If you've calculated your Korean Saju (사주) chart and want to actually read it, the first thing to learn is the 10 Heavenly Stems (천간, cheongan). They're the alphabet of the entire system. Each stem combines one of the Five Elements with a Yin or Yang polarity, giving you 10 distinct character types. Your Day Master — the most-read character in any Saju reading — is one of these ten.
| # | Hanja / Korean | Element | Polarity | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 甲 / 갑 (Gap) | Wood | Yang | Tall pine, oak |
| 2 | 乙 / 을 (Eul) | Wood | Yin | Vine, grass, flower |
| 3 | 丙 / 병 (Byeong) | Fire | Yang | Sun, bonfire |
| 4 | 丁 / 정 (Jeong) | Fire | Yin | Candle, hearth |
| 5 | 戊 / 무 (Mu) | Earth | Yang | Mountain, large field |
| 6 | 己 / 기 (Gi) | Earth | Yin | Garden soil, paddy |
| 7 | 庚 / 경 (Gyeong) | Metal | Yang | Sword, raw ore |
| 8 | 辛 / 신 (Sin) | Metal | Yin | Jewelry, fine blade |
| 9 | 壬 / 임 (Im) | Water | Yang | Ocean, river |
| 10 | 癸 / 계 (Gye) | Water | Yin | Mist, drizzle, dew |
Gap people stand tall, lead naturally, and feel uncomfortable bending. They're idealists, builders, founders. They prefer big-picture work over fiddly detail. Weakness: stubbornness, can't accept help easily, prone to back/joint problems.
Eul people are flexible, persistent, and excellent collaborators. They climb walls by patience, not force. Strong in art, design, hospitality, and any role requiring tact. Weakness: indecision, dependence on a strong partner.
Byeong people light up rooms. Born performers, motivators, evangelists — they energize teams and communities. Their warmth is generous and unconditional. Weakness: burnout, public mood swings, vulnerability to flattery.
Jeong is a softer, focused fire — like a candle in a study. Excellent in research, writing, mentoring. Their light is consistent and personal. Weakness: easily extinguished by harsh environments; need quiet recovery.
Mu people are the rocks others lean on. Reliable, dignified, slow to move but unmovable when committed. Strong in real estate, leadership, infrastructure roles. Weakness: rigidity, slow to update outdated views.
Gi people are nurturers and refiners. They turn raw potential into harvest — strong in education, healthcare, fine craftsmanship. Generous, but quietly so. Weakness: over-giving, anxiety, perfectionism.
Gyeong people are direct, principled, and physically strong. Excellent in law, military, sports, surgery. They cut through ambiguity. Weakness: bluntness, intolerance of softness, fights they don't need.
Sin people are polished, articulate, image-conscious. Strong in finance, sales, fashion, communication. They look like they aren't trying — but they are, intensely. Weakness: vanity, brittleness under criticism.
Im people think in systems and long timelines. Strong in tech, finance, logistics, anywhere data flows. They adapt to any container yet remain themselves. Weakness: emotional flooding, secrecy, can drown others in their plans.
Gye is the most subtle of the ten. Soft, perceptive, often spiritual or artistic. They feel everything. Strong in counseling, healing, music, intuitive work. Weakness: overwhelm, boundary problems, drift without structure.
Yes — same characters, same elements, same polarity logic. Korean Saju uses the Korean pronunciations (Gap, Eul, Byeong...) and emphasizes the Sip-sin / Ten Gods relational reading more than mainstream Chinese BaZi practice does.
No. There's no "lucky" or "unlucky" Day Master in serious Saju practice. What matters is the balance between your Day Master and the rest of the chart. A Yin Water Day Master in a chart full of Earth might struggle; the same Day Master in a chart full of Metal will thrive.
Stems sit on top of Branches in each pillar. The 10 stems and 12 branches combine in a 60-year sexagenary cycle (10 × 12 = 120, but only half the combinations are used due to yin-yang matching, giving 60). That's the basis of the "60-year cycle" Koreans celebrate at the 환갑 (hwangap) milestone birthday.