On the Seal and Ribbon
Original Text
印绶者，乃五行生我之名。如甲乙在亥子月，丙丁在寅卯月之类，乃我气之源，为生气，为父母，能护我官星，使无伤克，譬人生得物相助相养，受现成之福，岂不为妙？此格主聪明，多智慧，性慈惠，语善良，迟讷体，貌丰厚，能饮食，平生少病，不逢凶横，但吝财耳，为官多为正官，受宣敕不拘文武，皆掌印信，喜官星，以官能生印。经云：印赖官生。又云：有官无印，即非真官，有印有官，方成厚福是也。忌财星，以财能破印。经云：印绶生月岁时，忌见财星，运入财乡，却宜退身避位是也。岁运同论，印绶不逢损伤，多受父母倚荫，资财见成，安享富贵，诸命相比，当以印绶多者为上，月最要，日时次之，年乾虽重，须归禄月日时，方可取用，若年露印，月日时无，亦不济事。四柱元有官星为妙，若印绶少，官鬼多，或入他格，又不可专言印绶，若印绶复遇拱禄、专禄、归禄、鼠贵、夹贵、时贵等格，尤为奇特，但主少子或无子，印绶多者清孤。凡印绶，喜七煞，但煞不可太多，多则伤身。原无七煞，行运遇之则发；原有七煞，行财运，或印绶死绝，或临墓地，皆凶。经云：煞能生印，畏行财乡，破印助鬼，决主不详。凡格喜身旺，惟印绶喜生弱，若元局带财伤印，运行比劫身旺，亦能发福，无则不宜，如无官煞财神，又行身旺，主平常。
《渊源论》：印绶，如甲日遇子月为正印，亥月为偏印，最喜逢天月德，子天德在巽，月德在壬，亥天德在乙，月德在甲，时要见酉辛正官为妙，或申庚七煞，却要见比劫助身，合煞为贵，畏戊己财星损印，忌丙丁食伤生财破印；乙逢亥子月，喜忌与甲同。丙日逢卯月正印，天德在坤，月德在甲，寅月偏印，天德在丁，月德在丙，喜见子癸正官，或壬亥七煞，却要比劫助身合煞，畏申庚酉辛财星损印，忌戊己食伤生财破印；丁逢寅卯月，喜忌与丙同。戊日逢午月正印，天德在亥，月德在丙，巳月偏印，天德在辛，月德在庚，喜逢卯乙正官，寅甲七煞，见煞却宜比劫助身合煞，忌见壬癸之财坏印，申庚辛食伤生财破印；己生巳午月，喜忌与戊同。庚日生午月正印，天德在乾，月德在丙，巳月偏印，天德在辛，月德在庚，喜见午丁官星，巳丙七煞，见煞却宜比劫助身合煞，忌甲乙寅卯旺财坏印，壬癸伤食，午财破印；辛生巳午月，喜忌与庚同。壬日生酉月正印，天德在寅，月德在庚，申月偏印，天德在癸，月德在壬，喜时逢巳午正官或己戊七煞，却宜见比劫助身合煞，忌丙丁旺财坏印，甲乙食伤，午财破印；癸生申酉月，喜忌与壬同。
经云：官刑不犯，印绶与天德同宫。又曰：素食慈心，印绶喜逢于天德。如孟重都宪：乙亥、丁亥、乙丑、丙戌，是印绶与天德同宫。一命甲寅、丙寅、丙寅、丁酉，是天德在丁，月德在丙，印绶在寅。一命庚申、庚辰、庚子、壬午，是天德月德俱在壬，印绶在辰是也。此格大要生旺，最忌死绝。如果乙见亥子为印，见金成其仁义生养，印元见土则混杂其格，运行西北，官印为福，若时引归卯辰巳地，或运行此地，财印归死绝，流年再遇财克印，决入黄泉无疑。印绶合格，行大运最忌印绶变合，遇地支三合，或变为伤局，或变成财局，或变成煞局，最为不吉。
赋云：金赖土生，土厚而金遭埋没。木从水养，水盛而木必漂流。火炎土燥，则不能生物如己日得午之类。刚金不能生水如庚日得戌之类。旺土见旺火，逢此必主眼疾痈疽热病。粪土不能生金，燥金不能生水，绝水不能生木，遇此宜详看，不可一概印绶论。若水得金生而逢秋，乃水清金白，秀丽堪夸，一水三金，号曰体全之象。火得木生而值春，为木秀火明，发焰红绿，见金则伤其木，灭火之焰。是金木二印，多者俱作吉论。若火印多者火燥土烈，浮水印多者水泛木浮，土印多者土重金埋，皆不为吉。
又云：甲日子月，忌己巳时，怕午冲。乙日亥月，忌戊辰时，怕巳冲。丙日卯月，忌辛卯时，怕酉冲。寅月忌庚寅时，怕申冲。丁日寅月，忌庚子时，怕申冲。卯月忌辛丑时，怕酉冲。戊日午月，忌癸卯时，怕子冲。己日巳月，怕壬子、壬戌时，忌亥冲。庚日午月，忌己卯、乙酉时，怕子冲。巳月忌戊寅时，怕亥冲。辛日巳月，忌庚寅、甲午时，怕亥冲。午月忌辛卯、乙未时，怕子冲。壬日酉月，忌丁未时，怕卯冲，申月忌丙午时，怕寅冲。酉月忌丁巳时怕卯冲。以上日乾，皆喜见比肩疏通，忌见食伤销印生财，犯此，物运又临身印衰乡财旺之地，必然贪财坏印，剥官退职。
经云：印绶、财星重见，百事难通。又云：月印纯粹，无财星，主文章中黄甲。又曰：身旺印多，财运无妨，身弱有印，煞运何伤！又曰：印绶有根，喜遇财星，印绶无根，忌见财曜，官星者，印绶之根也，印绶有官有财，则财生官，官生印，印生身，身克财则荣贵，故不忌。又云：印绶有根，逢财则发，逢官则显，逢合则晦，逢冲则灾。《通明赋》云：财印交错，论其气禀之轻重，倘若财轻而印气重，舍财取印，其贵可知；倘若印气轻而财气重，舍印取财，虽有背禄，支干重旺，反作资财。《宝鉴》云：印绶财伤，母年早丧。《奥旨》云：印绶被伤，失宗业，抛离故里。《络绎赋》云：印临子位，受子之荣。《千里马》云：逢印看官，而遇官十有七贵。《造微论》云：印绶逢华，尊居翰苑。《万祺赋》云：正印见财则凶，逢官则吉，有官无印，纵富贵而伤残；有印无官，纵荣华而有失。四柱愁逢死绝，三元喜见长生。
古诗云：
命逢印绶福非轻，年少从容享见成，旺相印多偏福厚，受恩承荫立功名。
又：
月逢印绶喜官星，运入官乡福必清，死绝运临身不利，再行财运百无成。
又：
印绶无亏享福全，为官承荫有田园，官膺宣敕盈财谷，日用盘餐费万钱。
又：
重重印绶格清奇，更要支中仔细推，支上咸池干带合，风流浪荡破家儿。
又：
印绶重重享见成，食神只恐暗相刑，早年若不归泉路，孤苦离乡宿疾萦。
又：
印绶不宜身太旺，总然无事也平常，除非原命多官煞，却有声名作栋梁。
又：
印绶生人旺气纯，官煞多遇转精神，印行死绝并财地，无救终为泉下人。
合诸说，观印绶喜忌见矣。
Interpretation
The seal and ribbon represent the name of the five - element that gives birth to oneself. For example, for the stems Jia and Yi in the months of Hai and Zi, and Bing and Ding in the months of Yin and Mao, etc. They are the source of one's qi, the vital qi, and represent one's parents. They can protect one's official star and prevent it from being damaged or overcome. It is like a person getting things to assist and nourish, enjoying ready - made blessings. Isn't it wonderful? People with this pattern are generally intelligent, full of wisdom, kind - hearted, and speak gently. They are a bit slow - witted, with a plump appearance, good appetites, and are usually in good health with few illnesses and no bad luck. However, they are stingy with money. When they hold official positions, they are mostly in regular official posts. Whether in civil or military positions, they are in charge of official seals. They like the official star because the official star can give birth to the seal. As the classic says: "The seal relies on the official star to be born." Also, "Without a seal, an official is not a true official; with both a seal and an official, great blessings can be achieved." They dislike the wealth star because the wealth star can break the seal. As the classic says: "When the seal is in the month, year, or hour, avoid the wealth star. When the fortune enters the wealth sector, one should retreat and avoid the position." The same principle applies to the annual fortune. If the seal is not damaged, one can receive a lot of support from parents, have ready - made assets, and enjoy wealth and honor. Among all the fates, those with more seals are the best. The month is the most important, followed by the day and hour. Although the heavenly stem of the year is important, it must be combined with the favorable positions of the month, day, and hour to be useful. If the seal is revealed in the year but absent in the month, day, and hour, it won't help much. It is good to have an official star in the four - pillar original chart. If there are few seals and many official - ghost stars, or if it belongs to other patterns, we can't just focus on the seal. If the seal meets the patterns such as "arch - prosperity", "exclusive - prosperity", "return - prosperity", "rat - honor", "sandwiched - honor", "hour - honor", etc., it is even more extraordinary. However, it usually means having few or no children, and those with many seals are often lonely. Generally, the seal likes the seven - killing star, but the number of killing stars should not be too large, or it will harm the body. If there was originally no seven - killing star, one will achieve success when encountering it in the fortune - making period. If there was originally a seven - killing star, it will be unlucky when entering the wealth fortune, or when the seal is in a state of death or at the tomb position. As the classic says: "The killing star can give birth to the seal, but one should fear entering the wealth sector, for it will break the seal and assist the ghost star, which surely indicates misfortune." Generally, most patterns prefer a strong self - element, but the seal pattern prefers a weak self - element. If the original chart has the wealth star damaging the seal, and the fortune runs into the peer and robbery stars to make the self - element strong, one can still achieve good fortune. Otherwise, it is not advisable. If there are no official, killing, or wealth stars and the self - element becomes strong in the fortune, it usually means an ordinary life.
"On the Origin": Regarding the Seal (Yinshou), for example, when the day stem is Jia, encountering the Zi month means the proper seal, and the Hai month means the partial seal. It is most favorable to meet the Heavenly Virtue (Tiande) and the Monthly Virtue (Yuede). For the Zi month, the Heavenly Virtue is in Xun, and the Monthly Virtue is in Ren; for the Hai month, the Heavenly Virtue is in Yi, and the Monthly Virtue is in Jia. It is excellent if the hour has You or Xin as the proper official. Or if there is Shen or Geng as the Seven Kills, then it requires the presence of the same element (bijie) to support the body and combine with the kills, which is considered noble. It fears the Earthly Branches Wu and Ji as the wealth stars that damage the seal, and it忌讳 the Fire Branches Bing and Ding as the Eating God or Hurting Officer that generate wealth and break the seal. When the day stem is Yi and it encounters the Hai or Zi months, the favorable and unfavorable conditions are the same as those for Jia. When the day stem is Bing, encountering the Mao month means the proper seal. The Heavenly Virtue is in Kun, and the Monthly Virtue is in Jia. For the Yin month as the partial seal, the Heavenly Virtue is in Ding, and the Monthly Virtue is in Bing. It is favorable to see Zi or Gui as the proper official, or Ren or Hai as the Seven Kills. Then it requires the same element to support the body and combine with the kills. It fears the Metal Branches Shen, Geng, You, and Xin as the wealth stars that damage the seal, and it忌讳 the Earth Branches Wu and Ji as the Eating God or Hurting Officer that generate wealth and break the seal. When the day stem is Ding and it encounters the Yin or Mao months, the favorable and unfavorable conditions are the same as those for Bing. When the day stem is Wu, encountering the Wu month means the proper seal. The Heavenly Virtue is in Hai, and the Monthly Virtue is in Bing. For the Si month as the partial seal, the Heavenly Virtue is in Xin, and the Monthly Virtue is in Geng. It is favorable to meet Mao or Yi as the proper official, or Yin or Jia as the Seven Kills. When there are the kills, it is appropriate to have the same element to support the body and combine with the kills. It忌讳 the Water Branches Ren and Gui as the wealth that damages the seal, and the Metal Branches Shen, Geng, and Xin as the Eating God or Hurting Officer that generate wealth and break the seal. When the day stem is Ji and it is born in the Si or Wu months, the favorable and unfavorable conditions are the same as those for Wu. When the day stem is Geng and it is born in the Wu month, it has the proper seal. The Heavenly Virtue is in Qian, and the Monthly Virtue is in Bing. For the Si month as the partial seal, the Heavenly Virtue is in Xin, and the Monthly Virtue is in Geng. It is favorable to see Wu or Ding as the official star, or Si or Bing as the Seven Kills. When there are the kills, it is appropriate to have the same element to support the body and combine with the kills. It忌讳 the Wood Branches Jia, Yi, Yin, and Mao as the prosperous wealth that damages the seal, and the Water Branches Ren and Gui as the Eating God or Hurting Officer, and the Wu as the wealth that breaks the seal. When the day stem is Xin and it is born in the Si or Wu months, the favorable and unfavorable conditions are the same as those for Geng. When the day stem is Ren and it is born in the You month, it has the proper seal. The Heavenly Virtue is in Yin, and the Monthly Virtue is in Geng. For the Shen month as the partial seal, the Heavenly Virtue is in Gui, and the Monthly Virtue is in Ren. It is favorable if the hour has Si or Wu as the proper official or Ji or Wu as the Seven Kills. Then it is appropriate to have the same element to support the body and combine with the kills. It忌讳 the Fire Branches Bing and Ding as the prosperous wealth that damages the seal, and the Wood Branches Jia and Yi as the Eating God or Hurting Officer, and the Wu as the wealth that breaks the seal. When the day stem is Gui and it is born in the Shen or You months, the favorable and unfavorable conditions are the same as those for Ren.
The classic says: If one does not violate the official laws, the seal and the Heavenly Virtue are in the same palace. It also says: Those who lead a simple life and have a kind - hearted nature, the seal likes to meet the Heavenly Virtue. For example, in the case of Minister Meng Zhongdu, with the birth year - month - day - hour being Bihai, Dinghai, Yichou, Bingxu, the seal and the Heavenly Virtue are in the same palace. For another person with the birth year - month - day - hour being Jiayin, Bingyin, Bingyin, Dingyou, the Heavenly Virtue is at Ding, the Monthly Virtue is at Bing, and the seal is at Yin. For yet another person with the birth year - month - day - hour being Gengshen, Gengchen, Gengzi, Renwu, both the Heavenly Virtue and the Monthly Virtue are at Ren, and the seal is at Chen. In this pattern, it is essential to be in a prosperous state and most feared to be in a state of death or extinction. For instance, when Yi sees Haizi as the seal, seeing metal can complete its benevolence and righteousness and nurture it. If the original seal meets earth, the pattern will be mixed. When the fortune - cycle moves towards the northwest, the official position and the seal bring good fortune. If the hour is guided to Maochensi, or the fortune - cycle passes through these places, the wealth and the seal will fall into a state of death and extinction. If in the flowing year, there is wealth that overcomes the seal, there is no doubt that one will enter the underworld. When the seal conforms to the pattern, in the great fortune - cycle, it is most feared that the seal changes through combination. When it meets the three - combination of the earthly branches, and either turns into an injury pattern, or a wealth pattern, or a killing pattern, it is extremely inauspicious.
The poem says: Gold depends on Earth for its birth, but when Earth is too thick, Gold will be buried. Wood is nourished by Water, but when Water is too abundant, Wood will drift away. When Fire is blazing and Earth is parched, it cannot nurture life, such as when the Day Stem is Ji and meets Wu. Hard Gold cannot generate Water, such as when the Day Stem is Geng and meets Xu. When prosperous Earth meets prosperous Fire, those in such a situation are bound to suffer from eye diseases, carbuncles, and fevers. Manure - like Earth cannot generate Gold, dry Gold cannot generate Water, and exhausted Water cannot generate Wood. When encountering such situations, one should examine them carefully and not simply make judgments based on the concept of Seal (Yinshou). If Water is generated by Gold and meets the Autumn season, it is a state of clear Water and white Gold, which is extremely beautiful. When there is one Water and three Golds, it is called a complete - form image. When Fire is generated by Wood and meets the Spring season, it is a state of elegant Wood and bright Fire, with flames in red and green. But if Metal appears, it will damage the Wood and extinguish the Fire's flames. For the Seal elements of Metal and Wood, having more of them is generally regarded as auspicious. However, if there is too much Fire Seal, Fire will be blazing and Earth will be scorched; if there is too much Water Seal, Water will flood and Wood will float; if there is too much Earth Seal, Earth will be heavy and Gold will be buried. None of these situations is considered auspicious.
It is also said that: On a Jia day in the Zi month, the Jisi hour is taboo, as the Wu hour is feared for its conflict. On a Yi day in the Hai month, the Wuchen hour is taboo, as the Si hour is feared for its conflict. On a Bing day in the Mao month, the Xinmao hour is taboo, as the You hour is feared for its conflict; in the Yin month, the Gengyin hour is taboo, as the Shen hour is feared for its conflict. On a Ding day in the Yin month, the Gengzi hour is taboo, as the Shen hour is feared for its conflict; in the Mao month, the Xinchou hour is taboo, as the You hour is feared for its conflict. On a Wu day in the Wu month, the Guimao hour is taboo, as the Zi hour is feared for its conflict. On a Ji day in the Si month, the Renzi and Rengxu hours are feared, and the conflict with the Hai is taboo. On a Geng day in the Wu month, the Jimao and Yiyou hours are taboo, as the Zi hour is feared for its conflict; in the Si month, the Wuyin hour is taboo, as the Hai hour is feared for its conflict. On a Xin day in the Si month, the Gengyin and Jiawu hours are taboo, as the Hai hour is feared for its conflict; in the Wu month, the Xinmao and Yiwei hours are taboo, as the Zi hour is feared for its conflict. On a Ren day in the You month, the Dingwei hour is taboo, as the Mao hour is feared for its conflict; in the Shen month, the Bingwu hour is taboo, as the Yin hour is feared for its conflict; in the You month, the Dingsi hour is feared for its conflict with the Mao. For the above days with the Heavenly Stems, it is all favorable to see the Peer - to - Peer Qi for circulation, and it is taboo to see the Eating and Hurting Qi to consume the Seal Qi and generate the Wealth Qi. If this is violated and one's fortune is in a place where the Body and Seal Qi are weak and the Wealth Qi is strong, one will surely be greedy for wealth, damage the Seal, and be stripped of official positions and demoted.
The classic says: When the seal and the wealth star appear repeatedly, everything will be difficult to succeed. It also says: If the monthly seal is pure and there is no wealth star, one will pass the imperial examination and gain high - ranking official positions through literary achievements. It also states: When the body is strong and there are many seals, the fortune of wealth is not a problem; when the body is weak but there are seals, the fortune of the evil star cannot cause harm! It further says: If the seal has a root, it is favorable to encounter the wealth star; if the seal has no root, it is taboo to see the wealth star. The official star is the root of the seal. If there are both the official star and the wealth star for the seal, then the wealth will generate the official, the official will generate the seal, the seal will generate the body, and the body will overcome the wealth, which leads to honor and nobility, so there is no need to worry. It also says: If the seal has a root, it will bring prosperity when encountering the wealth star, become prominent when encountering the official star, be in a gloomy situation when encountering a combination, and face disasters when encountering a clash. The "Tongming Fu" says: When the wealth and the seal are intertwined, we should judge according to the strength of their qi. If the wealth is weak and the qi of the seal is strong, we should choose the seal over the wealth, and the nobility can be expected; if the qi of the seal is weak and the wealth is strong, we should choose the wealth over the seal. Although it seems to go against the fortune of the salary, if the branches and stems are strong, it can still bring wealth. The "Baojian" says: If the seal is damaged by the wealth, one's mother will die early. The "Aozhi" says: If the seal is damaged, one will lose the family business and leave one's hometown. The "Luoyi Fu" says: When the seal is in the position of the son, one will enjoy the honor brought by the son. The "Qianlima" says: When encountering the seal, we should look at the official star, and in most cases, encountering the official star will lead to nobility. The "Zaowei Lun" says: When the seal encounters splendor, one will hold a high - ranking position in the imperial academy. The "Wanqi Fu" says: For the proper seal, encountering the wealth star is inauspicious, while encountering the official star is auspicious. If there is an official star but no seal, even if one is rich and noble, there will be setbacks; if there is a seal but no official star, even if one is prosperous, there will be losses. One should be worried about the four - pillar chart encountering death and extinction, and be glad to see the three - element chart having the sign of long - life.
As an ancient poem goes:
When one's fate meets with the Seal (in fortune - telling), the blessings are not slight. In youth, one can calmly enjoy what is readily available. When the Seal is prosperous and there are many of them, the blessings are particularly rich. One can receive favors and protection to establish fame and achievements.
Moreover:
When the moon meets the Seal and favors the Officer star, entering the Officer luck brings clear - cut blessings. When one encounters the Dead and Extinct phases in the luck cycle, it's unfavorable to oneself. If the Wealth luck follows, nothing can be achieved.
Moreover:
You'll keep your official seal and ribbon intact and enjoy all the blessings. As an official, you'll inherit property and have fields. You'll receive imperial edicts and amass wealth and grain. Your daily meals will cost ten thousand coins.
Moreover:
When there are multiple Seal and Ribbon elements in the Bazi, the pattern is quite rare. One should carefully analyze the branches. If there is the Xianchi Star in the branches and the Heavenly Stems form combinations, it indicates a person who is licentious and will squander the family fortune.
Moreover:
With numerous official seals and ribbons, one enjoys what's readily available. But there's a fear that the Gourmet God might secretly bring harm. If one doesn't pass away in the early years, they'll endure loneliness, leave their hometown, and be haunted by chronic illnesses.
Moreover:
It's not advisable for one's self-element to be overly strong when there are official seals (in the Bazi). Even if there are no problems, life will be just ordinary. Unless there are many official and seven-kill elements in the original birth chart, then one can make a name and become a pillar of society.
Moreover:
When the seal and ribbon bring a pure and prosperous qi to a person, and they encounter a lot of official and killing elements, it will make the person more energetic. However, if the seal moves into the state of death, extinction, or the wealth land, and there is no rescue, the person will ultimately end up in the underworld.
Combining all the theories, the preferences and taboos regarding the Seal and Ribbon (a concept in traditional Chinese fortune - telling) can be seen.