用神详解
What is Yong Shen

用神，字面意思是"可用之神"或"有用的神"，是八字命理中最关键的概念之一。简单来说，用神是命局中最需要、最有利的那个五行元素——它像一剂良药，能够治疗命局的"病症"，使五行趋向平衡。 为什么用神如此重要？因为几乎没有完美平衡的八字命局。每个人的命局都存在某种程度的五行失衡——有的元素过旺，有的元素过弱，有的缺失。这种失衡就是命局的"病"。而用神，就是治这个病的"药"。 《渊海子平》中说："用神者，命局之主宰也。"——用神是判断一个命局吉凶休咎的第一要素。命局中用神有力，则一生顺遂，运行用神之运更是如虎添翼；用神无力或受克，则命运多舛，诸事不顺。 《滴天髓》"体用"篇对此有精辟论述："道有体用，不可以一端论也。要在扶之抑之得其宜。"意思是，命局如同人的身体（"体"），而用神就是维持身体健康的关键要素（"用"）。无论是扶助弱者还是抑制强者，关键在于得当——既不过分也不不足。 用神的选取是八字分析中最考验功力的环节。不同的命理流派可能对同一命局选出不同的用神，但最基本、最通用的方法是"扶抑法"（Fu Yi Method），这也是初学者应该首先掌握的核心方法论。

Yong Shen, literally "Useful God" or "the God that can be employed," is one of the most critical concepts in Bazi. Simply put, Yong Shen is the most needed and most beneficial Five Element in a chart — like a prescription medicine that treats the chart's "ailment," bringing the Five Elements toward balance. Why is Yong Shen so important? Because virtually no Bazi chart is perfectly balanced. Every person's chart has some degree of elemental imbalance — some elements are too strong, some too weak, some missing entirely. This imbalance is the chart's "illness." Yong Shen is the "medicine" that treats it. Yuan Hai Zi Ping states: "Yong Shen is the sovereign ruler of the chart" — it is the primary factor for judging a chart's fortune and misfortune. When Yong Shen is powerful in the chart, life tends to go smoothly, and periods when Yong Shen is active in the Luck Pillars are especially favorable. When Yong Shen is weak or under attack, destiny is fraught with obstacles. Di Tian Sui's chapter on "Body and Function" offers an incisive discussion: "The Dao has body and function — it cannot be judged from one end alone. The key is whether support and restraint are applied appropriately." This means the chart is like a person's body ("Ti"), and Yong Shen is the critical factor for maintaining that body's health ("Yong"). Whether supporting the weak or restraining the strong, the key is appropriateness — neither too much nor too little. Selecting the Yong Shen is the most skill-testing aspect of Bazi analysis. Different schools of thought may identify different Yong Shen for the same chart, but the most fundamental and universally applicable method is the "Fu Yi Method" (Support and Restrain Method), which is the core methodology beginners should master first.

判断用神的第一步是确定日主（Day Master）的旺衰——即日主在整个命局中是强还是弱。这个判断直接决定了用神的选取方向。 **判断日主旺衰的四个维度：** **1. 月令（最重要）：** 日主是否得令——即日主的五行是否与月支所代表的季节五行相符或相生。例如，甲木日主生于寅月（春季木旺），则日主得令，力量大增。若甲木生于酉月（秋季金旺），金克木，日主失令，先天偏弱。月令占日主旺衰判断权重的约50%。 **2. 得地（地支藏干）：** 日主在四个地支中是否有"根"——即地支的藏干中是否有与日主相同五行的元素。根越多，日主越有力。例如，甲木日主，若日支为寅（藏甲木），时支为卯（藏乙木），则日主两处有根，力量充沛。 **3. 得生（印星支持）：** 命局中是否有印星（Direct Resource/Indirect Resource）生助日主。印星越旺，日主获得的支持越多。 **4. 得助（比劫帮扶）：** 命局中是否有比肩（Friend）和劫财（Rob Wealth）帮扶日主。比劫越多，日主的同党力量越强。 **综合判断原则：** 以月令为主导，结合得地、得生、得助三个辅助条件进行综合评估。如果日主得令且至少有一两个辅助条件支持，通常判断为"身旺"（Strong Day Master）。如果日主失令且缺乏足够的生助和帮扶，则判断为"身弱"（Weak Day Master）。 值得注意的是，旺弱本身没有绝对的好坏之分。身旺有身旺的优势和适宜的用神，身弱亦然。关键在于找到与之匹配的正确用神。

The first step in determining Yong Shen is assessing the Day Master's strength — whether it is strong or weak within the overall chart. This assessment directly dictates the direction of Yong Shen selection. **Four dimensions for assessing Day Master strength:** **1. Monthly Command (most important):** Whether the Day Master is "in season" — meaning its element aligns with or is produced by the seasonal element of the Month Branch. For example, a Jia Wood Day Master born in Yin month (spring, Wood dominant) is in season, with significantly amplified strength. If Jia Wood is born in You month (autumn, Metal dominant), Metal controls Wood, so the Day Master is out of season and inherently weaker. Monthly Command accounts for approximately 50% of the strength assessment. **2. Rooted in Branches:** Whether the Day Master has "roots" in the four Earthly Branches — meaning whether any branch contains a Hidden Stem of the same element as the Day Master. More roots mean a stronger Day Master. For example, a Jia Wood Day Master with Yin as the Day Branch (containing Jia Wood) and Mao as the Hour Branch (containing Yi Wood) has two roots, providing substantial strength. **3. Receiving Support (Resource Stars):** Whether the chart contains Direct Resource or Indirect Resource stars that produce and support the Day Master. The stronger the Resource stars, the more support the Day Master receives. **4. Receiving Help (Friend/Rob Wealth):** Whether the chart contains Friend (Bi Jian) and Rob Wealth (Jie Cai) elements assisting the Day Master. More Friend/Rob Wealth elements mean a stronger allied force for the Day Master. **Comprehensive assessment principle:** Led by Monthly Command, supplemented by the three auxiliary conditions of roots, support, and help. If the Day Master is in season and has at least one or two supporting conditions, it is typically classified as "Strong" (Shen Wang). If the Day Master is out of season and lacks sufficient production and assistance, it is classified as "Weak" (Shen Ruo). It is worth noting that strong or weak in itself carries no absolute judgment of good or bad. A strong Day Master has its own advantages and appropriate Yong Shen, and the same applies to a weak Day Master. The key lies in finding the correct matching Yong Shen.

扶抑法是确定用神最基本、最广泛使用的方法。其核心原则极为简洁：**弱则扶之，旺则抑之**——日主弱就帮助它，日主旺就抑制它。 **身弱用神选取：** 当日主偏弱时，命局需要"扶"——增强日主的力量。根据扶抑法： - **用神（Yong Shen）= 印星（Resource）**——即生助日主的五行。印星直接生养日主，是最有效的扶助力量。例如甲木日主身弱，用神为水（因为水生木），即正印（Direct Resource）或偏印（Indirect Resource）。 - **喜神（Xi Shen）= 比劫（Friend/Rob Wealth）**——即与日主相同的五行。比劫帮扶日主，增加同党力量。 **身旺用神选取：** 当日主偏旺时，命局需要"抑"——消耗或制约日主的力量。根据扶抑法： - **用神（Yong Shen）= 官杀（Officer/Killings）**——即克制日主的五行。官杀直接克制日主的过旺之势。例如甲木日主身旺，用神为金（因为金克木），即正官（Direct Officer）或七杀（Seven Killings）。 - **喜神（Xi Shen）= 财星（Wealth）**——即日主所克的五行。财星消耗日主的力量，同时财能生官，间接加强制约。 **扶抑法的精髓：** 不是简单的"加减法"，而是追求动态平衡。《滴天髓》说得好："扶之抑之得其宜"——关键在"得宜"二字。过度的扶会让弱日主变成"假旺"，过度的抑会让旺日主变成"被压垮"。高明的用神选取，是在扶抑之间找到最佳的平衡点。 **特殊情况：** 当命局极端偏旺（从旺格）或极端偏弱（从弱格）时，扶抑法不再适用，需要使用"从格"理论。但对于绝大多数命局，扶抑法是最可靠的用神判定方法。

The Fu Yi Method is the most fundamental and widely used approach for determining Yong Shen. Its core principle is elegantly simple: **support the weak, restrain the strong** — help the Day Master when it is weak, suppress it when it is strong. **Yong Shen selection for a Weak Day Master:** When the Day Master is weak, the chart needs "support" — strengthening the Day Master's power. According to Fu Yi: - **Yong Shen = Resource Star** — the element that produces the Day Master. Resource Stars directly nourish the Day Master, making them the most effective support. For example, if a Jia Wood Day Master is weak, Yong Shen is Water (since Water produces Wood), meaning Direct Resource or Indirect Resource. - **Xi Shen (Favorable God) = Friend/Rob Wealth** — the same element as the Day Master. Friend/Rob Wealth assists the Day Master by adding allied strength. **Yong Shen selection for a Strong Day Master:** When the Day Master is strong, the chart needs "restraint" — depleting or controlling the Day Master's excess power. According to Fu Yi: - **Yong Shen = Officer/Killings Star** — the element that controls the Day Master. Officer/Killings directly restrains the Day Master's excessive momentum. For example, if a Jia Wood Day Master is strong, Yong Shen is Metal (since Metal controls Wood), meaning Direct Officer or Seven Killings. - **Xi Shen (Favorable God) = Wealth Star** — the element the Day Master controls. Wealth Star depletes the Day Master's energy, and since Wealth produces Officer, it indirectly reinforces the restraining force. **The essence of Fu Yi:** It is not simple arithmetic of adding and subtracting but a pursuit of dynamic equilibrium. Di Tian Sui puts it well: "Support and restrain, achieving what is appropriate" — the key lies in "appropriateness." Excessive support can make a weak Day Master "falsely strong"; excessive restraint can make a strong Day Master "crushed." Masterful Yong Shen selection finds the optimal balance point between support and restraint. **Special cases:** When a chart is extremely one-sided toward strength (Follow Strong structure) or weakness (Follow Weak structure), the Fu Yi Method no longer applies, and "Follow Structure" (Cong Ge) theory is needed instead. But for the vast majority of charts, Fu Yi remains the most reliable method for Yong Shen determination.

用神判定是一个系统化的过程，需要按照严谨的步骤进行分析。以下是扶抑法判定用神的完整流程： **第一步：排出完整八字。** 确保年月日时四柱准确无误，特别注意立春换年、节气换月、真太阳时校正和早晚子时规则。排盘的准确性直接决定后续分析的正确性。 **第二步：计算五行力量分布。** 统计命局中每种五行的总力量值，包括天干的直接贡献和地支藏干的权重贡献。得出木、火、土、金、水五行的力量百分比分布。 **第三步：判断日主旺衰。** 以月令为核心，结合地支根气、印星生助和比劫帮扶，综合判定日主是"身旺"还是"身弱"。 **第四步：确定用神和喜神。** - 身弱：用神为生日主的五行（印星），喜神为同日主的五行（比劫） - 身旺：用神为克日主的五行（官杀），喜神为日主所克的五行（财星） **第五步：确定忌神和仇神。** - 身弱的忌神：克日主的五行（官杀），仇神：日主所克的五行（财星，因财生官杀反而加重克身之力） - 身旺的忌神：生日主的五行（印星），仇神：同日主的五行（比劫，直接增强日主旺势） **第六步：验证与调整。** 检查用神在命局中是否有力——用神是否得月令、有根气、不受克制。如果用神本身无力，可能需要先找到能"救应"用神的元素（即"调候用神"或"通关用神"等辅助概念）。 **实例说明：** 假设一个壬水日主，生于午月（夏季火旺），命局中火土偏旺而水木偏弱。判断：日主壬水在午月失令，身弱。用神为金（金生水，印星扶身），喜神为水（比劫帮身）。忌神为土（土克水，官杀克身），仇神为火（火生土，加重克势）。

Yong Shen determination is a systematic process requiring rigorous step-by-step analysis. Here is the complete workflow using the Fu Yi Method: **Step One: Calculate the complete Bazi chart.** Ensure the four pillars for year, month, day, and hour are accurate, paying special attention to the Li Chun year boundary, Solar Term month boundaries, True Solar Time correction, and the Early/Late Zi hour rule. The accuracy of the chart directly determines the correctness of all subsequent analysis. **Step Two: Calculate the Five Element strength distribution.** Tally the total strength value for each element in the chart, including direct contributions from Heavenly Stems and weighted contributions from Earthly Branch Hidden Stems. Derive the percentage distribution across Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. **Step Three: Assess the Day Master's strength.** Led by Monthly Command, combined with Branch roots, Resource Star support, and Friend/Rob Wealth assistance, make a comprehensive determination of whether the Day Master is "Strong" or "Weak." **Step Four: Determine Yong Shen and Xi Shen.** - Weak DM: Yong Shen is the element that produces the Day Master (Resource), Xi Shen is the same element as the Day Master (Friend/Rob Wealth) - Strong DM: Yong Shen is the element that controls the Day Master (Officer/Killings), Xi Shen is the element the Day Master controls (Wealth) **Step Five: Determine Ji Shen (Unfavorable God) and Chou Shen (Hostile God).** - Weak DM's Ji Shen: the element that controls the Day Master (Officer/Killings); Chou Shen: the element the Day Master controls (Wealth, because Wealth produces Officer/Killings, indirectly intensifying the controlling force) - Strong DM's Ji Shen: the element that produces the Day Master (Resource); Chou Shen: the same element as the Day Master (Friend/Rob Wealth, directly amplifying the Day Master's excess) **Step Six: Verify and adjust.** Check whether Yong Shen is powerful within the chart — whether it has Monthly Command, Branch roots, and is free from attack. If Yong Shen itself is weak, one may need to first identify elements that can "rescue" the Yong Shen (auxiliary concepts like "Climate-Regulating Yong Shen" or "Bridge Yong Shen"). **Worked example:** Suppose a Ren Water Day Master born in Wu month (summer, Fire dominant), with the chart showing strong Fire and Earth but weak Water and Wood. Assessment: Ren Water is out of season in Wu month — Weak Day Master. Yong Shen is Metal (Metal produces Water = Resource Star supporting the body), Xi Shen is Water (Friend/Rob Wealth assisting). Ji Shen is Earth (Earth controls Water = Officer/Killings attacking), Chou Shen is Fire (Fire produces Earth, intensifying the controlling force).

在扶抑法的完整体系中，五行中的每一行都会根据其与日主的关系和命局的需求，被归入五个角色之一——用神、喜神、闲神、忌神、仇神。这就是"五神体系"。 **用神（Yong Shen / Useful God）：** 命局最需要的五行，治病的核心之药。用神有力则命运亨通，用神受损则诸事不顺。大运流年行至用神旺地，往往是人生的高光时刻。 **喜神（Xi Shen / Favorable God）：** 辅助用神的五行，类似于"帮手"。喜神能够生助用神或与用神配合，间接发挥平衡作用。虽然不如用神直接，但喜神旺时同样带来好运。 **闲神（Xian Shen / Idle God）：** 对命局影响较为中性的五行——既不是急需的，也不是有害的。闲神是日主所生的五行（食伤/输出元素），在扶抑法中处于中间位置。它既不显著帮助日主，也不显著伤害日主。但需注意：在某些特殊格局中，闲神可能转化为用神或忌神。 **忌神（Ji Shen / Unfavorable God）：** 对命局最不利的五行，直接破坏命局平衡。忌神是扶抑法中与用神作用相反的五行。大运流年行至忌神旺地，往往是人生的低谷时期。 **仇神（Chou Shen / Hostile God）：** 帮助忌神的五行，"忌神的帮凶"。仇神生助忌神或与忌神配合，间接加重命局的失衡。 **五神的动态性：** 需要特别强调的是，五神不是固定不变的。随着大运和流年的推进，命局的五行力量格局在不断变化。某一阶段的忌神，在另一个大运中可能因为力量对比的变化而转化为喜神。因此，八字分析不是静态的"一刀切"，而是需要结合时运动态解读。

In the complete Fu Yi system, each of the Five Elements is assigned one of five roles based on its relationship with the Day Master and the chart's needs — Yong Shen, Xi Shen, Xian Shen, Ji Shen, and Chou Shen. This is the "Five Gods Framework." **Yong Shen (Useful God):** The element the chart most needs — the core medicine for the illness. When Yong Shen is strong, destiny is smooth; when Yong Shen is damaged, nothing goes well. When Luck Pillars or Annual Pillars enter a period where Yong Shen is dominant, it is often life's peak moment. **Xi Shen (Favorable God):** The element that assists Yong Shen, akin to a "helper." Xi Shen can produce or cooperate with Yong Shen, indirectly contributing to balance. Though not as direct as Yong Shen, a strong Xi Shen period likewise brings good fortune. **Xian Shen (Idle God):** The element with relatively neutral impact on the chart — neither urgently needed nor harmful. Xian Shen is the element the Day Master produces (Eating God/Hurting Officer, the output element), occupying a middle position in the Fu Yi framework. It neither significantly helps nor significantly harms the Day Master. However, note that in certain special configurations, Xian Shen may transform into Yong Shen or Ji Shen. **Ji Shen (Unfavorable God):** The element most detrimental to the chart, directly disrupting balance. Ji Shen is the element whose effect opposes Yong Shen in the Fu Yi framework. When Luck Pillars or Annual Pillars enter a Ji Shen-dominant period, it is often life's lowest valley. **Chou Shen (Hostile God):** The element that aids Ji Shen — "Ji Shen's accomplice." Chou Shen produces or cooperates with Ji Shen, indirectly worsening the chart's imbalance. **The dynamic nature of the Five Gods:** It must be emphasized that the Five Gods are not permanently fixed. As Luck Pillars and Annual Pillars progress, the chart's elemental power dynamics continuously shift. An element that is Ji Shen in one phase may transform into Xi Shen in another Luck Pillar due to changes in the power balance. Therefore, Bazi analysis is not a static, one-time judgment but requires dynamic interpretation in conjunction with temporal fortune.

用神理论的终极价值在于指导实际生活。一旦确定了命局的用神，就可以在生活的方方面面进行有针对性的调整，以增强有利五行的能量。 **颜色选择：** 这是最简单直接的应用。根据用神五行选择日常穿着和生活用品的颜色：木用神选绿色系，火用神选红色/紫色系，土用神选黄色/棕色系，金用神选白色/银色/金色系，水用神选黑色/蓝色/深灰系。虽然单纯依靠颜色的调整力量有限，但长期坚持可以形成微妙的正向影响。 **职业方向：** 选择与用神五行相合的行业，能够借助有利的五行气场。木用神适合教育、出版、环保、农林业；火用神适合科技、传媒、能源、餐饮业；土用神适合房地产、建筑、农业、矿业；金用神适合金融、法律、机械、汽车业；水用神适合物流、贸易、旅游、传播业。 **方位选择：** 在居住、办公或出行时，优先选择用神对应的方位。木对应东方，火对应南方，土对应中央（或西南/东北），金对应西方，水对应北方。例如，水为用神的人，在选择工作城市时可优先考虑北方城市。 **数字与号码：** 八十一数理体系中，不同的数字残余值对应不同的五行能量和吉凶属性。选择与用神五行相合的手机号、车牌号等，是数字命理的实用应用。 **大运流年的规划：** 这是用神应用中最具战略意义的层面。通过分析未来大运和流年的五行走势，可以预判哪些年份对自己有利（用神旺年），哪些年份需要谨慎（忌神旺年）。在用神旺的大运期间，适合大胆开拓、投资发展；在忌神旺的时期，则应稳中求进、保守为上。 **健康养生：** 用神五行对应的脏腑系统往往是需要特别呵护的。例如，木为用神的人应重点保养肝胆系统，适当食用绿色蔬菜和酸味食物；水为用神的人应重点关注肾脏健康，保证充足的饮水和休息。 用神理论将抽象的五行分析转化为具体的生活指导，这正是八字命理的实用价值所在。然而，需要谨记的是：用神调整是一种辅助手段，真正决定命运走向的，始终是个人的努力、选择和智慧。

The ultimate value of Yong Shen theory lies in guiding practical life decisions. Once a chart's Yong Shen is determined, targeted adjustments can be made across all aspects of life to enhance the favorable element's energy. **Color choices:** This is the simplest and most direct application. Choose daily clothing and household item colors based on Yong Shen: Wood Yong Shen favors green tones, Fire favors red/purple, Earth favors yellow/brown, Metal favors white/silver/gold, Water favors black/blue/dark gray. While the adjustment power of color alone is limited, long-term consistency can create subtly positive influences. **Career direction:** Choosing an industry aligned with Yong Shen's element harnesses favorable elemental energy. Wood Yong Shen suits education, publishing, environmental science, forestry; Fire suits technology, media, energy, food service; Earth suits real estate, construction, agriculture, mining; Metal suits finance, law, machinery, automotive; Water suits logistics, trade, tourism, communications. **Directional choices:** When choosing where to live, work, or travel, prioritize directions corresponding to Yong Shen. Wood is East, Fire is South, Earth is Center (or Southwest/Northeast), Metal is West, Water is North. For example, someone with Water as Yong Shen might prioritize northern cities when choosing where to work. **Numbers and codes:** In the 81 Auspicious Numbers system, different remainder values correspond to different elemental energies and fortune attributes. Selecting phone numbers, license plates, and other codes aligned with Yong Shen's element is a practical application of numerical metaphysics. **Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar planning:** This is the most strategically significant layer of Yong Shen application. By analyzing the elemental trends of upcoming Luck Pillars and Annual Pillars, one can predict which years are favorable (Yong Shen dominant years) and which require caution (Ji Shen dominant years). During Luck Pillar periods when Yong Shen is strong, it is appropriate to boldly expand and invest; during Ji Shen-dominant periods, one should proceed steadily and conservatively. **Health and wellness:** The organ system corresponding to Yong Shen's element often deserves special care. For example, those with Wood as Yong Shen should focus on liver and gallbladder health, incorporating green vegetables and sour foods; those with Water as Yong Shen should focus on kidney health, ensuring adequate hydration and rest. Yong Shen theory transforms abstract Five Element analysis into concrete life guidance — this is precisely where Bazi's practical value resides. However, it is important to remember: Yong Shen adjustments are supplementary tools. What truly determines the course of destiny is always one's own effort, choices, and wisdom.