represents tends to be stable but may lack dramatic highs and lows. Individuals with this pattern often achieve success gradually and are less likely to experience rapid breakthroughs or become trailblazing innovators. Their strengths lie in persistence, reliability, and thriving within established systems, rather than in taking risks or breaking new ground.