BaZi Concepts

What Is the Day Master (Ri Zhu) in BaZi?

Also called: Ri Zhu, Rizhu, Day Stem, Ri Yuan

Plain Explanation

The Day Master is the Heavenly Stem in the upper position of the Day Pillar, also called the Day Stem or Ri Yuan. In BaZi analysis, it usually represents the person whose chart is being examined.

BaZi arranges the birth year, month, day, and hour as Four Pillars. The Stem–Branch pair representing the birth day is called the Day Pillar.

Example

When the Day Pillar is Jia–Zi (甲–子), Jia in the upper position is the Day Stem and therefore the Day Master in this example. Zi in the lower position is the Day Branch.

Day Pillar illustration

甲Jia

Heavenly Stem

Jia (甲) is the Day Stem and the Day Master in this example

Identify the Branch below

子Zi

Earthly Branch

Zi (子) is the Day Branch, not the Day Master

An illustration of the Day Pillar’s positions, not a complete birth chart.

What It Is Used For

The Day Master is the reference for identifying Ten-God relationships and examining its own strength. Once it has been identified, you can compare whether other Stems and Branches support it, receive support from it, or have a restraining relationship with it.

Common Misunderstandings

The Day Master is not the whole Day Pillar

The Day Master refers to the Heavenly Stem in the upper position of the Day Pillar. The Day Pillar also includes the Day Branch in the lower position.

Related Concepts

Four Pillars Heavenly Stems Earthly Branches Ten Gods Hidden Stems Rooting Month Command

Updated 2026-10-16 · Editorial Policy

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