What Are Hui Tou Sheng and Hui Tou Ke
After a Liu Yao hexagram is cast, a moving yao (dong yao) transforms into a new yao. Between this changed yao and the original moving yao, a Five Elements (Wu Xing) relationship of generation or control exists. If the changed yao's element generates the moving yao, this is called Hui Tou Sheng (returning head generation); if the changed yao's element controls the moving yao, this is called Hui Tou Ke (returning head control).
A concrete example: a moving yao is Zi water, and it transforms into Wu fire. Wu fire controls Zi water — this is Hui Tou Ke. Conversely, if the moving yao is Wu fire and transforms into Yin wood, and Yin wood generates Wu fire — this is Hui Tou Sheng.
The concept itself is not complicated. The trouble is that many people only remember the oversimplified conclusion that "Hui Tou Sheng is good and Hui Tou Ke is bad" and apply it directly, which often leads to flawed readings.
The Influence of Hui Tou Sheng on Yao Strength
The core function of Hui Tou Sheng is to supplement the moving yao's strength. The first reference point for judging its effectiveness is the yao's own level of Wang Shuai (flourishing or weakened state) in relation to the monthly and daily influences.
If the moving yao is already strong and prosperous (wang xiang) in the monthly branch and daily stem, receiving Hui Tou Sheng on top of that is like adding flowers to embroidery — the strength is very ample. In reading the divination, one can consider the matter represented by this yao to be in a dominant and favorable state.
If the moving yao is Xiu Qiu (resting and imprisoned, i.e., weak), Hui Tou Sheng takes on a different meaning. In this case, it acts more like a rescue — the yao's strength is somewhat restored, but the foundation is weak and recovery is limited. A folk saying goes: a weak yao that receives Hui Tou Sheng "can survive, but not thrive" — a fairly accurate description.
There is another situation that is easily overlooked: a moving yao that has entered a tomb (ru mu) or falls into emptiness (feng kong). A yao in emptiness, even with Hui Tou Sheng, cannot truly exert its force, because emptiness is itself a state of ineffectiveness. The effect of Hui Tou Sheng only manifests after the emptiness period ends. This timing factor is critical in actual divination, and many practitioners miss this step, leading to errors in timing judgments.
The Influence of Hui Tou Ke on Yao Strength
Hui Tou Ke is generally regarded as an inauspicious sign, but the degree varies greatly and cannot be treated as a blanket rule.
When a prosperous and strong moving yao encounters Hui Tou Ke, its strength is noticeably damaged but not necessarily fully suppressed. A strong yao cannot be entirely destroyed by control — its power is simply greatly diminished. In reading the divination, one can understand this as the matter in question facing obstacles and setbacks, but not a complete collapse.
When the moving yao is already weak and then encounters Hui Tou Ke, that is truly inauspicious. A weak state means the yao has no reserves to begin with, and Hui Tou Ke pressing down on it further makes it virtually certain that what the yao represents cannot continue or succeed.
One point deserves special mention: if the moving yao is the Yong Shen (useful god, i.e., the indicator of what is sought) and it is weak while encountering Hui Tou Ke, the matter being divined will most likely fail or turn out poorly. But if it is the Ji Shen (obstructive god, the negative indicator) that encounters Hui Tou Ke, that is actually a good thing — the obstacle has been suppressed, reducing one layer of threat to the Yong Shen. Many beginners see the Ji Shen encountering Hui Tou Ke and still worry about it, which is a reversal of the logic.
Common Errors in Judgment
The first error: looking only at Hui Tou Sheng and Ke without checking the month and day. The monthly branch has a fundamental influence on the yao's strength and weakness. Hui Tou Sheng and Ke are corrections applied on top of that foundation, not independent criteria. To say "the yao is strong because of Hui Tou Sheng" while ignoring the monthly branch will very likely produce a wrong conclusion.
The second error: confusing the direction of the Five Elements (Wu Xing) relationship between the changed yao and the moving yao. The changed yao emerges from the moving yao's transformation, and the relationship runs from the changed yao's influence on the moving yao — not in reverse. This directional error is very common among beginners.
The third error: ignoring the yao's state of emptiness (kong wang). When a moving yao is in emptiness, the effects of both Hui Tou Sheng and Hui Tou Ke are diminished or temporarily suspended. There is also a distinction between Xun Kong (emptiness within the cycle) and Dong Kong (the yao moves into emptiness) — in the latter case, the yao's function is even harder to assess. I personally hold reservations about conclusions regarding Dong Kong combined with Hui Tou Sheng. In actual practice I have seen cases where the effect only manifested after the emptiness cleared, and cases where it never manifested at all.
The fourth error: failing to distinguish between the Yong Shen and the Ji Shen. The auspicious or inauspicious meaning of generation and control depends entirely on which yao is being generated or controlled. This is the most basic logic in Liu Yao divination, yet it is easy to be misled by the surface impression of Hui Tou Sheng or Ke in practice.
A Simple Framework for Judgment
In actual practice, work through this sequence:
- First, check the moving yao's strength and weakness in the monthly branch to establish its baseline strength
- Next, check whether the day stem generates, supports, clashes, or controls it
- Then look at Hui Tou Sheng or Ke to determine whether it adds or subtracts from the yao's strength
- Finally, confirm whether the yao is in emptiness, has entered a tomb, or has any other special condition
Hui Tou Sheng adds more to a strong yao and less to a weak one; Hui Tou Ke subtracts less from a strong yao but delivers a near-definitive blow to a weak one. Keep this principle in mind and most cases will not be misjudged.
It should also be noted that different schools within the Liu Yao system place varying degrees of emphasis on Hui Tou Sheng and Ke. Some lineages consider their weight to be very high, even prioritizing them over the monthly branch; others hold that the monthly branch is the dominant factor and Hui Tou Sheng and Ke are merely supplementary. I lean toward the latter view: the monthly branch is the broad background, and Hui Tou Sheng and Ke are local adjustments — their levels of importance are simply not the same.
Articles in this column are for cultural and educational purposes only and do not constitute life advice.