Fortune Aloft (飞天禄马)
Fortune Aloft (飞天禄马) is one of the most rare and coveted hidden Patterns in Bazi (Four Pillars) metaphysics, signifying the potential for extraordinary wealth and high status. Its core principle is "creating something from nothing": within the chart, there is no visible trace of Executive (Direct Officer) or Wealth stars. Instead, the chart harnesses an exceptionally strong and focused force within the Earthly Branches (typically Water), which remotely "strikes" the opposing palace to activate and claim hidden Wealth and Executive for personal use. Once established, this Pattern is truly exceptional—its bearer is destined to create miracles from ordinary circumstances, achieving remarkable social standing and affluence.
Identification Method
The identification of Fortune Aloft is extremely stringent, applying only to those born on one of four specific days: Geng Zi (庚子), Ren Zi (壬子), Xin Hai (辛亥), or Gui Hai (癸亥). The chart must feature a powerful surge of Water, which, through the Earthly Branches, remotely triggers and secretly acquires the Executive and Wealth stars.
The two main forms are as follows:
Geng Zi (庚子) and Ren Zi (壬子) Days: Striking Wu (午) for Nobility
- Day Pillar: Must be Geng Zi or Ren Zi.
- Striking Branches: The Earthly Branches must contain multiple Zi (子) Rat (at least two or three), forming a potent remote strike to activate the opposing Wu (午) Horse (Fire).
- Combining Branches: The chart favors the presence of Yin (寅) Tiger, Xu (戌) Dog, or Wei (未) Goat among the Earthly Branches, which can combine with the struck Wu (午) Horse to lock in the hidden Executive and Wealth (Wu-Wei combine, Yin-Wu-Xu combine).
- Taboos: The Four Pillars must not reveal any Executive stars (Ding (丁), Ji (己)), Wealth stars (Ding (丁)), filled positions (Wu (午)), or entanglements (Chou (丑) Ox).
Xin Hai (辛亥) and Gui Hai (癸亥) Days: Striking Si (巳) for Nobility
- Day Pillar: Must be Xin Hai or Gui Hai.
- Striking Branches: The Earthly Branches must contain multiple Hai (亥) Pig (at least two or three), forming a powerful remote strike to activate the opposing Si (巳) Snake (Fire).
- Combining Branches: The chart favors the presence of Shen (申) Monkey, You (酉) Rooster, or Chou (丑) Ox among the Earthly Branches, which can combine with the struck Si (巳) Snake to lock in the hidden Executive and Wealth (Si-Shen combine, Si-You-Chou combine).
- Taboos: The Four Pillars must not reveal any Executive stars (Bing (丙), Wu (戊)), Wealth stars (Bing (丙)), filled positions (Si (巳)), or entanglements (Yin (寅) Tiger).
Pattern Significance
Those born under the Fortune Aloft Pattern are natural pioneers and creators of opportunity. Their charts lack ready-made "Fortune and Steed" (Wealth and Executive), meaning they do not rely on background or conventional paths. Their greatest asset is the singular, concentrated force within themselves (the abundance of Zi or Hai). Through the intense act of "striking," they forge new possibilities and seize opportunities that did not previously exist. However, if there is only "striking" without "combining," it results in fruitless effort—the ancients called such people "drifters" or "wandering artisans": talented, but unable to achieve true greatness. Only when the combining branches firmly lock in the struck Wealth and Executive can opportunities truly be transformed into personal achievement—this is the mark of great fortune.
Favorable and Unfavorable Conditions
Favorable:
- Strong Day Master: This is the foundation of the Pattern. The Day Master must have Seasonal Advantage or be in a position of strength (typically born in winter months), with enough power to "activate" the remote strike of the Earthly Branches. If weak, the strike cannot occur.
- Abundant Striking Branches: The more Zi (子) Rat or Hai (亥) Pig branches present in the chart (ideally three or more), the more concentrated and powerful the force, enabling the opening of the opposing palace's treasure.
- Presence of Combining Branches: The chart must include combining branches that can merge with the struck Wu (午) Horse or Si (巳) Snake, akin to casting a wide net and then being able to gather it in, ensuring the Fortune and Executive are secured for personal use.
- Favorable Luck Cycles: Luck cycles favoring Talent (Eating God, Wood) allow the release of abundant energy and the expression of talent; or cycles favoring Metal and Water, which further strengthen the self, both indicating wealth and status.
Unfavorable:
- Exposed Executive or Warlord: This is the primary breaker of the Pattern. If the Heavenly Stems or Earthly Branches openly reveal Executive (Direct Officer) or Warlord (Seven Killings), the individual becomes content with visible "real" authority, losing the motivation and mechanism for remote activation, and the Pattern fails.
- Filled Executive Vault: If the Earthly Branches openly display the struck character (Wu (午) Horse or Si (巳) Snake), this is called "filling the position." The vacancy is filled, the remote strike is nullified, and the Pattern collapses.
- Entangled Combining Branches: If the striking branches (Zi (子) Rat or Hai (亥) Pig) are combined with neighboring branches (Zi combined with Chou (丑) Ox, Hai combined with Yin (寅) Tiger), they become distracted by the combination and lose the power to strike.
- Special Taboos: Geng Zi (庚子) Day dislikes excessive Water, which leads to the "Metal submerged, Water adrift" scenario; Ren Zi (壬子) Day should not reveal Ding (丁) Fire Wealth star, as it may lead to issues of indulgence or scandal.
Classical Source Text
San Ming Tong Hui (《三命通会》)
《喜忌篇》云：“若逢伤官月建，如凶处未必为凶。”内有倒禄飞冲，忌官星亦嫌羁绊。以格唯有四日：庚子、壬子、辛亥、癸亥，生十月、十一月冬水纯阴，柱无财官方用。又须月时或年与日同支，方能并冲。忌官星显露，禄难飞冲，合神羁绊，不能飞冲。要柱中有一字合住禄马，方不走了贵气。喜伤官、食神及干支本运。
假令庚子日，庚以丁火为官，在子月生，是伤官月建，可谓凶处。若子字多，冲出午中丁火，则庚日得官星，未可便以凶论。柱要有未或寅、戌，但得一字合午为妙。若有丑羁绊，子去贪合，不能冲午中之禄，见丁字为官，露丙为杀，显午字填实，戊吞啖，则减分数，岁运同。
壬子日，壬以己土为官，要柱中子字多，冲午中己土，则壬日得官星，其喜忌与庚子日同。辛亥日，辛用丙火为官；癸亥日，癸用戊土为官，俱要四柱亥字多，冲出巳中丙戊，则辛癸得官星，柱有申或酉丑，但得一作合为妙，多则不中。有寅羁绊，则亥贪合，不能冲巳中之禄，见丙、戊、己为官星露，减分数，岁运同。
又曰：“庚子、壬子二日，不但忌上所犯，庚子不喜水太旺，为金沉水泛，僧道贫苦之命。或坐丑月，得酉子合丑，运行西方，如意，却不贵。壬子不宜见财，为遇丁而太过，必犯淫讹之乱。辛丑二日不论，支下但见亥子多，变能冲官。辛日惟怕巳丙，癸日惟怕己戊，余忌稍轻。”又曰：“飞天无合，乃漂流之人；有冲，多是九流技艺之辈，近贵而已。既冲又合，若犯前忌，亦不入格。岁运逢之，甚者遭横逆。辛亥、癸亥见之，稍轻。”
古歌曰：“正冲之格是庚壬，子去冲官禄自亨。四柱更逢寅戌未，三字得一合功名。” 又：“庚壬子月号冲官，午动丁移己亦迁。填实破刑俱不犯，英名魁誉四方传。” 又：“禄马飞天识者稀，庚壬重子贵非疑。柱无羁绊官星现，平步青云到凤池。” 又：“辛癸冲官亥日重，巳中丙戊禄来崇。更逢酉丑申居命，得一合神便贵荣。” 又：“日逢辛癸支临亥，酉丑加申合贵人。四柱相扶无戊己，威风千里振英声。” 又：“飞天禄马少人知，辛癸亥多最为宜。不见官杀并惹绊，少年宝贵拜凡墀。” 又：“庚壬二日重逢子，辛癸年时遇亥多。冲起飞天真禄马，无官无绊定中和。” 又：“柱嫌丁丙并戊己，巳午无纵寅戌明。不见丑寅来羁绊，子亥冲官贵禄荣。” 又：“亥逢辛癸子庚壬，禄马飞天仔细寻。岁运若逢财旺地，须当权职自高升。” 又：“飞天禄马最难穷，正要庚壬坐子重。壬暗午中邀己禄，庚虚离位就丁功。鼠中同伴子难动，戌要相牵午共寅。庚忌丁神壬忌己，若无此犯禄丰隆。” 又：“辛癸生人喜亥重，巳中丙戊得逢冲。戊来合癸三元喜，丙去伏辛四柱雄。杀刃官空皆畏忌，刑冲破害总朦胧。若无填实虚有会，豪杰英雄迥不同。”
按此格，止庚子、辛亥是伤官，壬子、癸亥则非。
Explanation: The "Favorable and Unfavorable" chapter states: "If one encounters a month governed by the Maverick (Hurting Officer), what appears ominous may not truly be so." This refers to a configuration known as the Reversed Fortune Aloft, which is averse to exposed Executive stars and dislikes entanglements in the Earthly Branches. This Pattern is limited to four days: Geng Zi (庚子), Ren Zi (壬子), Xin Hai (辛亥), and Gui Hai (癸亥), born in the pure Water months of October or November (winter), and only when the Four Pillars lack visible Wealth and Executive stars. Additionally, the Month, Hour, or Year Branch must match the Day Branch (e.g., Geng Zi Day also falls in Zi Month or Zi Hour), providing enough force for the strike. Exposed Executive stars are taboo, as they prevent the Fortune from "flying aloft"; entangled combining branches also hinder the strike. Ideally, one of the Four Pillars contains a branch that can combine with the struck Fortune and Steed (Executive star), ensuring the noble Qi does not dissipate. The Pattern favors the presence of Maverick (Hurting Officer), Talent (Eating God), and luck cycles that strengthen the Day Master.
For example, on a Geng Zi Day, Geng (庚) Metal takes Ding (丁) Fire as its Executive (Direct Officer). If born in Zi (子) Month, this is a Maverick (Hurting Officer) month, which appears ominous. However, if the chart contains many Zi (子) Rat branches, they can strike out the hidden Ding (丁) Fire within Wu (午) Horse, thus granting the Geng Day Master the Executive star. This should not be hastily judged as inauspicious. Ideally, the chart also contains Wei (未) Goat, Yin (寅) Tiger, or Xu (戌) Dog, to combine with the struck Wu (午) Horse—this is the subtlety. If Chou (丑) Ox entangles Zi (子) Rat (Zi-Chou combine), Zi becomes distracted by the combination and cannot strike Wu (午) Horse for the Executive; if Ding (丁) appears openly (exposed Executive), Bing (丙) appears (Warlord mixed in), Wu (午) Horse is present (filled position), or Wu (戊) Earth (Mentor/Resource) suppresses Zi (子) Rat (Maverick/Hurting Officer), the Pattern is weakened. The same applies to luck cycles.
On Ren Zi (壬子) Day, Ren (壬) Water takes Ji (己) Earth as its Executive (Direct Officer). The chart must have many Zi (子) Rat branches to strike the hidden Ji (己) Earth within Wu (午) Horse, thus granting the Executive star. The favorable and unfavorable conditions are the same as for Geng Zi Day. On Xin Hai (辛亥) Day, Xin (辛) Metal takes Bing (丙) Fire as Executive; on Gui Hai (癸亥) Day, Gui (癸) Water takes Wu (戊) Earth as Executive. Both require many Hai (亥) Pig branches in the Four Pillars to strike out the hidden Bing (丙) Fire and Wu (戊) Earth within Si (巳) Snake, thus granting the Executive star. Ideally, the chart also contains Shen (申) Monkey, You (酉) Rooster, or Chou (丑) Ox to combine with the struck Si (巳) Snake—one is enough, more is not better. If Yin (寅) Tiger entangles (Yin-Hai combine), Hai (亥) Pig becomes distracted and cannot strike Si (巳) Snake for the Executive; if Bing (丙), Wu (戊), or Ji (己) appear openly (exposed Executive), the Pattern is weakened, and the same applies to luck cycles.
Another view: "Geng Zi and Ren Zi Days are not only subject to the above taboos; Geng Zi Day dislikes excessive Water, which leads to 'Metal submerged, Water adrift'—a fate of poverty or monastic life. If born in Chou (丑) Month, with You (酉) Rooster and Zi (子) Rat combining with Chou (丑) Ox (forming part of the Three Combinations Team), and luck cycles favoring the West (Metal), life may be smooth but not noble. Ren Zi Day should not see Wealth stars (Ding (丁) Fire), as Ding-Ren combine leads to excess, likely resulting in indulgence or scandal. Xin Hai and Gui Hai Days (original text mistakenly says Xin Chou) require many Hai (亥) Pig and Zi (子) Rat branches to strike for the Executive. Xin (辛) Day fears Si (巳) Snake and Bing (丙) Fire; Gui (癸) Day fears Ji (己) and Wu (戊) Earth; other taboos are less severe." Also: "If Fortune Aloft only strikes without combining, the person is a drifter; if only striking, they are often artisans or entertainers, close to nobility but not truly noble. If both striking and combining are present but previous taboos are violated, the Pattern does not form. In luck cycles, one may encounter misfortune; for Xin Hai and Gui Hai Days, the consequences are milder."
Ancient verses state: "The true striking Pattern is Geng or Ren Day; Zi (子) Rat strikes for Executive and Fortune, and all goes smoothly. If the Four Pillars also contain Yin (寅) Tiger, Xu (戌) Dog, or Wei (未) Goat, just one is enough to combine for achievement." Another verse: "Geng or Ren Day in Zi (子) Month is called Striking for Executive; when Wu (午) Horse is activated, Ding (丁) and Ji (己) also emerge. If not filled or broken, fame and reputation spread far and wide." Another: "Few recognize Fortune Aloft; Geng or Ren Day with many Zi (子) Rat branches is certainly noble. If the chart lacks entanglements and exposed Executive stars, one rises swiftly to high office." Another: "Xin or Gui Day strikes for Executive with many Hai (亥) Pig branches; the hidden Bing (丙) Fire and Wu (戊) Earth in Si (巳) Snake are thus elevated. If the chart also contains You (酉) Rooster, Chou (丑) Ox, or Shen (申) Monkey, just one combining branch brings wealth and honor." Another: "Day Pillar is Xin or Gui, Earthly Branch is Hai (亥) Pig, with You (酉) Rooster, Chou (丑) Ox, or Shen (申) Monkey combining for nobility. If the Four Pillars support the Day Master and lack Wu (戊) or Ji (己) (Warlord/Executive) exposure, one commands respect and fame for miles." Another: "Few know Fortune Aloft; Xin or Gui Day with many Hai (亥) Pig branches is best. If no Executive or Warlord stars or entanglements are present, one gains wealth and status from youth." Another: "Geng or Ren Day with many Zi (子) Rat branches, Xin or Gui Day with many Hai (亥) Pig branches in the Year or Hour Pillar—this is true Fortune Aloft, with no exposed Executive or entanglements, and the chart is balanced." Another: "The chart dislikes Ding (丁), Bing (丙), Wu (戊), or Ji (己), and should not see Si (巳) Snake or Wu (午) Horse, but Yin (寅) Tiger or Xu (戌) Dog are favorable. If Chou (丑) Ox or Yin (寅) Tiger do not entangle, using Zi (子) Rat or Hai (亥) Pig to strike for Executive brings wealth and honor." Another: "Xin or Gui with Hai (亥) Pig, Geng or Ren with Zi (子) Rat—seek Fortune Aloft with care. If luck cycles favor Wealth, one should attain power and high office." Another: "The logic of Fortune Aloft is inexhaustible; the key is Geng or Ren Day sitting atop multiple Zi (子) Rat branches. Ren (壬) Water secretly invites Ji (己) Earth from Wu (午) Horse as Fortune, Geng (庚) Metal seeks Ding (丁) Fire in the distant Wu (午) Horse for merit. Too many Zi (子) Rat companions make it hard to strike, so Xu (戌) Dog and Yin (寅) Tiger are needed to guide Wu (午) Horse. Geng (庚) Metal avoids Ding (丁) Fire exposure, Ren (壬) Water avoids Ji (己) Earth exposure; if these are not violated, Fortune is abundant." Another: "People born on Xin (辛) or Gui (癸) Days favor many Hai (亥) Pig branches; the Bing (丙) Fire and Wu (戊) Earth in Si (巳) Snake can then be struck. Wu (戊) Earth combining with Gui (癸) Water is a triple blessing (Year, Month, Day), Bing (丙) Fire merging with Xin (辛) Metal makes the Four Pillars robust. Warlord, Blade, Executive, and Void are all to be feared; punishment, clash, break, and harm all cloud the Pattern. If not filled but left vacant, and the strike and combination succeed, one is a hero among heroes."
According to this Pattern, only Geng Zi (庚子) and Xin Hai (辛亥) Days are true Maverick Patterns (Day Branch is Maverick/Hurting Officer), while Ren Zi (壬子) and Gui Hai (癸亥) Days are not (Day Branch is Peer/Companion).
FAQ
What is Fortune Aloft in Bazi metaphysics
Fortune Aloft (飞天禄马) is a rare hidden Pattern in Bazi (Four Pillars) metaphysics. It indicates the potential for extraordinary wealth and high social status. In this pattern, there are no visible Executive or Wealth stars in the chart. Instead, a powerful force—usually Water in the Earthly Branches—remotely "strikes" an opposing palace to secretly activate and claim hidden wealth and executive power. Those born with this configuration are believed to create opportunities from nothing, achieving success and affluence through their unique chart structure.
How to identify if a Bazi chart has the Fortune Aloft pattern
To identify the Fortune Aloft pattern in a Bazi chart, check if the Day Pillar is one of these: Geng Zi (庚子), Ren Zi (壬子), Xin Hai (辛亥), or Gui Hai (癸亥). Next, look for multiple Zi (子) Rat or Hai (亥) Pig branches in the Earthly Branches, which enable a remote strike. The chart should also include specific combining branches (Yin, Xu, Wei for Wu; Shen, You, Chou for Si) to lock in hidden wealth and executive stars. Importantly, the Four Pillars must not reveal the relevant Executive or Wealth stars, nor certain taboo branches.
Why is the Fortune Aloft pattern significant in Bazi readings
The Fortune Aloft pattern is significant in Bazi readings because it symbolizes an individual’s ability to create wealth and status from seemingly ordinary circumstances. People with this pattern do not rely on a privileged background or visible resources. Instead, their chart’s unique structure allows them to seize hidden opportunities and achieve greatness through personal initiative and resilience. This pattern is rare and highly coveted, marking a destiny for exceptional success if the conditions are fully met.
What are the favorable conditions for activating Fortune Aloft in a Bazi chart
Favorable conditions for activating the Fortune Aloft pattern include a strong Day Master, typically born in winter months for maximum strength and advantage. The chart should have an abundance of the striking branches (Zi or Hai) to ensure a potent remote strike. Additionally, the presence of the correct combining branches (such as Yin, Xu, Wei, Shen, You, or Chou) is essential to lock in the hidden wealth and executive elements. The absence of taboo stars and branches in the Four Pillars further supports the pattern’s effectiveness.
When does the Fortune Aloft pattern fail to bring wealth and status
The Fortune Aloft pattern fails to bring wealth and status when key requirements are missing. If the Day Master is weak, or if there are not enough striking branches (Zi or Hai), the pattern cannot activate. Also, lacking the necessary combining branches means hidden wealth and executive stars cannot be secured, resulting in unfulfilled potential. The presence of taboo stars, such as visible Executive or Wealth stars in the Four Pillars, or entangling branches, will also disrupt the pattern’s power and block the transformation of opportunities into real achievement.