BaZi Concepts
What Are the Three Meetings (San Hui) in BaZi?
Also called: San Hui, Directional Combinations, Seasonal Combinations
Plain Explanation
Three Meetings are groups of three Earthly Branches belonging to the same direction. In this dictionary, the term identifies four groups associated with Wood, Fire, Metal, and Water. “Three” counts the Branches in each group, not the number of groups. An elemental association does not establish transformation in a particular chart.
Example
Yin (寅), Mao (卯), and Chen (辰) belong to the eastern directional group associated with Wood. Shen (申), Zi (子), and Chen (辰) instead form the Water-associated Three Harmony Combination. Both include Chen, but they are different relationships. Identify the full membership before assessing strength and function in the chart.
A relationship-identification illustration, not a complete chart or a prediction.
The four directional groups and their associated elements
| Relationship | Complete Configurations |
|---|---|
| Three Meetings (San Hui, 三会) | Yin–Mao–Chen (寅–卯–辰), Wood; Si–Wu–Wei (巳–午–未), Fire; Shen–You–Xu (申–酉–戌), Metal; Hai–Zi–Chou (亥–子–丑), Water |
The table lists complete three-Branch groups. The element is an association, not an automatic transformation result, and a missing Branch is not treated as present.
How to Check
- 1
Identify the members rather than relying on the word “three”
The directional groups are Yin–Mao–Chen (寅–卯–辰), Si–Wu–Wei (巳–午–未), Shen–You–Xu (申–酉–戌), and Hai–Zi–Chou (亥–子–丑). Compare the actual Branches with San He groups rather than interchanging similar names.
- 2
State the comparison scope before assessing effects
Distinguish natal Branches from Branches introduced by cycles, then assess the season, strength, and other relationships. This table supplies neither a fixed strength score nor a rule that a named group automatically transforms.
What It Is Used For
Three Meetings explain directional Branch groupings and their elemental associations. Distinguishing them from Three Harmony Combinations and Six Combinations helps you identify the relationship before applying an interpretation.
Common Misunderstandings
Three Meetings are distinct from Three Harmony Combinations
This dictionary uses Three Meetings for directional groups such as Yin–Mao–Chen (寅–卯–辰), and Three Harmony Combinations for groups such as Shen–Zi–Chen (申–子–辰). Their members differ; the tables are not interchangeable.
An elemental association does not make the entire chart one element
Identifying the group is separate from judging actual strength, transformation, and favorability. A group name does not erase the other Stems and Branches or make a directional group automatically favorable.
Read the classical term hui in its own context
A passage in the classical text Zi Ping Zhen Quan calls Shen–Zi–Chen (申–子–辰) “Three Meetings,” while the commentator Xu Lewu calls it San He. This dictionary uses Three Meetings for the directional groups above. When reading an older text, check the members actually listed before assigning a modern category.
Related Concepts
Updated 2026-10-17 · Editorial Policy