On the Combinations of the Ten Heavenly Stems
Original Text
夫合者，乃和谐之义，如阳见阳，二阳相竞则为克，阴见阴，二阴不足则为克，唯阴见阳，阳见阴为合，亦如男女相合而成夫妇之道。
东方甲乙木畏西方庚辛金克。甲属阳为兄，乙属阴为妹，甲兄遂将乙妹嫁金家，与庚为妻，所以乙与庚合。
南方丙丁火畏北方壬癸水克。丙属阳为兄，丁属阴为妹，丙兄遂将丁妹嫁水家，与壬为妻，所以丁与壬合。
中央戊己土畏东方甲乙木克。戊属阳为兄，己属阴为妹，戊兄遂将己妹嫁木家，与甲为妻，所以甲与己合。
西方庚辛金畏南方丙丁火克。庚属阳为兄，辛属阴为妹，庚兄乃将辛妹嫁火家，与丙为妻，所以丙与辛合。
北方壬癸水畏中央戊己土克。壬阳为兄，癸属阴为妹，壬兄乃将癸妹嫁土家，与戊为妻，所以戊与癸合。
甲与己何名为中正之合？甲，阳木也，其性仁，位处十干之首，己，阴土也，镇静淳笃，有生物之德，故甲己为中正之合。带此合主人尊崇重大，宽厚平直。如带煞而五行无气则多嗔好怒，性梗不可屈。
乙与庚何名为仁义之合？乙，阴木也，其性仁而太柔，庚，阳金也，坚强不屈则刚柔相济，仁义兼资。故主人果敢有守，不惑柔佞，周旋唯仁，进退唯义。五行生旺则骨秀形清，若死绝带煞则使气好勇，体貌不扬，自是非人。甲己、乙庚之合，妇人不忌。
丙与辛何名为威制之合？丙，阳火也，辉赫自盛，辛，阴金也，克刃喜煞。故丙辛为威制之合。主人仪表威肃，人多畏惧，酷毒，好贿喜淫，若带煞或五行死绝则寡恩少义，无情之人。妇人得之，与天中、大耗、咸池相并者，貌美声卑，夭冶而淫。
丁与壬何名为淫慝之合？壬者，纯阴之水，三光不照，丁者，藏阴之火，自昧不明。故丁壬为淫慝之合。主人眼明神娇，多情易动，不事高洁，习下无去，枕欢溺色，于我则吝，于彼则贪，若五行死绝或带煞，见咸池、大耗、天中自败，有淫污家风之丑；亲厚小人，侮慢君子，贪婪妄作，必胜而后已。妇人淫邪奸慝，易挑易诱，多招玷辱，或年高而嫁少夫，或年幼而配老夫，或先贱而后良，或先良而后贱。
戊与癸何名为无情之合？戊，阳土也，是老丑之夫，癸，阴水也，是婆娑之妇，老阳而少阴，虽合而无情，主人或好或丑，如戊得癸则娇媚，姿美得所，男子娶少妇，妇人嫁美夫；若癸得戊则形容古朴，老相俗尘，男子娶老妻，妇人嫁老夫。
Interpretation
Harmony, in essence, represents the meaning of concord. For example, when yang encounters yang, the competition between the two yang forces results in conflict; when yin meets yin, the insufficiency of the two yin forces also leads to conflict. Only when yin meets yang or yang meets yin can there be harmony. It is just like a man and a woman coming together to form the way of husband - wife relationship.
In the East, the Wood of Jia and Yi is afraid of being overcome by the Metal of Geng and Xin in the West. Jia belongs to Yang and is like an elder brother, while Yi belongs to Yin and is like a younger sister. The elder brother Jia then marries his younger sister Yi into the Metal family and makes her the wife of Geng. Therefore, Yi combines with Geng.
In the south, the Fire of Bing and Ding is afraid of being overcome by the Water of Ren and Gui in the north. Bing is of the Yang nature and is like an elder brother, while Ding is of the Yin nature and is like a younger sister. So, the elder brother Bing marries his younger sister Ding into the Water family, making her the wife of Ren. Therefore, Ding combines with Ren.
In the theory of the Five - Elements, the Earth element (represented by Wu and Ji in the central position) is afraid of being overcome by the Wood element (represented by Jia and Yi in the eastern position). Wu is of the Yang nature and can be regarded as an elder brother, while Ji is of the Yin nature and can be seen as a younger sister. The elder brother Wu then marries his younger sister Ji into the Wood family, making her the wife of Jia. Therefore, Jia and Ji are in harmony.
In the Five - Element theory, the metal element (associated with the west, represented by Geng and Xin) is afraid of being overcome by the fire element (associated with the south, represented by Bing and Ding). Geng is of the yang nature and is like an elder brother, while Xin is of the yin nature and is like a younger sister. The elder brother Geng marries his younger sister Xin into the fire family, making her the wife of Bing. Therefore, Bing and Xin are in harmony.
In the north, the Water associated with Ren and Gui in the Five - Element theory fears being overcome by the Earth of Wu and Ji in the central direction. Ren, being of the Yang nature, is like an elder brother, while Gui, of the Yin nature, is like a younger sister. The elder brother Ren marries his younger sister Gui into the Earth family, making her the wife of Wu. Therefore, Wu and Gui form a combination.
Why is the combination of Jia and Ji called the combination of righteousness and propriety? Jia represents the yang wood. Its nature is benevolent, and it ranks first among the ten Heavenly Stems. Ji represents the yin earth, which is calm, sincere and honest, and has the virtue of nurturing all things. Therefore, the combination of Jia and Ji is called the combination of righteousness and propriety. Those with this combination are usually respected and significant, generous and straightforward. However, if this combination is accompanied by inauspicious signs and the five - elements lack vitality, the person will often be irritable and hot - tempered, with an inflexible personality.
Why is the combination of Yi and Geng regarded as the combination of benevolence and righteousness? Yi represents Yin Wood. Its nature is benevolent but overly gentle. Geng represents Yang Metal, which is firm and unyielding. Thus, the combination of softness and firmness, and the integration of benevolence and righteousness are achieved. Therefore, it indicates that the person is resolute and perseverant, not easily influenced by flattery, always acts with benevolence in social interactions and adheres to righteousness in decisions. When the Five - Elements are in a prosperous state, the person will have a delicate bone structure and a refined appearance. However, if they are in a state of decline and accompanied by inauspicious signs, the person will be hot - tempered and fond of showing off courage, with an unimpressive appearance, and often judge others self - righteously. For the combinations of Jia and Ji, and Yi and Geng, there is no taboo for women.
Why is the combination of Bing and Xin called the combination of awe - coercion? Bing represents yang fire, which is resplendent and self - imposing. Xin represents yin metal, which is sharp and favors the influence of inauspicious forces. Therefore, the combination of Bing and Xin is called the combination of awe - coercion. People with this combination usually have a solemn and imposing appearance, which makes others afraid of them. They are cruel and venomous, fond of bribes and prone to promiscuity. If they are accompanied by inauspicious signs or their five - element attributes are in a state of death or decline, they will be ungrateful and heartless. For women with this combination, when it is combined with Tianzhong, Dahao, and Xianchi, they are beautiful with a soft voice, charming but promiscuous.
Why is the combination of Ding and Ren regarded as an immoral and lewd one? Ren represents the pure - yin water that is not illuminated by the sun, moon, and stars. Ding represents the hidden - yin fire that is self - obscured and unclear. Therefore, the combination of Ding and Ren is considered an immoral and lewd one. People with this combination have bright eyes and charming looks. They are sentimental and easily aroused, not inclined to lofty and noble pursuits, and are used to base and vulgar behaviors. They are indulged in sexual pleasures and obsessed with beauty. They are stingy towards themselves but greedy towards others. If the five elements are in a state of death or extinction or accompanied by evil stars, and they encounter the Salt Pool, the Great Loss, and the Self - Defeat in the Heavenly Center, there will be the disgrace of immoral family conduct. They befriend petty people, show disrespect to noble gentlemen, are greedy and act recklessly, and will not stop until they achieve victory. Women with this combination are lewd, evil, and easy to be tempted. They often bring disgrace to themselves. Some may marry a younger husband when they are old, some may be matched with an old husband when they are young, some may start with a low - status life and then become well - off, while others may start well and then fall into a low - status situation.
Why is the combination of Wu and Gui called the combination without affection? Wu represents yang earth. It symbolizes an old and ugly man. Gui represents yin water, symbolizing a charming woman. The combination of old yang and young yin lacks affection even though they are combined. It indicates that the person may be either good - looking or ugly. For example, when Wu meets Gui, it shows charm and good looks. A man may marry a young wife, and a woman may marry a handsome husband. If Gui meets Wu, it implies a simple and plain appearance, looking old - fashioned and vulgar. A man may marry an old wife, and a woman may marry an old husband.