Six Clashes (六冲)

In BaZi astrology, the Six Clashes (Liu Chong) (六冲) is one of the fundamental interactions between Earthly Branches (地支). Six pairs of directly opposing branches that create tension, conflict, and sudden change. The six clashes are Zi-Wu, Chou-Wei, Yin-Shen, Mao-You, Chen-Xu, Si-Hai.

Understanding Six Clashes (Liu Chong)

Six pairs of directly opposing branches that create tension, conflict, and sudden change. The six clashes are Zi-Wu, Chou-Wei, Yin-Shen, Mao-You, Chen-Xu, Si-Hai. This interaction is one of the core mechanisms through which the twelve Earthly Branches (each corresponding to a zodiac animal) influence each other dynamically. Unlike static elemental classifications, branch relations describe active relationships — energies that transform, combine, conflict, or harmonize when they meet in a chart.

Rat-Horse, Ox-Goat, Tiger-Monkey, Rabbit-Rooster, Dragon-Dog, Snake-Pig form the six clashing pairs.

How Six Clashes (Liu Chong) Works in a BaZi Chart

When the branches involved in Six Clashes (Liu Chong) appear together in a person’s four pillars — or when they are triggered by annual luck cycles (Da Yun) or yearly branches — the Six Clashes (Liu Chong) interaction activates. Its effects depend on which pillars are involved: Year-to-Day interactions affect social relationships and public life, while Month-to-Day interactions have a more personal, intimate impact.

The strength of the Six Clashes (Liu Chong) interaction also depends on whether the involved branches are your Day Branch (spouse palace), Month Branch (career/parents), or Year Branch (ancestry/society). Each position modifies how the interaction manifests in real life.

Six Clashes (Liu Chong) in Compatibility Analysis

The Six Clashes (Liu Chong) interaction is crucial in relationship compatibility analysis. When two people’s charts share branches that form Six Clashes (Liu Chong), the relationship takes on the characteristics of this interaction. Some Six Clashes (Liu Chong) combinations create natural harmony and mutual support, while others create productive tension that challenges both partners to grow.

Six Clashes (Liu Chong) in Timing and Luck Cycles

Beyond personality and compatibility, Six Clashes (Liu Chong) interactions are also activated by time. When an annual branch or a Da Yun period branch triggers Six Clashes (Liu Chong) in your chart, it signals a period when that interaction’s themes will be prominent in your life. Understanding these timing triggers helps you prepare for and navigate life transitions more effectively.

The Deeper Metaphysics

The Six Clashes (Liu Chong) interaction reflects ancient Chinese cosmological principles that predate formalized astrology. These branch relations encode observations about natural cycles — seasonal, directional, and energetic — that the ancients mapped onto the twelve animals. The system’s enduring relevance speaks to its accuracy in describing human dynamics through the lens of natural law.