BaZi Concepts
What Are the Ten Gods (Shi Shen) in BaZi?
Also called: Shi Shen
Plain Explanation
The Ten Gods are ten names for the relationships between other Heavenly Stems and the Day Master in BaZi. First identify their Five Elements relationship, then use yin-yang polarity to distinguish the specific name.
The Day Master is the Heavenly Stem of the Day Pillar and usually represents the person whose chart is being read. In the table, “same” or “opposite” yin-yang polarity compares only the properties of the two Stems.
Example
Take a Jia (甲) Wood Day Master and Gui (癸) Water. Water generates Wood, so Gui supports Jia. Jia is yang and Gui is yin. In the table, find the row “The other generates the Day Master,” then the column “Opposite polarity.”
| Relation to Day Master | Same Polarity | Opposite Polarity |
|---|---|---|
| Same element (peers) | Companion | Rob Wealth |
| The Day Master generates the other | Eating God | Hurting Officer |
| The Day Master controls the other | Indirect Wealth | Direct Wealth |
| The other controls the Day Master | Seven Killings | Direct Officer |
| The other generates the Day Master | Indirect Resource | Direct Resource |
With Jia (甲) as the Day Master, Gui (癸) is called Direct Resource.
What It Is Used For
The Ten Gods organize the relationships within a chart and provide a foundation for assessing Day Master strength and how Stems and Branches work together. For example, Direct Resource prompts you to examine how much support it provides; Direct Officer prompts you to examine its restraint on the Day Master and how other Stems and Branches participate.
Common Misunderstandings
Ten God Names Describe Relative Relationships
The same Heavenly Stem may have a different Ten God name relative to a different Day Master. It cannot be assigned one fixed Ten God name without a Day Master as the reference point.
A Branch’s Ten God Labels Depend on Its Hidden Stems
An Earthly Branch may contain several hidden Heavenly Stems, each with a different Ten God relationship to the Day Master. When reading a Branch’s Ten God label, check which hidden Stem it refers to.
Related Concepts
Updated 2026-10-16 · Editorial Policy