Verdant Growth Pattern (曲直格)
The Verdant Growth Pattern (曲直格), also known as the Pattern of Benevolence and Longevity (曲直仁寿格), is a special type of "Pure Prosperity Pattern" (专旺格) in Chinese metaphysics. "Verdant Growth" reflects the innate nature of Wood—symbolizing vitality, upward growth, and flexibility. At its core, this pattern centers on a Day Master of Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) Wood, with the Four Pillars' Earthly Branches forming a powerful and pure Wood configuration. The Day Master's energy aligns harmoniously with this flourishing Wood Qi. Since Wood governs "benevolence," those who enter this pattern are often compassionate, upright, and blessed with longevity.
How to Identify the Pattern
This pattern focuses on Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) Wood as the Day Master, born in spring (Yin (寅), Mao (卯) months), with the Earthly Branches forming either the "Yin-Mao-Chen (寅卯辰)" Eastern Wood Three Meetings Team or the "Hai-Mao-Wei (亥卯未)" Three Combinations Team. The Four Pillars must not contain strong and dominant Executives or Warlords (Metal), which would disrupt the pattern.
Verdant Growth - Perfect (曲直格·真):
- The Day Master is Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) Wood, born in Yin (寅) or Mao (卯) months, when Wood is in seasonal advantage.
- The Earthly Branches fully form the Yin-Mao-Chen (寅卯辰) or Hai-Mao-Wei (亥卯未) Wood configuration.
- The Four Pillars are completely free of Executives or Warlords (Geng (庚), Xin (辛), Shen (申), You (酉)); or, if present, these are weak, combined away, or subdued.
- The chart contains Water (Mentor/Direct Resource) to nourish, or Fire (Talent/Eating God, Maverick/Hurting Officer) to channel the brilliance of Wood—both further enhance the pattern.
Verdant Growth - Flawed (曲直格·假):
- Even if not born in spring, the Earthly Branches still form a strong Wood configuration.
- There may be minor Executives or Warlords (Metal), but they are effectively subdued or transformed.
- The pattern is not entirely pure, but the Wood energy still dominates. However, one must wait for favorable luck cycles to remove hidden issues before prosperity can manifest.
Note: The distinction between "Perfect" and "Flawed" is not an absolute judgment of good or bad. Rather, it differentiates the degree of purity and the conditions required for achievement. Perfect Verdant Growth indicates a pure pattern with naturally higher potential for wealth and honor; Flawed Verdant Growth contains some imperfections, making its success more reliant on supportive luck cycles.
Meaning of the Pattern
Those whose destiny falls under the Verdant Growth Pattern (曲直格) are typically kind-hearted, upright, and possess a spirit of universal love. Thanks to the pure and abundant Wood Qi throughout the chart, such individuals often enjoy robust physical and mental health, as well as longevity. When Wood is vigorous and complemented by Fire (Talent/Eating God, Maverick/Hurting Officer), it forms the "Scholar's Flame" (木火通明), signifying literary brilliance and exceptional talent. If nourished by Water (Mentor/Direct Resource), it becomes "Water-Wood Harmony" (水木清华), indicating extraordinary wisdom and scholarly achievement. People with this pattern are natural leaders, but their leadership is characterized by virtue and moral influence rather than by force or authority. The main drawback is that excessive Wood Qi can sometimes lead to stubbornness and inflexibility.
Favorable and Unfavorable Elements
Favorable:
- Water (Mentor/Direct Resource): Water nourishes Wood, strengthening the pattern's momentum and bestowing wisdom and blessings. This is the most favorable element for this pattern.
- Wood (Peer/Friend, Rival/Rob Wealth): Additional Wood in luck cycles further amplifies the pattern's strength, signifying support from friends and peers.
- Fire (Talent/Eating God, Maverick/Hurting Officer): Fire serves as the outlet for Wood's refined energy, transforming the Day Master's abundant vitality into talent and creativity—also highly auspicious.
Unfavorable:
- Metal (Executive/Direct Officer, Warlord/Seven Killings): This is the greatest taboo for the pattern, known as the "Breaker of the Pattern." Metal overcomes Wood, causing "offending prosperity," which severely undermines the pattern's purity. This brings major misfortune, such as legal troubles or physical harm.
- Earth (Earner/Direct Wealth, Venturer/Indirect Wealth): Strong Wood overcomes Earth; encountering Earth in luck cycles can trigger "Rival's Greed"—loss of wealth, marital discord, or career instability.
- Clashes and Punishments: If the Earthly Branches forming the Wood configuration (Yin (寅), Mao (卯), Chen (辰), Hai (亥), Wei (未)) are seriously clashed or punished in the natal chart or during luck cycles, the pattern's foundation is damaged, which is inauspicious.
Classical Text Reference
From "San Ming Tong Hui" (《三命通会》):
甲乙日得亥卯未局，柱中须有亥字带印为入格，若无亥有卯，止是木之本气，却要见金土为贵。既无亥字，又无金土，则木不秀不实，难以言贵。 诗曰：“甲乙日生亥卯未，局合曲直须荣贵。柱中无亥宜土金，自是生来享福地。” 又曰：“甲乙生人寅卯辰，又名仁寿两堪评。亥卯未全嫌白帝，若逢坎位必身荣。”
Explanation: If a person is born on a Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) day, and the Earthly Branches form the Hai-Mao-Wei (亥卯未) Three Combinations Team of Wood, the presence of Hai (亥), which contains Ren (壬) Water (Mentor/Direct Resource), is essential for entering the pattern. If there is no Hai (亥) but there is Mao (卯), this only represents the main Qi of Wood; unless the chart is purely prosperous, one must see Metal (Executive/Direct Officer) or Earth (Earner/Direct Wealth) to achieve distinction. If neither Hai (亥) nor Metal/Earth is present, the Wood is neither elegant nor substantial, making it difficult to attain honor.
The poem says: "Those born on Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) days with Hai (亥), Mao (卯), and Wei (未) in the Earthly Branches, forming the Verdant Growth configuration, are destined for wealth and honor. If there is no Hai (亥) in the chart, it is beneficial to see Earth and Metal (to balance and utilize the pattern), naturally leading to a blessed life."
Another verse states: "For Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) Day Masters born in Yin (寅), Mao (卯), or Chen (辰) months (or with these branches present), both benevolence (Wood's virtue) and longevity are worth evaluating. If the Hai-Mao-Wei (亥卯未) Three Combinations Team is complete, one should avoid the western White Emperor (Metal) from attacking; if supported by the northern Kan position (Water), the body will surely prosper."
Case Analysis
Jia (甲) Yin (寅), Ding (丁) Mao (卯), Yi (乙) Mao (卯), Gui (癸) Wei (未)
In this chart, the Day Master is Yi (乙) Wood, born in Mao (卯) month, when Wood is in seasonal advantage. The Earthly Branches Yin (寅), Mao (卯), and Wei (未) form most of the Hai-Mao-Wei (亥卯未) Wood combination (lacking only Hai (亥)), resulting in extremely strong Wood energy. The Heavenly Stems Jia (甲) and Yi (乙) further reinforce the Wood party, while Gui (癸) Water (Mentor/Direct Resource) nourishes and supports the pattern, ensuring its purity. Ding (丁) Fire (Talent/Eating God) in the Hour Stem is somewhat weak, serving to channel the brilliance of Wood without disrupting the pattern. This is a truly pure Pattern of Benevolence and Longevity (曲直仁寿格). Thus, during Water and Wood luck cycles, the individual attains significant rank and honor.
FAQ
What is the Verdant Growth Pattern in Chinese metaphysics?
The Verdant Growth Pattern (曲直格) is a specialized chart configuration in Chinese metaphysics, emphasizing pure and powerful Wood energy. It centers on a Day Master of Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) Wood, born in spring, with the Four Pillars forming strong Wood combinations like Yin-Mao-Chen (寅卯辰) or Hai-Mao-Wei (亥卯未). This pattern signifies vitality, benevolence, and longevity, reflecting the nurturing qualities of Wood. Individuals with Verdant Growth Pattern often exhibit compassion, uprightness, and robust health. Its purity is determined by the absence of dominant Metal elements (Executives/Warlords) and the presence of supportive Water and Fire, which enhance wisdom and talent.
How to identify Verdant Growth Pattern in a Four Pillars chart?
To identify the Verdant Growth Pattern in a Four Pillars chart, first confirm the Day Master is Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) Wood. Check if the birth month is Yin (寅) or Mao (卯), signifying Wood’s seasonal advantage. Examine the Earthly Branches for strong Wood formations like Yin-Mao-Chen (寅卯辰) or Hai-Mao-Wei (亥卯未) teams. Ensure the chart is free from dominant Metal elements (Geng, Xin, Shen, You); if present, they must be weak or combined away. Favorable presence of Water and Fire elements further confirms and strengthens this pattern.
Why is the Verdant Growth Pattern considered beneficial for longevity and success?
The Verdant Growth Pattern is considered highly beneficial in Chinese metaphysics because it embodies abundant, harmonious Wood Qi, which is linked to vitality, health, and moral leadership. Individuals with this pattern tend to be compassionate, upright, and blessed with robust physical and mental well-being. When enhanced by Water and Fire elements, the pattern promotes wisdom, scholarly achievement, and literary talent. Its purity increases the potential for wealth, honor, and long life, making it one of the most auspicious chart configurations.
What elements are favorable for strengthening the Verdant Growth Pattern?
Favorable elements for strengthening the Verdant Growth Pattern include Water, Wood, and Fire. Water (Mentor/Direct Resource) nourishes Wood, boosting wisdom and blessings. Additional Wood (Peer/Friend, Rival/Rob Wealth) amplifies the chart’s strength, indicating support from allies. Fire (Talent/Eating God, Maverick/Hurting Officer) helps channel Wood’s brilliance, signifying creativity and talent. These elements, when present or encountered in luck cycles, enhance the vitality and prosperity of the Verdant Growth Pattern.
When does a Verdant Growth Pattern become flawed instead of perfect?
A Verdant Growth Pattern is considered flawed rather than perfect when the chart lacks complete purity, such as not being born in spring or having minor Metal elements (Executives/Warlords) present. Although the Wood configuration remains strong, imperfections mean that success depends more on supportive luck cycles to overcome hidden issues. The pattern’s potential is still significant, but its benefits may be delayed or diminished until conditions become more favorable for Wood energy to fully manifest.