Methodology & Transparency
Effective: June 20, 2026
1. There Is No Single Right Answer in Saju
Saju (Four Pillars of Destiny) has branched into multiple schools of thought over centuries. The same birth chart can yield different interpretations depending on the school. Differences in body strength assessment, useful god selection, and chart pattern classification are well-acknowledged within the field. This Service does not hide these differences — it discloses them transparently. Every criterion described below is not "the one correct answer in Saju" but a single consistent standard adopted by this Service for coherence. This page distinguishes two categories. First, standard/consensus items shared by virtually all schools (stem-branch conversion, element assignments, generating/controlling cycles, five-state labels, hidden stems structure, etc.) are adopted without naming a school. Second, every item where the standard disappears the moment values are quantified or a method is chosen (score coefficients, positional weights, root multipliers, strength thresholds, time-correction methods, etc.) is explicitly disclosed below with the adopted school, theory, or source name.
2. Adopted School: Eokbu (Suppression-Support) + Johu (Climatic)
This Service adopts Eokbu (抑扶, Suppression-Support) as the primary method for selecting the Useful God, and Johu (調候, Climatic Balancing) as a secondary supplementary method. The Gyeokguk (格局, Chart Pattern) method remains disabled by default due to significant inter-school variance and high risk of automated misclassification. Eokbu: Assesses the Day Master's strength (strong/weak), then selects the element that supports the weak or suppresses the strong as the Useful God. Johu: Suggests a climatic Useful God based on the birth month's seasonal temperature (winter births→Fire supplement, summer births→Water supplement). When the two methods conflict, Eokbu takes priority. The Johu result never automatically overrides Eokbu. This priority itself is a school choice — other schools may reach different conclusions.
3. Ten Gods Counting Criteria
The assessment of excess and absence in Ten Gods groups follows these criteria. Counting scope: Only the 7 positional Ten Gods assignments are counted (5 when birth time is unknown), excluding the Day Master. The Day Master represents "oneself" and is not double-counted as a Companion star. Excess threshold: A Ten Gods group with 3 or more is classified as excess. Absence threshold: A group with 0 is classified as absent. Tiebreak rule: When multiple groups tie for the highest count, the order Companion → Resource → Output → Wealth → Authority determines priority. All criteria above are consistent design values. Other schools may include the Day Master in the Companion count or use different thresholds. Zi-Wu-Si-Hai Ti-Yong (体用) Two-Axis Policy: The earthly branches Zi (子), Wu (午), Si (巳), and Hai (亥) have a unique property where their formal (Ti/体) yin-yang and functional (Yong/用, hidden-stem main-qi) yin-yang are reversed. This Service uses Ti (the conventional yin-yang table: Zi=yang Water, Wu=yang Fire) for the yin-yang balance gauge and Yong (hidden-stem main qi: Zi→Gui=yin Water, Wu→Ding=yin Fire) for Ten Gods determination, never mixing the two without a label within the same output. This two-axis separation policy has no single official standard (Foundation Definition §4a) and is an explicit design solution of this Service.
4. Element Strength Gauge: Per-Element Independent 0~100 Model
The core analysis model of this Service is a per-element independent 0~100 gauge. Unlike the mainstream 610-division method (which distributes element scores within a fixed total), each element has an independent absolute strength unconstrained by a fixed sum. It is structurally possible for all five elements to be classified as "strong." Basis: Adapted from the Andogyun-style 25-point band approach (per-element independent absolute bands, non-sum-preserving), with the Diti Tianshui (滴天髓, Jeokcheonsu) Soe-Wang chapter referenced as classical background for per-element coexistence. This stands in contrast to the mainstream 610-division and Wangdu (旺度, sum-preserving) models. The model choice itself is school-dependent, and whether to normalize (sum-preserving vs. non-preserving) is the top-level fork in the formula. The mainstream fixed-sum approach (610-division) is referenced only as a supplementary distribution indicator, not as the headline identity. Gauge Formula: Each element's strength is computed as a weighted sum of three factors. Strength = (Seasonal Score x 0.5) + (Root Score x 0.3) + (Presence Score x 0.2) The Deukryeong (得令, seasonal power) + Deukji (得地, root power) + Deukse (得勢, momentum) three-factor framework is orthodox Saju methodology (Paljabalchaehae, Japyeongjinjeon). However, the specific weight distribution (0.5 : 0.3 : 0.2) is a calibration provisional value, not a scholarly consensus. Placing the highest weight on the seasonal factor follows the consensus that "the month branch is the single most important variable for strength," but the exact ratio (in the 40~50% range) varies by source. These weights may be adjusted after further grid-sweep calibration and are currently unsettled. Important: The month branch (seasonal power) is the largest single variable in strength assessment, but the proposition "if an element is in season, it is automatically strong" contradicts orthodox Saju doctrine. An element in season can still be weak if it has no roots (rootless) or its momentum is isolated — actual strength is determined by the comprehensive assessment of all three factors: Seasonal Power, Root Power, and Momentum.
5. Wang-Xiang-Xiu-Qiu-Si Score Coefficients
The five seasonal states (旺 Wang, 相 Xiang, 休 Xiu, 囚 Qiu, 死 Si) assigned to each element based on the birth month's seasonal element are a consensus shared by virtually all schools (Diti Tianshui Soe-Wang chapter; Foundation Definition §3). However, there is no scholarly consensus on the numerical coefficients that convert these five labels into scores. The coefficients adopted by this Service are: Wang (旺, Prosperous) = 100 points (coefficient 1.0) Xiang (相, Prime) = 80 points (coefficient 0.8) Xiu (休, Resting) = 60 points (coefficient 0.6) Qiu (囚, Imprisoned) = 40 points (coefficient 0.4) Si (死, Dead) = 20 points (coefficient 0.2) These values are explicit design values of this Service, not a scholarly consensus. Similar quantification attempts exist (Bazi Wangshuai Jingsuan, Wuxing Wangdu Lilun), but some Chinese sources (e.g., guoyi360) have noted these are "one instructor's quantification, not grounded in classical texts." Earth (土) Seasonal Assignment: Earth's prosperous season is assigned to the transitional months (the four Earth branches: Jin-Sul-Chuk-Mi). This differs from the Traditional Chinese Medicine assignment to "Long Summer" and is a school-dependent design choice.
6. Root Tier Hierarchy and Quantitative Multipliers
When a Heavenly Stem's element finds the same element in an Earthly Branch's hidden stems, it is called "rooted" (通根, Tonggeun). The strength varies by root type. The hierarchy (Jangseong-Nok-Wang > main qi > middle qi > residual qi) itself is a consensus grounded in Japyeongjinjeon (子平眞詮) and the Diti Tianshui (滴天髓) commentary by Im Cheol-cho: "长生禄旺，根之重者也；墓库余气，根之轻者也." However, there is no unified standard for the quantitative multipliers that convert this hierarchy into scores. The multipliers adopted by this Service are: Strong Root (main qi of month/day branch, or main qi in 2+ branches) = 1.5x Medium Root (main qi of year/hour branch, or middle/residual qi of month/day branch, etc.) = 1.3x Weak Root (middle/residual qi of year/hour branch, single occurrence only) = 1.1x No Root (element absent from all hidden stems) = 1.0x Transcendence bonus (same element appears in a Heavenly Stem) = +0.1x (not applied when rootless; cap 1.6x) These quantitative multipliers are calibration provisional values and may be adjusted after further grid-sweep measurement. The hierarchical ordering is standard, but the specific score conversion is a design choice.
7. Per-Element Strong/Weak Band Thresholds and Special Patterns
The gauge (0~100) classifies each element into strong, moderate, or weak bands. The cut thresholds are set independently for each element, inspired by the Andogyun-style independent-band approach (each element's band is determined within its own distribution). Earth (土) has notably higher thresholds than other elements because its gauge distribution sits structurally higher (Earth appears in all four transitional month branches' hidden stems); the per-element cuts absorb this structural bias. The cut thresholds were calibrated via a full grid sweep of 17,280 charts (4,320 for unknown-time charts), targeting approximately 22~23% of each element's distribution in the strong band. These cut values are calibration provisional values and may be adjusted after further measurement. Jeonwang-gyeok (專旺格, Special Dominance Pattern): When one element is overwhelmingly dominant and the element that controls it is completely rootless, the chart is classified as a special pattern (Gokjik-gyeok for Wood, Yeomsang-gyeok for Fire, Gasaek-gyeok for Earth, Jonghyeok-gyeok for Metal, Yunha-gyeok for Water). This is based on the Ilhaengdeukgi-gyeok concept from Japyeongjinjeon, but the quantitative thresholds and detection conditions are design values of this Service, applied conservatively (disabled by default). The combination of strong/moderate/weak across all 5 gauges yields 3^5 = 243 character types. Seven special patterns (5 Jeonwang + 1 all-weak + 1 all-moderate) are evaluated as a priority layer. This type identification system is a design of this Service.
8. Positional Scoring Weights and Summation Method
The score weight for each position in the Eight Characters is as follows. Month Branch: 30 pts, Day Branch: 15 pts, Hour Branch: 15 pts, Year Branch: 10 pts, Each Heavenly Stem: 10 pts This positional weighting system must be understood in three distinct layers. (1) The methodology of assigning different weights by position = Patent KR101017211B1 (documents a position-based weighting method; the specific score values and whether the month branch receives the highest weight are not covered by the patent — month-branch primacy is this Service's design choice) (2) The specific score values of 30/15/10 = Published school values from Manselyeok (Ten Thousand Year Calendar) community and Sinbinara (2012) (variations exist in the range of 20~36 for the month branch; these are not the sole standard values) (3) The raw sum total of 1,100 (with time) / 850 (without time) = This Service's design value Unlike the mainstream approach of normalizing the total score into fixed proportions (sum-preserving), this Service does not normalize (non-sum-preserving). This applies the design principle of the per-element independent gauge model (Section 4) to positional scoring as well.
9. Time Correction Policies
Birth time correction determines the Eight Characters (especially the Day Pillar and Hour Pillar) and is the primary reason different Manselyeok apps return different Day Pillars for the same birth date and time. The time correction policies adopted by this Service are as follows. Zi Hour (子時) Boundary: Among the three methods — Night Zi (夜子時), Early Zi (早子時), and Standard Zi (正子時) — this Service adopts the Unified Standard Zi (UNIFIED) method. 23:00 onward applies the next day's Day Pillar. As noted in Korean sources, "there is no definitive conclusion to this day," and the Night Zi split (23:00~00:00 uses next day's Hour Pillar only, keeping the current day's Day Pillar) is not implemented. This choice means the same birth time may yield a different Day Pillar compared to other apps. True Solar Time Longitude Correction: 1 degree of longitude = 4 minutes (astronomical constant) is applied. Birth time is corrected proportionally to the difference between the birth location's longitude and the standard meridian in effect at that time (e.g., Seoul at 127°E during the 135°E standard meridian period receives approximately -32 minutes correction). Some research and practitioners (e.g., KCI Choi Won-ho (2023), Korean Professional Saju Association) recommend applying longitude correction. Equation of Time (max approximately plus or minus 16 minutes): This is a precision-mode toggle. Academic papers (KCI Choi Won-ho, Korean Professional Saju Association) require its application, while most traditional Manselyeok apps do not apply it. For births near hour boundaries, the Hour Pillar may change depending on whether this is enabled. Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time History: Korea's 4 standard time changes (1908: 127.5°E, 1912: 135°E, 1954: 127.5°E, 1961: 135°E) and 12 years of DST (1948-51, 55-60, 87-88) are reflected. These are historical facts based on presidential and cabinet decrees (primary sources) and KASI (Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute) — objective preprocessing, not a school choice. Overseas Births: Correction uses the birth location's longitude, local standard time, and local DST. This follows KCI paper recommendations but differs from some practices that uniformly convert to the Korean 135° standard.
10. Johu / Chart Pattern / Annual Fortune Disclaimers
Johu (Climatic): The birth month's season is classified as winter (Hai-Zi-Chou)→Fire supplement, summer (Si-Wu-Wei)→Water supplement, or neutral (defers to Eokbu). This 3-zone classification follows the orthodox directional combination seasonal groups but does not apply the per-Day-Master precision table, which varies significantly by school. Chart Pattern (Gyeokguk): Automated chart pattern classification carries the highest inter-school variance and error risk. It is disabled by default in this Service. When enabled, the special-pattern cutoff (dominant element score ≥ 770 of 1,100) and standard-pattern classification (based on month branch hidden stem transparency) are both design values. Combination-transformation (Hap-hwa) conditions carry significant classical contradictions (Sammyeongtonghoei vs. Japyeongjinjeon), and even English BaZi calculators handle them as manual settings — automated determination is high-risk, so this remains disabled by default. Annual Fortune (Seun): The annual pillar uses the Gregorian calendar year; the Start-of-Spring (Ipchun) division is not applied. Branch relations (clash, combination, punishment, harm) compare only the annual branch with the day branch, prioritized as: clash > punishment > combination > harm. Combination-transformation of elements is not implemented (display only, no score change). All items above may differ significantly by school. This Service takes a conservative approach that minimizes automated determinations.
11. Lucky Elements: Standard and School Differences
The Lucky Elements associated with the Useful God's element (five colors, directions, seasons, Ha-Do numbers, five tastes) come from a classical standard that all East Asian Saju schools agree upon — there is no inter-school variance. These items reflect a traditional standard, not a design choice, and are therefore not subject to school disclosure. However, the career/field and material mappings are modern extensions of traditional correspondences and include some interpretive latitude. Pronunciation Element (Baleum Ohaeng) School Difference: Of the 5 pronunciation-element assignments, 3 are consensus (Wood=ㄱㅋ, Fire=ㄴㄷㄹㅌ, Metal=ㅅㅈㅊ), but the consonant assignments for Earth and Water are diametrically opposite depending on the school. This Service adopts the modern conventional form (Earth=ㅇㅎ, Water=ㅁㅂㅍ), which is the reverse of the Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon (訓民正音 解例本) original text (Earth=ㅁㅂㅍ, Water=ㅇㅎ). This school choice directly affects name/fortune-related content and is therefore disclosed.
12. Major Fortune Period Theme Basis
Each Major Fortune (Daeun) period's theme (coloring) is based on the Heavenly Stem's Ten God for that period. The Earthly Branch's main-qi Ten God is also displayed, but the primary theme determination follows the Heavenly Stem. Whether the Heavenly Stem or the Earthly Branch leads the Major Fortune theme may vary by school. This Service adopts the Heavenly-Stem-primary convention. The remainder-day handling for Major Fortune age calculation (rounding, truncation, or month conversion) varies by school. This Service adopts the truncation (floor) method.
13. Entertainment Content Notice
All analysis criteria described on this page are adopted to present traditional Saju interpretations as entertainment content for fun and self-understanding. No Saju type or element composition is treated as superior or inferior to another, and no claim of scientific validity is made. This Service believes that transparently disclosing consistent criteria is the minimum honesty owed to its users. Every design value is "a consistent standard," not "the right answer."