Common questions
BaZi & Four Pillars FAQ
A practical reference for understanding the calculator, its inputs, and the boundaries of an Eastern Type reading.
What does a BaZi chart calculate?
It maps your birth year, month, day, and hour into Four Pillars made of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, then identifies your Day Master and observed Five Elements.
How accurate does my birth time need to be?
Use the most precise local time you know. If it is unknown, Eastern Type leaves the Hour Pillar unresolved and marks the result as partial.
Why does birthplace matter?
Birthplace helps resolve the local timezone used to interpret the civil birth time before calculation.
What is a Day Master?
The Day Master is the Heavenly Stem of the Day Pillar. Eastern Type uses it as one starting point for mapping an Eastern Type.
What are the Five Elements?
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water are the five element categories used to describe observed signals across a BaZi chart.
Does Eastern Type make future predictions?
No. It presents BaZi as cultural exploration and self-reflection, not a fixed prediction or professional advice.
Does AI calculate my chart?
No. The displayed chart values are calculated deterministically; AI does not change your Four Pillars or Day Master.
Can I use the calculator for free?
Yes. The free calculator shows Four Pillars, Day Master, Five Element presence, and an Eastern Type starting point.
What is an Eastern Type?
An Eastern Type is a concise interpretive label mapped from the Day Master stem. It is not a complete personality diagnosis.
Where can I learn the calculation details?
Read the methodology page for input normalization, Four Pillars calculation, Five Element presence, evidence boundaries, and current limitations.