Eight Characters of Classical Chinese Astrology: A Brief Introduction The Eight Characters, also known as Ba Zi, is a traditional Chinese method of astrology that uses a person's birth data to determine their fortune and destiny. The Eight Characters are made up of four pairs of Chinese characters, representing the year, month, day, and hour of a person's birth. Each pair of characters has a specific meaning and is associated with one of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) and one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig). Together, they create a unique astrological chart that can be used to gain insights into a person's personality, relationships, career, health, and more. For example, someone born in the year of the Rat, month of the Ox, day of the Tiger, and hour of the Rabbit would have the following Eight Characters: Yi (wood) Rat, Ji (earth) Ox, Ren (water) Tiger, and Gui (water) Rabbit. According to the Eight Characters, this person would be clever and resourceful, but also stubborn and prone to jealousy. The Eight Characters are widely used in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other Chinese-speaking regions, and are often consulted by individuals seeking guidance and advice. They are also used in business and politics, with some leaders choosing auspicious dates and times for important events based on their astrological charts. While the Eight Characters may seem like a mystical and esoteric practice to some, it is a deeply ingrained part of Chinese culture and has been passed down for centuries. Whether you believe in its accuracy or not, the Eight Characters offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich tradition of Chinese astrology and its enduring influence today.