The Twelve Growth Phases
TWELVE GROWTH PHASES · STEM–BRANCH REFERENCE
KEY TAKEAWAYS / TL;DR
- ◈The Twelve Growth Phases label stem–branch relationships in traditional Bazi. Their lifecycle names are metaphors, not actual ages or physical conditions.
- ◈Choose a stem and branch before reading the table. This page retains five forward-moving Yang-stem rows, with Wu Earth following Bing Fire; Yin-stem and Earth conventions must be specified separately.
- ◈A phase does not determine whole-chart strength or fortune. Imperial Prosperity is not automatically favorable, and Death, Tomb, or Extinction do not establish illness, death, or unusable support.
THE 12 PHASES
Cháng Shēng (长生) — Birth
The starting point of the sequence, symbolizing emergence. It is not a birth date or proof of youth or creativity.
Mù Yù (沐浴) — Bathing
An image of bathing after birth. It does not establish emotional instability or a relationship condition.
Guān Dài (冠带) — Capping
An image of donning adult dress and taking form, not actual adulthood, status, or career advancement.
Lín Guān (临官) — Official Position
An image of taking a position. Support still depends on season, roots, and the full chart.
Dì Wàng (帝旺) — Imperial Prosperity
The sequence's image of flourishing, not proof of a strong Day Master or the best destiny.
Shuāi (衰) — Decline
An image of withdrawal after flourishing, not a measurement of declining physical ability.
Bìng (病) — Illness
A phase name using weakness as a metaphor, not a medical diagnosis or bodily failure.
Sǐ (死) — Death
A phase name, not death, danger, or the loss of all function. Roots and other relationships still require examination.
Mù (墓) — Tomb
Traditional containment imagery. A Tomb phase, hidden stems, and roots are distinct layers; it does not automatically mean sealed, unusable support or a need for a clash.
Jué (绝) — Extinction
An image of a prior stage ending, not proof of failure, hopelessness, or zero strength.
Tāi (胎) — Embryo
An image of gestation, not evidence of pregnancy, fertility, or a guaranteed opportunity.
Yǎng (养) — Nurturing
An image of nurturing and preparation before the sequence returns to Birth, not an inevitable personal timeline.
GROWTH PHASE MAP
Read branches Zi through Hai for five Yang stems, using forward progression and Wu Earth following Bing Fire: Birth is Hai for Jia, Yin for Bing/Wu, Si for Geng, and Shen for Ren. Illness, Death, and Tomb are relationship labels. Yin stems are not shown; do not reuse a Yang row for a Yin stem.
| Stem | Zǐ | Chǒu | Yín | Mǎo | Chén | Sì | Wǔ | Wèi | Shēn | Yǒu | Xū | Hài |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 甲 Wood+ | Bath | Cap | Office | Peak | Decline | Illness | Death | Tomb | Extinct | Embryo | Nurture | Birth |
| 丙 Fire+ | Embryo | Nurture | Birth | Bath | Cap | Office | Peak | Decline | Illness | Death | Tomb | Extinct |
| 戊 Earth+ | Embryo | Nurture | Birth | Bath | Cap | Office | Peak | Decline | Illness | Death | Tomb | Extinct |
| 庚 Metal+ | Death | Tomb | Extinct | Embryo | Nurture | Birth | Bath | Cap | Office | Peak | Decline | Illness |
| 壬 Water+ | Peak | Decline | Illness | Death | Tomb | Extinct | Embryo | Nurture | Birth | Bath | Cap | Office |
APPLICATIONS IN BAZI
Separate lookup from strength
A phase answers which label a stem has at a branch. Whole-chart strength also needs the month command, exposed and hidden stems, roots, and interactions. One Imperial Prosperity or Tomb label cannot settle strength.
Tomb phases and storehouses
Ziping Zhenquan's Yin–Yang Life and Death chapter discusses stem–branch phase relationships; its Tomb-and-Clash chapter rejects seeking clashes whenever a storehouse appears. A Tomb label does not automatically cancel roots, and a clash does not guarantee released wealth.
Luck and annual pillars
Look up the Day Stem against a luck or annual branch and compare the phase labels, then examine the natal relationships. Birth and Imperial Prosperity do not guarantee opportunities; Death and Extinction do not justify retreating from real plans.
Sources and convention: Ziping Zhenquan, Yin–Yang Life and Death and Tombs and Clashes. The retained table uses five Yang stems with Wu following Bing. These traditional labels are not health, wealth, or major-decision evidence.
Life and Death source · Tombs and Clashes source · Tomb and Storage guide