Cantian AI Traditional Chinese BaZi fortune telling decorative pattern
Back to Cases
L

Li Shizhen

Li Shizhen (1518–1593), famed Ming dynasty physician and pharmacologist, compiled the monumental Bencao Gangmu. Born into a medical family, he combined rigorous scholarship with decades of field investigation to correct and systematize materia medica, becoming a model of empirical science in pre-modern China.

1518-05-26
12:00
Qizhou (present-day Qichun, Hubei)
#Science & Tech
# physician # pharmacology # herbalist # Ming dynasty # medical author

BaZi Chart

Year
Eating God
戊 Wu
寅 Yin
Indirect Resource
Peer
Eating God
Month
Rob Wealth
丁 Ding
巳 Si
Peer
Indirect Wealth
Eating God
Day
Yuan Male
丙 Bing
戌 Xu
Eating God
Direct Wealth
Rob Wealth
Hour
Indirect Resource
甲 Jia
午 Wu
Rob Wealth
Hurting Officer
·
View Full Chart

Birth Time Verification

Preferred: Noon Hour (12:00, Jia-Wu). The Day Master is Bing Fire; the Fire in the month pillar (Si) supports its vigor. The Jia Wood as Partial Seal (Pian Yin) can nourish the Day Master and indicates scholarly learning and the gathering of texts. This reflects long-term inquiry, hands-on practice, and the ability to compile and organize. Jia Wood as Partial Seal can spark academic interest and the drive to research. The Noon Fire, being of the same category as Bing Fire, suits a person who is active, travels for field collection, and conducts on-site measurements; this aligns with Li Shizhen’s long-term field investigations and his eventual book. Other hours tend to emphasize Partial Wealth (Pian Cai), Official Kill (Guan Sha), or Pure Bi Jian (Peers), leaning toward officialdom, competition, or strong independence, but they do not combine learning resources, patience in organizing, and outdoor practice as the Noon Hour does. Therefore the Noon Hour is preferred.

Core Analysis

Li Shizhen's natal chart centers on 丙 (Yang Fire Day Master), supported by strong 食神 (Eating God) signals across the pillars. The chart shows a prominent Fire-Earth combination with helpful Wood resources (甲, 寅) but a near absence of Water, creating an elemental environment favoring expression, creativity, and productive output rather than bureaucratic maneuvering.

The overall configuration reads as a clear 食神格局 (Eating God pattern): this pattern emphasizes writing, teaching, testing ideas, and transforming knowledge into tangible works. That explains the sustained drive behind the massive compilation of the Bencao Gangmu, meticulous field experiments, and correction of prior errors—core strengths of a scholar-healer who channels mental energy into practical products.

In Ten-Gods language, the chart shows recurring 劫财/比肩 and 偏印 interactions in early pillars and 正财/七杀 influences in mid-life. The 大运 (Luck Pillars) sequence aligns with life events: youth periods of peer competition and study, mid-life financial and official openings (辛酉, 壬戌), then a later phase (甲子, 乙丑) of scholarly consolidation and recognition. These cycles support a pattern of repeated attempts at official success, eventual retreat to medicine, and ultimate achievement in authorship.

Practical inference: the Bazi explains both Li Shizhen's exceptional creative output and his limited official stability. The dominance of 食神 and lack of Water point to a temperament more suited to empirical work and independent scholarship than to long-term success in the political-examination system.

Traits

1

Scholarship & Systematization

Dominant 食神格局 and supportive 偏印 in the chart create strong aptitude for organizing knowledge; Bazi shows robust output energy that led to the systematic Bencao Gangmu.

2

Fieldwork & Practical Research

The Fire-Earth combination and presence of 甲寅 resource indicate hands-on curiosity and physical endurance, corresponding to decades of herbal fieldwork and specimen verification.

3

Persistence & Resilience

Early 劫财/比肩 influences foster competitive resilience; despite repeated civil exam failures, the chart's Ten-Gods pattern sustains long-term commitment to a medical vocation.

4

Official/Career Stability

A near absence of Water (resource/official support) and periodic 七杀 phases suggest fluctuating political fortune; Bazi explains short official posts and eventual withdrawal to independent practice.

Timeline

1533
Luck Pillar
己 Ji 未 Wei
Annual Pillar
癸 Gui 巳 Si
Hurting Officer in the major luck cycle Direct Official in the yearly luck Yin-Si mutual harm Tai Sui clash
15yrs career

First Wuchang Examination: Failed to Qualify

Li Shizhen's first trip to Wuchang to sit the xiangshi (provincial) exam; he failed to pass, marking an early setback on the path of the imperial examinations.

Analysis
This year features Hurting Officer in the major luck cycle, with Gui water acting as Direct Official in the year. In the Four Pillars, Hurting Officer meets Official, signaling disputes, competition, and obstacles, especially detrimental to exams and official selections. Although Gui water Direct Official would normally support career opportunities, it is directly restrained by the major luck's Ji Earth Hurting Officer, blocking opportunities. The Earthly Branches Yin-Si suffer mutual harm and mutual punishment, destabilizing the year's foundation and increasing external difficulties and inner restlessness. The chart is Fire-dominant and Earth-dry; water is urgently needed to balance. Although Gui water arrives in the year, its strength is weak and further suppressed by strong Earth, like trying to fill a cup with water; thus the overall dryness and heat remain. Therefore, in a exam-taking environment requiring calm, measured answers, his talent may struggle to be recognized by orthodox standards.
1536
Luck Pillar
己 Ji 未 Wei
Annual Pillar
丙 Bing 申 Shen
Tai Sui clash Tai Sui punishment Hurting Officer luck Fiery temperament; stubborn Traveling Horse aligns, prompting movement
18yrs career

A Cross-Current Decision: Renounce Confucianism for Medicine, Steadfast as Iron

After suffering his third consecutive failure in the xiangshi, Li Shizhen informed his father of his resolve, officially abandoning the imperial examination path and devoting himself to medical study with his father, beginning another extraordinary life journey.

Analysis
This year carries Bing Shen in the annual stem, which with the Wu Yin pillar forms the Yin-Shen clash, i.e., a clash with Tai Sui, signaling major life changes and turning points. At the same time, the year, month, and annual form the Three Penalties (Yin-Si-Shen), a Tai Sui punishment that brings disputes, pressure, and inner conflict, reflecting obstacles and internal struggle in the imperial examination path. The Luck Pillar Ji Wei is Hurting Officer, indicating rebellion against traditional rules and seeking a new path. The year's Bing Fire as a companion fire intensifies the chart's Fire-dominant tendency, making his self-awareness very strong and unwilling to follow the crowd. The Month pillar Si and the annual Shen form a Traveling Horse alignment, triggering movement and suggesting changes in life direction (from literature to medicine) and a new pursuit in medicine, which can be seen as another form of wealth accumulation. All these signals converge to drive a pivotal turning point in his life.
1548
Luck Pillar
辛 Xin 酉 You
Annual Pillar
戊 Wu 申 Shen
Luck cycle shifts to Jia Beneficial element in place Shishen yields wealth Traveling Horse aligns
30yrs career

Rising Fame as a Physician in Qizhou

After more than a decade of hard study and clinical practice, Li Shizhen's medical skills matured, earning him wide renown in his hometown of Qizhou as a highly respected physician, laying a solid foundation for his medical career.

Analysis
This year marks a crucial turning point in the luck cycle, shifting from the Gengshen luck (pian cai) to the Xinyou luck (zheng cai), signaling the start of a new life phase. The annual stems Wu Earth and Shen indicate the Shi Shen reveals his professional skills (medical craft) and gain recognition. The Shen branch is wealth (pian cai), a favorable element, and its alignment with the month branch Si activates the Heavenly Chef Nobleman and the Lu Shen, implying that through his skill (Shi Shen) wealth and status come. Meanwhile, Shen as a Traveling Horse aligns with the month, suggesting his fame spreads through movement (practice and communication). The chart is Fire-dominant and in need of balance; with stronger metal energy this year, it aligns with the saying fire refines true gold; skills become tools, indicating a breakthrough in his career.
1552
Luck Pillar
辛 Xin 酉 You
Annual Pillar
壬 Ren 子 Zi
Wealth formed by the union of Fire and Metal Ren Water as the key regulating deity Heavenly Noble (Tian Yi Gui Ren) Strong Food God (Shi Shen) due to Fire and Earth Direct Wealth in the major luck pillar
34yrs career

Burning the Midnight Oil, Determined to Rework the Materia Medica

Li Shizhen was deeply aware of the numerous errors and omissions in historical herbals, and resolved to model his work on Zhenglei Ben Cao, beginning the compilation of a new, systematic and rigorous pharmacopoeia—the Compendium of Materia Medica.

Analysis
This year Li Shizhen is 34, in the Zhengcai major luck. The ten-year luck pillar's heavenly stem Xin Metal Direct Wealth harmonizes with the day master Bing Fire, creating a 'wealth coming to me' dynamic, signaling that his talent and aspirations found a concrete, valuable outlet— to write and explain. In the annual cycle, Ren Water acts as the chart's key regulating deity (the Seven Killings). Water can restrain Fire, tempering the fiery energy of the fate chart, making his mind unusually clear and calm, endowing him with extraordinary perseverance and boldness for large, rigorous scholarly work. The annual branch Zi Water is the Official Star, boosting his sense of responsibility and mission. At the same time, the luck pillar carries the Heavenly Noble (Tian Yi Gui Ren), aiding support and inspiration. With Fire and Earth (Shi Shen) very strong, representing thinking, research and writing ability, this year's momentum strongly activates his scholarly talents, enabling him to vow to undertake the compilation of this unprecedented work.
1556
Luck Pillar
辛 Xin 酉 You
Annual Pillar
丙 Bing 辰 Chen
Direct Wealth in the luck pillar revealed Yearly and luck pillars form double harmony Favorable deities present Noble Star appears
38yrs career

Rising to the Hall, a First Glimpse of the Imperial Medical Canon

Recommended by others, he filled a vacancy at the Ming dynasty's Imperial Medical Institute as the 'Director of the Imperial Medical Institute'. Although he served only a year, he was able to read royal medical classics and rare medicinal specimens, laying a solid scholarly foundation for his future writings.

Analysis
This year, the subject is in the Xin You Direct Wealth major luck; the heavenly stem Xin Metal Direct Wealth shows, favorable to the chart. The year Bing Chen and the luck pillar Xin You form a double harmony (Bing Xin merge with water, You Chen merge with metal), a good omen of abundant cooperation, opportunities, and patronage. The year's Chen Earth is moist soil, which can dampen fire and generate metal, triggering Xin Direct Wealth in the day pillar Xu; Chen also acts as a water reservoir, concealing Gui Water (the Official Star), aligning with the chart's needs for Water and Metal deities. The year's auspicious stars include Tian De He and Tai Ji Gui Ren, signaling blessings and the awakening of wisdom. The combined influence of the luck pillar and the year activates latent wealth and official status (career and rank) in the chart, thus providing the opportunity to enter the nation's highest medical hall.
1557
Luck Pillar
辛 Xin 酉 You
Annual Pillar
丁 Ding 巳 Si
Wealth aligned in the luck pillar Annual cycle contains a hidden clash Tai Sui punished and harmed Inauspicious deity exposed in stems
39yrs personal

Resigning from Office, Set on Resolve in the Red Flower Garden

He resigned from the Imperial Medical Institute, returning to his hometown Qizhou. On the northern bank of the Yu River in Hubei, he built a new home named 'Red Flower Garden,' and from then on bid farewell to the official world, dedicating himself to practicing medicine for the world and to research on medicines.

Analysis
This year falls in the last year of the Xin You Direct Wealth major luck; the ten-year luck pillar's heavenly stem Xin interacts with the day master Bing Fire, forming 'Bing Xin merge into water,' a sign that wealth aligns with me and the wealth pattern rises. However, the annual Ding Si year and the month pillar Ding Si form a hidden clash, stirring fire in the chart; the Ding Fire as the Rob Wealth star appears as an inauspicious deity. Fire旺 suppresses Metal, hindering the wealth energy brought by luck pillar; and the year's Si and the age's Yin form Yin-Si mutual punishment and harm, signaling punishment Tai Sui and harm Tai Sui, causing changes in relationships and environment. This matches resigning from the official post (office relationships) and returning home (environment change). The chart shows Fire blazing and Earth drying; metal and water are the favorable adjustments. The fire is even stronger; the official environment (fire as rival, representing colleagues) is no longer suitable; turning home to focus on medical research (Shi Shen and Pi Yin representing skills and learning) is a wise move in line with fate, avoiding misfortune.
1558
Luck Pillar
壬 Ren 戌 Xu
Annual Pillar
戊 Wu 午 Wu
Entered the Ren-Xu ten-year luck cycle Eating God energy manifests to generate wealth Fire element gains ground (favorable Fire location) General Star appears (leadership/authority)
40yrs career

Dongbi Hall Established; Healing the World with Medicine, Opening a New Chapter

In his hometown of Qizhou, he founded 'Dongbi Hall', officially registered to practice medicine and as a place dedicated to scholarly writing, named after his own studio name, signaling the start of a new chapter in independent medical practice and scholarly research.

Analysis
This year marks his entry into the Ren-Xu ten-year cycle, with Ren water's Seven Killings as the key adjustment deity, signaling a career breakthrough and establishment of authority. The annual Wu-Wu year brings the Eating God to the fore, and the Three-Fire formation across year, month, and hour makes fire energy very strong. Fire is a hindering element in this year, but the Eating God (Earth) can dissipate fire to generate wealth, and the General Star enters the chart, boosting leadership and cohesion in the profession. The founding of Dongbi Hall aligns with the career-opening pressures and opportunities brought by Ren water’s Seven Killings, turning旺 energy into tangible achievements (wealth) through scholarship and skill, as he forges an independent path to realize talent and world-benefiting ideals.
1565
Luck Pillar
壬 Ren 戌 Xu
Annual Pillar
乙 Yi 丑 Chou
Seven Killings in the chart Eating God gains ground Hua Gai star stirs Adjusting deity in use National seal noble person
47yrs career

Trekking the Green Mountains in Search of Hundreds of Herbs

To revise the Compendium of Materia Medica, Li Shizhen traveled extensively to Huguang, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu and other places since the 44th year of Jiajing, penetrating famous mountains and rivers, collecting medicinal specimens, visiting traditional healers and common people, to accumulate first-hand data for his writing.

Analysis
This year sits in the Ren-Xu ten-year cycle; the ten-year stem Ren water with Seven Killings is the chart’s crucial adjusting deity, cooling the fiery energy to unfold his pattern with expanded vision and action. The annual Yin Wood (正印) manifests, indicating study, research, and reputation; the Earthly Branch Chou with Hurting Officer and Xu's Eating God in mutual punishment sparks exploration, practice, and innovation. Eating God and Hurting Officer symbolize craft, study, and expression; their clash motivates going beyond books to verify by doing. Encountering the 'National Seal' noble person suggests official or authoritative support aligning with field study and rigorous writing. The Xu Earth in the ten-year cycle forms the Hua Gai (Noble Star); the annual Chou Earth acts as a Gold Treasury, with the Hua Gai energizing the Gold Treasury, fitting deep-field studies among mountains and plants to refine knowledge.
1577
Luck Pillar
癸 Gui 亥 Hai
Annual Pillar
丁 Ding 丑 Chou
Gui Hai ten-year cycle Zheng Guan exposes itself Three Water Meetings Heavenly Yi Gui Ren Ci Guan
59yrs career

Consolidation of Extraordinary Meridians: Medical Path Reaches Peak, Erecting a Monument

Around 1577, Li Shizhen authored 'The Study of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians', systematically verifying the pathways and indications of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, greatly advancing traditional Chinese meridian theory and marking a milestone in his scholarly career.

Analysis
This year is the final year of the Gui-Hai ten-year cycle; the ten-year pillar’s Gui Water appears as the essential Zheng Guan (proper official) adjusting deity, signaling an elevation of career structure and social status. The annual Ding-Chou, together with the hour pillar and the Hai-Zi-Chou three-water meeting, concentrates the Guan Sha (official-kill) energy to a peak, bringing career momentum to its height. The blessings of Tian Yi Gui Ren and Ci Guan indicate scholarly works are likely to gain official recognition and elite connections. The annual Chou Earth aligns with the hour pillar’s water, triggering the hour pillar and suggesting that lifelong learning (hour pillar Jia-Wu with the Yin star and Yang Ren, governing thought and inquiry) can be systematically summarized and published. Although the year's Ding Fire indicates some energy drain, the overall strong Guan-Sha Water balance counteracts the chart’s excessive Fire, enabling breakthroughs and authoritative achievements in his field.
1578
Luck Pillar
甲 Jia 子 Zi
Annual Pillar
戊 Wu 寅 Yin
Fortune cycle and annual luck aligned Favorable element revealed in the stems Literary patron Inner reflection triggers a breakthrough
60yrs career

Twenty-seven years of toil bear fruit; the first draft of the Compendium of Materia Medica published

After 27 years of relentless effort, Li Shizhen completed the 52-volume draft of the Compendium of Materia Medica. This monumental work is vast in scope, listing 1,892 medicines with more than ten thousand prescriptions and a thousand illustrations. It is the culmination of his lifelong labor, securing his lasting place in the history of medicine.

Analysis
This year falls in the last phase of the癸亥 Great Fortune (1569–1578). The heavenly stem癸水 as the official star emerges, precisely the kind of official-noble combination the Jian Lu pattern requires to elevate his career and social standing. The yearly stem戊寅 combines with癸水 to form 戊癸合火, meaning the long years of study coalesce into a fiery passion and achievement. The Earthly Branches寅亥 conjoin to form the Wood印 star, symbolizing documents, scholarship, and research; the water-wood synergy greatly nourishes his scholarly depth and breadth. The year's戊寅伏吟 activates the 食神 and 偏印 in the year pillar, a sign of refining early accumulations and thoughts into the final manuscript. Moreover, the Fortune encounters the词馆神, underscoring the power of writing; all factors point to the birth of a great scholarly work, a peak of talent realized in literary achievement.
1593
Luck Pillar
乙 Yi 丑 Chou
Annual Pillar
癸 Gui 巳 Si
Annual luck aligns with official prestige Prosperity star returns to its position Tai Sui clashes and harms health Fire is extremely vigorous
76yrs personal

A Generation's Medical Sage, Soul Returns to Yuhu

In Wanli 21st year of the Ming dynasty, Li Shizhen died in his hometown Qizhou at the age of 76. His life’s work crystallized in the Compendium of Materia Medica; his tomb lies on the southeast shore of Yuhu in Qizhou, marking his final rest from healer to immortal.

Analysis
That year Li Shizhen entered the final phase of乙丑正印大运, with the yearly stem癸巳. The癸水 official star shines through, aligning with the stems of year and month to signify that life’s achievements and renown are brought to final confirmation. The earthly branch巳 Fire is the day master丙 Fire’s Lu Shen (Prosperity/Rank star); its appearance signals a return of life energy and culmination. However,巳 Fire clashes with寅 Wood, bringing Tai Sui clash and harm—health may be compromised and foundations may weaken. The day master丙 Fire is exceptionally旺, so needed are water elements (Ren and Gui) to temper. The year’s癸水, though favorable, is weak, like a cup of water against a blazing fire, insufficient to counter the strong fire of the natal chart, the Great Fortune, and the yearly旺. Fire too旺 scorches metal (lungs) and consumes water (kidneys), affecting vitality. The丑 Earth in the fortune pillar is a metal treasury that could dull fire to generate metal, but the year’s巳 Fire generates earth, intensifying heat and dryness. Overall, this year features a favorable element appearing but unable to restrain the inauspicious one; the旺火 completes its mission (Lu Shen returns to position, fame via official status) yet exhausts life energy, consistent with the omen of death.
1596
Luck Pillar
乙 Yi 丑 Chou
Annual Pillar
丙 Bing 申 Shen
Positive-seal great fortune in full swing Food God reveals itself Traveling horse star meets a union Blessings and Wen Chang star illuminate culture
78yrs career

Lifelong Labors Bear Fruit; The Jinling Edition of the Great Work Published

Three years after Li Shizhen’s death, his lifelong work Compendium of Materia Medica was presented to the court by his son Li Jianyuan but failed to win imperial approval. It was later printed in Nanjing, funded by Jinling bookseller Hu Chenglong, earning the edition the nickname Jinling Edition. This medical giant thus finally saw official publication.

Analysis
That year Li Shizhen reached the last year of乙丑正印大运; the乙木正印 reveals the banner of fame, documents, and legacy. The yearly stem丙申 features丙 Fire as a companion star but the申金 is a favorable 偏财, and within 申 there is 壬水七杀, a helpful regulating star. The申金 harmonizes with 月巳 Fire, forming a 宾 conjunction that moves the monthly 驿马 and wealth star, meaning changes and outcomes from writings and scholarship were realized. At the same time, Wen Chang Nobleman and Fu Xing Nobleman converge, indicating strong literary fortune and blessings; though the subject has passed, his life's work can be published, a perfect blend of the fortune's 正印 signifying fame and inheritance and the year's Wen Chang and Fu Xing blessings governing cultural achievement. The Year pillar寅 Wood clashes with the flowing year申 Metal, stirring ancestral roots and foundations, symbolizing this monumental work's impact on traditional medicine and its reforms.

FAQ

How does the 丙 Day Master explain Li Shizhen's achievements?
As a 丙 (Yang Fire) Day Master, his chart emphasizes creative expression and influential output. The dominant 食神 energy channels intellectual activity into tangible works, explaining his encyclopedic compilation and methodical corrections.
Why did Li Shizhen fail the imperial exams several times?
The chart shows limited Water and a configuration favoring independent scholarship rather than bureaucratic patronage. Periods governed by 劫财/比肩 encouraged competition and persistence, but lacked steady 正印/水 support for exam success and political backing.
What role did the Luck Pillars (大运) play in his life events?
Youth 大运 emphasized peer competition and skill-building; mid-life 大运 such as 辛酉 (正财) and 壬戌 (七杀) correspond to official appointments and intense challenges; later 甲子/乙丑 supported scholarly consolidation and publication activity.
Does the Bazi indicate why he preferred field investigation over court medicine?
Yes. The strong 食神 and Fire-Earth focus supports empirical, hands-on work and correction of texts, while weak Water and intermittent official-support elements made sustained court status less likely, pushing him toward independent field research.
What can modern readers learn from this Bazi reading?
The chart models how a personality structured for creation and correction can achieve lasting legacy outside formal institutions. It highlights matching career path to inherent 五行/十神 strengths—valuing empirical rigor over political success.

Explore More

Cantian AI offers deep personal BaZi analysis beyond celebrity cases.

View More Cases Get My Report