Riding the Current (壬骑龙背)
Riding the Current (壬骑龙背) is a unique hidden pattern within Bazi, named for the Ren (壬) Water sitting atop the Chen (辰) Loong. The Ren Chen Day is also known as a Dipper's Will (魁罡) day, naturally carrying an aura of authority and power. At its core, this pattern leverages the potent energy of the Earthly Branches to secretly break through or transform the official (官) and wealth (财) elements needed by the Day Master, thereby attaining nobility and success. Classical texts often explain this pattern through the theory of "hidden clash," while modern practitioners may interpret it through the lens of standard patterns—such as Talent Tames Warlord (食神制杀)—to understand its inner workings. As the "Treatise on Favor and Aversion" states: “When Yang Water repeatedly meets the Chen position, it is the homeland of Riding the Current.”
How to Identify
This pattern is centered on the Ren Chen Day. Depending on the number of Chen (辰) and Yin (寅) characters in the chart, it divides into two main forms: "Many Chen for Nobility" and "Many Yin for Wealth." In both cases, it is unfavorable for the wealth and official (Fire and Earth) elements to be overtly present in the chart.
The explanations are as follows:
- Many Chen for Nobility (冲官格, Official Clash Pattern): With Ren Chen Day as the core, multiple Chen (辰) appear among the four Earthly Branches. The classical principle relies on the collective strength of the Chen to secretly break open the opposing Xu (戌) storage, thereby extracting the hidden Wu (戊, Executive/Direct Officer) and Ding (丁, Earner/Direct Wealth). If a Yin (寅) is also present, it can remotely combine with the Xu storage, locking in the noble energy and further elevating the pattern.
- Many Yin for Wealth (Talent Pattern, 食神格): Centered on Ren (壬) Day (not limited to Ren Chen Day), multiple Yin (寅) appear among the four Earthly Branches. Here, Yin is the Talent (Eating God, 食神) for Ren. When many Yin gather, the Talent becomes powerful, able to generate wealth and express brilliance, indicating the ability to amass great fortune through talent and skill.
Pattern Significance
Those whose charts fall under the Riding the Current (壬骑龙背) pattern are marked by extraordinary drive, intelligence, and the ability to create opportunities in adversity. "Riding the Loong" itself symbolizes mastery and control, so the Day Master often turns challenges (with Chen as the Warlord/Seven Killings, 七杀) into opportunities. When Chen is abundant, the Warlord (七杀) nature is pronounced; if properly tamed or transformed, it bestows authority, strategic acumen, and management talent—ideal for military or leadership roles, bringing great honor. When Yin is abundant, the Talent (食神) quality stands out, signifying intelligence, creativity, artistic gifts, and business acumen—leading to immense wealth. From a standard pattern perspective, many Chen paired with Yin forms Talent Tames Warlord (食神制杀), representing the use of wisdom to harness power. Many Yin with a rooted Day Master indicates Wit to Wealth (食伤生财) or Genius Unbound (食伤泄秀), using talent to pursue fortune. The downside is that this pattern is powerful—if not properly balanced or configured, those with many Chen may become domineering or reckless, attracting legal trouble; those with many Yin but a weak Day Master may become overly drained, prone to illness, or possess talent without the strength to realize wealth.
Pattern Preferences and Taboos
Preferences:
- Strong and Rooted Day Master: Whether clashing officials, taming the Warlord, or utilizing Talent, the Ren (壬) Day Master must have deep roots (such as support from Metal or Water), to command the entire chart. Without this, one cannot bear the weight of nobility or wealth.
- Chen Abundant with Yin: In the "Many Chen for Nobility" form, pairing the chart with a Yin Wood Talent (食神) creates a powerful Talent Tames Warlord (食神制杀) combination, which is key to the pattern's purity.
- Metal and Water Support: Favorable to see Geng (庚), Shen (申), Xin (辛), You (酉) (Mentor/Direct Resource and Mystic/Indirect Resource), or Ren (壬), Zi (子), Gui (癸), Hai (亥) (Peer/Friend and Rival/Rob Wealth), to generate or assist the Day Master, enhancing the capacity to shoulder wealth and official responsibilities.
Taboos:
- Exposure of Wealth and Official: This is the primary taboo. If Wu (戊), Ji (己), Xu (戌), Ding (丁), Wu (午), or Si (巳) (Fire and Earth, representing wealth and official) appear in the chart or luck cycles, it "fills the storage," destroying the premise of hidden clash or talent expression, thus breaking the pattern.
- Punishments, Clashes, and Harm: Avoid Xu (戌) directly clashing with Chen storage, or Shen (申) clashing with Yin Wood, as both undermine the pattern's foundation, causing instability and missed opportunities.
- Northern Water Luck: Unfavorable to enter northern Hai (亥) and Zi (子) Water luck cycles. Hai and Zi combine with Chen, risking excessive Water that washes away the Wu (戊) Earth within Chen, damaging the noble official energy, or turning the pattern into the overflowing Endless River Pattern (润下格).
Classical Texts
From "San Ming Tong Hui" (三命通会)
《喜忌篇》云：“阳水迭逢辰位，是壬骑龙背之乡。”此格以壬日坐辰，壬以丁为财，己为官。壬用支辰暗冲戌中丁、戊，壬日得财官之贵；柱中须辰多方能冲起，再得一寅字合住财官为妙，不宜财官显露。喜行身旺及伤官、食神运，忌南方财官之地。柱有丁巳午戌，只作财官论。若壬日坐寅，柱中辰多，亦取此格。以壬食甲、甲合己为壬官，甲生丁为壬财，辰能冲戌，寅以合之为贵。若壬辰日，年月时皆寅午火局，财生旺得地，财多不清，只为富命。
又曰：“壬辰日取辰多，暗冲起戌中火土金，为财官印三奇。”若三辰一寅为冲合贵气，有力；若壬辰日年月时皆寅，力轻。却用寅中甲木为食生财，故主富。柱中宜见丑未为贵，大怕己官、戊杀、乙伤、丁合不入格，纵辰多亦减分数，忌北方亥子运。
又曰：“壬辰为魁罡日，宜身旺，怕见财官，休否以运参详。”若柱中全见申子，当以润下格论。运戊己辰戌又冲，岁运并临，吉中反祸，此为骑龙走冲，不成格也。如刘成文甲子举人，己丑、戊辰、壬辰、庚子，戊辰年乙卯月死，正是己官煞太旺，克壬为凶。
《独步》云：“壬奇龙背，见戌无情。寅多则富，辰多则荣。”《景鉴赋》云：“壬奇龙背，喜寅辰二字相怡，忌戊己巳午火为迍。寅多者，钱满粟腐；纯粹者，群播朝廷。”《相心赋》云：“壬奇龙背逢丁破，欲比申枨。”《妖祥赋》云：“阳水逢辰见戊己，灾临难避。”《千里马》云：“壬日壬时叠寅辰，高节承恩登御阁。”《宝鉴赋》云：“石崇豪富，柱中多寅。”《秘诀》云：“壬奇龙背，五行偏喜、寅辰。”
诗曰：“壬辰日诞号骑龙，飞出官星在对冲。四柱辰多官爵显，寅多却作富家翁。” 又：“阳水多逢辰字乡，壬骑龙背贵非常。柱中俱有寅辰字，富贵双全在庙堂。” 又：“壬骑龙背喜非常，辰多寅字转发扬。大忌官星来破格，灾刑须见寿元伤。” 又：“壬寅不及壬辰日，四柱壬辰字要多。辰字多兮官职重，寅多可比石崇过。” 又：“壬奇龙背喜非常，阳水重重绕郑邦。辰向戌中冲秀气，戌来午上到官乡， 龙如叠见封官爵，虎若重逢满库仓。上下三合全水局，富贵双全迥异常。” 《鹧鸪天》：“阳水叠逢最吉祥，柱无戊己坐朝堂。辰冲戌内财官贵，柱有富合方是强。檠玉简，受金章，澄清四海镇边疆。尊贤容众修天德，烈烈威名遍八方。”
如孙丕扬都宪：壬辰、甲辰、壬寅、庚子，是此格也。
Explanation:
The "Treatise on Favor and Aversion" states: “Yang Water (Ren, 壬) repeatedly meets the Chen position—this is the homeland of Riding the Current.” This pattern is defined by the Ren Day Master sitting atop Chen. For Ren, Ding (丁) is Earner (Direct Wealth), Ji (己) is Executive (Direct Officer). Ren uses the Chen Earthly Branch to secretly clash with the Ding and Wu (戊) hidden within Xu (戌), allowing the Ren Day Master to obtain the noble energy of wealth and official. There must be multiple Chen in the Four Pillars to activate the clash; if a Yin is also present to combine with the wealth and official, it is even more auspicious. It is not desirable for the wealth and official stars to be directly exposed. Favorable luck cycles are those that strengthen the Day Master or bring Talent (Eating God) and Maverick (Hurting Officer); southern Fire and Earth (wealth and official) are to be avoided. If Ding, Si, Wu, or Xu appear in the chart, it is treated as a regular wealth and official pattern. If it is Ren Yin Day but the chart contains many Chen, this pattern can also be considered. For Ren, Jia (甲) Wood is Talent (Eating God); Jia can combine with Ji (己) to form the Executive (Direct Officer) for Ren, and Jia generates Ding, which is wealth for Ren. Chen can clash with Xu, and Yin can combine with the clashed Xu, which is considered noble. If it is Ren Chen Day but the year, month, and hour pillars all form a Yin-Wu (Xu) Fire structure, then the wealth star is dominant and prosperous, but the wealth is not pure—such a chart is simply considered wealthy.
Another view: “Ren Chen Day is best when there are many Chen, which can secretly clash with the Fire (wealth), Earth (official), and Metal (resource) hidden in Xu, forming the three wonders of wealth, official, and resource.” If there are three Chen and one Yin, the clash and combination are powerful and noble; if Ren Chen Day with year, month, and hour all as Yin, the force is weak, so the chart relies on the Jia Wood Talent within Yin to generate wealth, thus indicating affluence. It is auspicious to see Chou (丑) and Wei (未) (Heavenly Benefactor); most feared are Ji (己, Executive), Wu (戊, Warlord/Seven Killings), Yi (乙, Maverick/Hurting Officer), and Ding (丁, Earner) appearing, as these break the pattern—even with many Chen, the score is reduced. Avoid northern Hai (亥) and Zi (子) luck cycles.
Another perspective: “Ren Chen is a Dipper's Will (魁罡) day, best when the Day Master is strong, but fears the exposure of wealth and official; the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness must be judged with reference to the luck cycles.” If the chart is full of Shen (申) and Zi (子), it should be treated as the Endless River Pattern (润下格). If luck cycles bring Wu (戊), Ji (己), Chen (辰), or Xu (戌), causing further clashes, and these coincide with annual luck, blessings may turn to misfortune—this is called "riding the Loong and rushing into clashes," and the pattern is not established. For example, Liu Chengwen, a successful candidate in the Jiazi imperial examination, had the Bazi: Ji Chou (己丑), Wu Chen (戊辰), Ren Chen (壬辰), Geng Zi (庚子). He died in the Wu Chen year, Yi Mao month, precisely because the Ji Executive and Wu Warlord were too strong, overwhelming Ren Water—thus, it was inauspicious.
"Du Bu" states: “Riding the Current, if Xu appears to fill the storage, there is no affection. Many Yin brings wealth, many Chen brings honor.” "Jing Jian Fu" says: “Riding the Current, it is auspicious to see both Yin and Chen; avoid Wu, Ji, Si, Wu (Fire and Earth) as they bring adversity. Many Yin means grain rots in abundance; a pure pattern brings fame to the court.” "Xiang Xin Fu" says: “Riding the Current is broken when Ding appears.” "Yao Xiang Fu" says: “Yang Water meets Chen and sees Wu and Ji—disaster is hard to avoid.” "Qianli Ma" says: “Ren Day, Ren Hour, with repeated Yin and Chen—high integrity, honored by the emperor.” "Bao Jian Fu" says: “The ancient magnate Shi Chong was wealthy because his chart had many Yin.” "Mi Jue" says: “Riding the Current, the Five Elements especially favor Yin and Chen.”
Poetry says: “Born on Ren Chen Day, called Riding the Loong, flying out to clash with the official star. Many Chen in the Four Pillars brings high rank; many Yin brings great wealth.” Another: “Yang Water often meets Chen—this is Riding the Current, of exceptional nobility. If both Yin and Chen are present, one attains both wealth and honor in the court.” Another: “Riding the Current is greatly favored; many Chen with Yin further enhance it. The greatest taboo is the official star breaking the pattern—disaster and injury will follow, even harming longevity.” Another: “Ren Yin Day is not as good as Ren Chen Day; the Four Pillars should have many Chen. More Chen means higher office; more Yin can rival Shi Chong in wealth.” Another: “Riding the Current is greatly favored, Yang Water encircling the land. Chen clashes with Xu to release talent, Xu brings Wu to the official realm. If Loong (Chen) appears repeatedly, one is granted rank; if Tiger (Yin) appears repeatedly, the granaries overflow. If the Three Combinations Team (申子辰) forms a complete Water structure, both wealth and honor are truly exceptional.”
From the poem "Zhe Gu Tian": “Yang Water in repetition is most auspicious; if there is no Wu or Ji in the pillars, one sits in the court. Chen clashes with Xu, bringing wealth and nobility; if Yin is present to combine with wealth, strength is assured. Holding the jade tablet, receiving the golden seal, bringing clarity to the four seas and guarding the borders. Honoring the virtuous, embracing the masses, cultivating heavenly virtue, and spreading a mighty reputation far and wide.”
For example, the chart of the Censor Sun Piyang: Ren Chen, Jia Chen, Ren Yin, Geng Zi—this is the Riding the Current pattern.
FAQ
What is the Riding the Current pattern in Bazi astrology?
Riding the Current (壬骑龙背) is a hidden Bazi pattern centered on the Ren Chen Day, where Ren (壬) Water sits atop Chen (辰) Loong. This unique structure leverages the power of Earthly Branches to secretly break through or transform official (官) and wealth (财) elements, granting the Day Master authority, nobility, and success. Classical texts describe it through the theory of hidden clash, while modern practitioners interpret it via standard patterns like Talent Tames Warlord (食神制杀). Charts with this pattern are associated with leadership, intelligence, and the ability to turn adversity into opportunity.
How to identify the Riding the Current pattern in a Bazi chart?
To identify the Riding the Current pattern in Bazi, start by checking if Ren Chen Day is present. Next, count the number of Chen (辰) and Yin (寅) characters in the chart. If multiple Chen appear, it forms "Many Chen for Nobility"; if multiple Yin are present, it becomes "Many Yin for Wealth." Both forms are strongest when Fire and Earth elements (representing wealth and official positions) are not overtly present. Accurate identification requires understanding the interplay of the Day Master, Chen, and Yin within the four Earthly Branches.
Why is Riding the Current pattern significant for career and success?
The Riding the Current pattern in Bazi astrology is significant because it bestows extraordinary drive, authority, and strategic acumen on the Day Master. With abundant Chen, individuals can tame the Warlord (七杀), making them well-suited for military, management, or leadership roles. When Yin is abundant, the pattern highlights intelligence, creativity, and business skill, leading to potential wealth. Overall, this pattern enables individuals to transform challenges into opportunities, making it highly beneficial for career advancement and personal success.
What are the preferences and taboos for Riding the Current pattern in Bazi?
For optimal results with the Riding the Current pattern, the Ren (壬) Day Master should be strong and rooted, ideally supported by Metal or Water elements. In the "Many Chen for Nobility" form, pairing Chen with Yin Wood Talent (食神) enhances the Talent Tames Warlord (食神制杀) effect. Taboos include overt presence of Fire and Earth elements, which can disrupt the pattern, and a weak or unsupported Day Master, which may lead to imbalance or missed potential for nobility and wealth.
When does Riding the Current pattern lead to negative outcomes in Bazi readings?
Riding the Current pattern can lead to negative outcomes in Bazi readings if not properly balanced. When many Chen are present without proper taming, individuals may become domineering, reckless, or attract legal trouble due to excessive Warlord energy. If many Yin appear but the Day Master is weak, the person may suffer from exhaustion, illness, or have talent without the strength to achieve wealth. Proper configuration and elemental support are crucial to prevent these adverse effects and ensure the pattern’s benefits.