Where our readings come from
Every paragraph in a Minglitang reading is grounded in classical fate-study literature. These are the four canonical texts we draw from.
BaZi practice is not occult — it is bibliographic. We publish the sources behind every reading so you can see, line by line, what's classical and what's modern interpretation.
渊海子平
Yuan Hai Zi Ping
Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE)
The foundation work of Zi Ping (Four Pillars) school — establishes Day Master as the axis, Ten Gods as the framework, Five-Element transformation as the engine.
Read more →
三命通会
San Ming Tong Hui
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE)
A Ming-dynasty encyclopaedia of fate studies compiled by Wan Min-ying — bringing together Zi Ping, Zi Wei, Five-Star, and Shen Sha traditions in twelve volumes. The 'Four Treasures' of fate study.
Read more →
穷通宝鉴
Qiong Tong Bao Jian
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 CE)
A Qing-dynasty treatise focused on seasonal adjustment — how the Day Master's needs shift across the twelve months, and what 'useful element' restores balance. The most refined treatment of seasonality in the BaZi corpus.
Read more →
滴天髓
Di Tian Sui
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE)
A short, dense advanced text on Five-Element dialectics — true vs. false strength, real vs. illusory presence. Known as 'the marrow of fate study'.
Read more →
On editions and translations
All classical text quoted on this site is public-domain Chinese (every work pre-dates 1929 by centuries). English glosses adapt the Wilhelm-Baynes and Legge translations — also public-domain — with modest modern polishing by our reviewing masters.
Guidance, not prophecy. For reflection, not decision.