In BaZi (Four Pillars of Destiny) calculations, the **start of a new day** is a topic debated among practitioners due to differing interpretations of classical texts and modern adaptations. Here’s a synthesis of perspectives, historical context, and practical considerations:
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### **1. Traditional View: The Day Begins at 23:00 (11 PM)**
- **Astronomical Basis**:
The traditional Chinese calendar divides the day into 12 two-hour periods (時辰 *Shi Chen*), each governed by a zodiac animal. The first Shi Chen, **Zi (子, Rat)**, spans **11 PM to 1 AM**. This marks the transition from the peak of Yin (midnight darkness) to the birth of Yang (emerging light).
- *Reasoning*: Ancient Chinese observed midnight (子時 *Zi Shi*) as the "true midnight," but the **day technically begins at 11 PM**, aligning with the **solar term system** and the cyclical flow of Qi.
- **Classical Texts**:
Historical manuals like 《淵海子平》(*Yuan Hai Zi Ping*) and 《三命通會》(*San Ming Tong Hui*) root the day’s start in the **Zi hour (11 PM–1 AM)**. This reflects the Daoist concept of Yin-Yang transition, where Qi shifts at 11 PM, not the Gregorian midnight.
- **Practical Application**:
For example, a person born at **12:30 AM** would belong to the **next day’s pillars** in BaZi, even though Gregorian calendars label it as the same day until midnight.
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### **2. Modern Adaptation: Midnight (00:00)**
- **Gregorian Calendar Influence**:
Some contemporary practitioners, especially in regions using Western timekeeping, argue for aligning the BaZi day with **midnight (00:00)**. This simplifies conversion for modern birth records.
- *Criticism*: Critics argue this divorces BaZi from its foundational tie to **natural Qi cycles** and solar terms.
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### **3. Historical Context**
- **Ancient China**:
Timekeeping relied on sundials, water clocks, and astronomical markers (e.g., the position of the Big Dipper). The **Zi hour (11 PM)** was considered the "seed" of the new day, symbolizing the rebirth of Yang energy (like the winter solstice in the annual cycle).
- **Cultural Shifts**:
During the Qing Dynasty and later Republican era, Western timekeeping introduced midnight as a day’s start, causing confusion. However, classical BaZi scholars maintained the **11 PM demarcation** to preserve the system’s integrity.
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### **4. Practical Considerations**
- **Accuracy in Birth Time**:
If a birth time is near midnight or 11 PM, practitioners often calculate charts for **both possibilities** to check which aligns better with the individual’s life events.
- **Time Zones and Daylight Saving**:
Modern calculations must adjust for local solar time (True Local Time) and daylight saving, as BaZi is rooted in **solar, not political, time**.
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### **5. My Perspective**
From experience and study of classical texts:
- **The day starts at 11 PM** (Zi hour) in authentic BaZi practice.
- This aligns with the **natural Yin-Yang cycle** and ensures consistency with solar terms and the 12 Shi Chen.
- However, practitioners should clarify their school’s methodology. Some lineages (e.g., certain Taiwanese or Hong Kong schools) use midnight for simplicity, but this is a modern compromise.
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### **Conclusion**
Stick with **23:00 (11 PM)** unless your teacher or lineage explicitly follows midnight. The historical and energetic rationale for 11 PM is robust, but always cross-verify with life events when uncertain. The key is consistency within your chosen system. If working with a client, transparently explain your approach to avoid confusion.
For deeper study, explore texts like 《子平真詮》(*Zi Ping Zhen Quan*) or consult masters trained in classical methodologies.
Topic: beginning of new day (Read 3271 times)