BaZi Concepts
What Is the Annual Cycle (Liu Nian) in BaZi?
Also called: Liu Nian, Liunian
Plain Explanation
An Annual Cycle is the Stem–Branch pair of the year being examined in a BaZi analysis. It changes each year.
Example
Using Spring Commences (Li Chun) as the year boundary, the Annual Cycle is Jia (甲)–Chen (辰) after Li Chun in 2024 and changes to Yi (乙)–Si (巳) after Li Chun in 2025. Examining a year in the past or future also means examining an Annual Cycle.
What It Is Used For
Annual Cycles are used to examine how a year’s Stem and Branch interact with the birth chart and the 10-Year Cycle in effect at that time. For example, when examining a Jia (甲)–Chen (辰) year, consider the generation, control, punishments, clashes, meetings, and combinations involving Jia, Chen, and the existing Stems and Branches to analyze changes during that year.
Common Misunderstandings
An Annual Cycle is neither the birth Year Pillar nor a 10-Year Cycle
The birth Year Pillar records the BaZi year in which you were born and does not change with the current year. Annual Cycles change each year, while 10-Year Cycles change every ten years. They are different time scales.
The Annual Cycle does not change at January 1 or Chinese New Year here
This entry and ChiBuddy use Spring Commences (Li Chun) as the year boundary. Chinese New Year and January 1 are two other ways to mark the beginning of a year. Near the boundary, check the exact Solar Term transition time rather than relying only on the calendar date.
Related Concepts
Updated 2026-10-16 · Editorial Policy