Shen Sha (symbolic stars)
Shen Sha (神煞) are additional symbolic stars in the BaZi chart that mark specific themes, such as help, intelligence, attraction, travel, or loneliness.
If elements and Ten Gods are the main ingredients of a dish, Shen Sha are the seasoning. Elements and Ten Gods are computed from relationships between elements, whereas Shen Sha are found through lookup tables based on the Day Stem or Day Branch (some schools also use the Year Branch). 神 (Shén) tends to sound supportive and 煞 (Shà) tends to sound challenging, but a challenge can also become a strength.
How to read the rules
Each rule is written on one line: the part left of the arrow (→) is the “key” you match against your chart, and the part on the right is the branch (or stem) that is the star. Check whether that branch appears among your four branches.
- From the Day Stem: Heavenly Noble “甲戊庚 → 丑未” means that if your Day Master is 甲, 戊, or 庚, the star falls on 丑 (Ox) and 未 (Goat).
- From the Day Branch: Sky Horse “寅午戌 → 申” means that if your Day Branch is 寅, 午, or 戌, the star is 申 (Monkey).
- From the Day Pillar: Void “甲子旬 → 戌亥” means that if your Day Pillar belongs to the ten-group 甲子 (numbers 1–10), branches 戌 and 亥 are considered “empty”.
Confused by Stem, Branch and Pillar? See the explanation on The Four Pillars.
Most common stars
天乙貴人 Heavenly Noble
Help from the right people, mentors
- 甲戊庚 → 丑未Yang Wood, Yang Earth, Yang Metal → Ox, Goat
- 乙己 → 子申Yin Wood, Yin Earth → Rat, Monkey
- 丙丁 → 亥酉Yang Fire, Yin Fire → Pig, Rooster
- 壬癸 → 巳卯Yang Water, Yin Water → Snake, Rabbit
- 辛 → 寅午Yin Metal → Tiger, Horse
文昌 Wen Chang (Intelligence)
Learning, writing, sharp thinking
- 甲 → 巳Yang Wood → Snake
- 乙 → 午Yin Wood → Horse
- 丙戊 → 申Yang Fire, Yang Earth → Monkey
- 丁己 → 酉Yin Fire, Yin Earth → Rooster
- 庚 → 亥Yang Metal → Pig
- 辛 → 子Yin Metal → Rat
- 壬 → 寅Yang Water → Tiger
- 癸 → 卯Yin Water → Rabbit
桃花 Peach Blossom
Attraction and charm
- 申子辰 → 酉Monkey, Rat, Dragon → Rooster
- 亥卯未 → 子Pig, Rabbit, Goat → Rat
- 寅午戌 → 卯Tiger, Horse, Dog → Rabbit
- 巳酉丑 → 午Snake, Rooster, Ox → Horse
驛馬 Sky Horse
Movement, travel, relocation
- 申子辰 → 寅Monkey, Rat, Dragon → Tiger
- 亥卯未 → 巳Pig, Rabbit, Goat → Snake
- 寅午戌 → 申Tiger, Horse, Dog → Monkey
- 巳酉丑 → 亥Snake, Rooster, Ox → Pig
孤辰 Solitary
Independent, slow to open up
- 亥子丑 → 寅Pig, Rat, Ox → Tiger
- 寅卯辰 → 巳Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon → Snake
- 巳午未 → 申Snake, Horse, Goat → Monkey
- 申酉戌 → 亥Monkey, Rooster, Dog → Pig
羊刃 Goat Blade
Sharp, decisive energy that needs an outlet
- 甲 → 卯Yang Wood → Rabbit
- 丙戊 → 午Yang Fire, Yang Earth → Horse
- 庚 → 酉Yang Metal → Rooster
- 壬 → 子Yang Water → Rat
空亡 Void
Feels “empty” and needs extra effort, but also offers freedom
- 甲子旬 → 戌亥Xun 甲子 (no. 1–10) → Dog, Pig
- 甲戌旬 → 申酉Xun 甲戌 (no. 11–20) → Monkey, Rooster
- 甲申旬 → 午未Xun 甲申 (no. 21–30) → Horse, Goat
- 甲午旬 → 辰巳Xun 甲午 (no. 31–40) → Dragon, Snake
- 甲辰旬 → 寅卯Xun 甲辰 (no. 41–50) → Tiger, Rabbit
- 甲寅旬 → 子丑Xun 甲寅 (no. 51–60) → Rat, Ox
Void example: the Day Pillar 庚午 belongs to the 甲子 ten-group (numbers 1–10), so branches 戌 and 亥 in the chart are considered “empty”.
Annual stars: each current year brings its own stars, for example Tai Sui (太歲, the year's own branch) and Sui Po (歲破, the branch that clashes with it). For 2026, Tai Sui is 午 and Sui Po is 子.
In the calculator: stars found in your chart appear with their triggering pillar and a short meaning, in Indonesian or English. The language follows your choice in the navigation bar.
- One star guarantees and rules out nothing. Many stars do not mean more luck.
- “Sha” is not a curse, but a sign of an area needing more attention.
- Note which rule set is used, because sources differ between schools.
Reflection question
Of the stars above, which match your experience, and which feel completely unrelated?
Original term: 神煞 · Shén Shà · Symbolic Stars
Reading order for chapter 5, for beginners
- Look at the element balance: which stands out, which is thin.
- Look at the 5 Structures and Ten Gods to understand the strongest roles.
- Look at the current decade for the theme of your life season.
- Combine with the branch relationships of chapter 4 if there is a Harmony or Clash.
- Remember, everything is a picture of dynamics, not fate.