BaZi Concepts
What Are the Six Harms (Liu Hai) in BaZi?
Also called: Liu Hai, Earthly Branch Harms
Plain Explanation
The Six Harms are six fixed pairs of Earthly Branches known as harm relationships. The name identifies a type of Branch interaction; a matching pair alone does not establish that harm will occur.
Example
If the two Branches being compared are Zi (子) and Wei (未), the table identifies them as one of the Six Harms pairs. After recognizing the relationship, consider their positions, strength, and interactions with other Stems and Branches before assessing their role in a particular chart.
An illustration of Branch identification, not a complete chart or a conclusion about how two people will get along.
Six Harms reference table
| Earthly Branch | Harm Partner |
|---|---|
| Zi (子) | Wei (未) |
| Chou (丑) | Wu (午) |
| Yin (寅) | Si (巳) |
| Mao (卯) | Chen (辰) |
| Shen (申) | Hai (亥) |
| You (酉) | Xu (戌) |
The two Branches in each row form a pair; either column can be used to look up the other. This table identifies the relationship without determining favorability from the pair alone.
How to Check
- 1
Identify the Earthly Branches being compared
Earthly Branches occupy the lower positions of the Four Pillars. Whether comparing natal positions, a cycle with the natal chart, or two charts, state which positions are involved.
- 2
Check the fixed pairs
Find one Branch in the table and check whether the other is its harm partner. Harms, Clashes, and Punishments are distinct relationships; similar negative wording does not make them interchangeable.
- 3
Examine the surrounding relationships
A relationship name cannot replace whole-chart analysis. Consider which functions are involved, what other generation, control, or combination relationships participate, and how the chosen method assesses their effects.
What It Is Used For
The Six Harms help identify the Branch pairs mentioned in chart, cycle, and compatibility discussions. Establish which two Branches are involved and distinguish other relationships that may coexist before interpreting the conditions and conclusions of an analysis.
Common Misunderstandings
A harm is not a clash
The Six Harms and Six Clashes use different pairing tables. Do not transfer an explanation or conclusion about one relationship directly to the other.
A harm does not automatically break a pattern or establish incompatibility
In chart-pattern discussions, the commentator Xu Lewu says that a harm requires assessment in its particular context and does not necessarily break a pattern. In compatibility analysis, a single harm pair likewise does not establish that two people cannot get along.
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Updated 2026-10-16 · Editorial Policy