The Bone Weighing Divination Method
The Bone Weighing Divination Method is a prediction technique developed by Yuan Tiangang, a renowned celestial diviner from the Tang Dynasty. This method, similar to the Four Pillars of Destiny (BaZi), can determine an individual's fortune or misfortune, honor or disgrace throughout their life when combined with name selection and generation procedures. It boasts a high level of accuracy and is easy to grasp and apply.
Each year, month, day, and hour of a person's birth has a fixed number, and the weight of the year, month, day, and hour are all specifically defined. By adding up the weights of the year, month, day, and hour and consulting the "Bone Weighing Song," one can determine the destiny of that person for their entire life.
The weight of the birth year is determined by the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch (e.g., Jia Zi Year, Yi Chou Year, Bing Yin Year, etc.). The weight of the birth month is determined by the specific month (e.g., First Month, Second Month, etc.). The weight of the birth day is determined by the day number (e.g., First Day, Second Day, etc.), and the weight of the birth hour is determined by the twelve double-hours: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, and Hai.
In modern terms, each two-hour period corresponds to one ancient double-hour.
The conversion of the twelve double-hours into modern time is as follows:
- Zi Hour: 11 PM to 1 AM
- Chou Hour: 1 AM to 3 AM
- Yin Hour: 3 AM to 5 AM
- Mao Hour: 5 AM to 7 AM
- Chen Hour: 7 AM to 9 AM
- Si Hour: 9 AM to 11 AM
- Wu Hour: 11 AM to 1 PM
- Wei Hour: 1 PM to 3 PM
- Shen Hour: 3 PM to 5 PM
- You Hour: 5 PM to 7 PM
- Xu Hour: 7 PM to 9 PM
- Hai Hour: 9 PM to 11 PM
Example: A person born in the Zi Hour on the first day of the first month in the Jia Zi Year.
- Jia Zi Year bone weight: 1.2 taels
- First Month bone weight: 0.6 tael
- First Day bone weight: 0.5 tael
- Zi Hour bone weight: 1.6 taels
Adding together the bone weights for the year, month, day, and hour (1.2 + 0.6 + 0.5 + 1.6 = 3.9), this person's total bone weight is three taels and nine mace. Consulting the "Bone Weighing Song" for three taels and nine mace will reveal the destiny of this person for their entire life.
Yuan Tiangang: Originally from Chengdu, Yizhou (modern-day Chengdu, Sichuan) during the early Tang Dynasty. He was skilled in physiognomy and his predictions were consistently accurate. He served in the Sui Dynasty as the Salt Official and later in the Tang Dynasty as the Magistrate of Huoshan. He authored works such as "Six Ren Divination" and "The Five Elements Phase Book." Historical records mention he wrote "The Essential Mirror of the I Ching," which is now lost.