First, Let's Clarify How the Ti and Yong Hexagrams Are Derived
When you consult Plum Blossom Numerology (Meihua Yishu) about a matter, casting produces a primary hexagram (ben gua) and a transformed hexagram (bian gua). Within the primary hexagram there are six lines; whichever line moves triggers the transformation into the changed hexagram. The single trigram — upper or lower — that contains the moving line is called the Yong hexagram (the "use" trigram), while the other, unchanged trigram is the Ti hexagram (the "body" trigram).
Simply put: the moving side is Yong; the still side is Ti.
The Ti hexagram represents the person asking the question — their situation and condition. The Yong hexagram represents the matter being asked about; in an investment context, think of it as the investment itself or the counterparty in the transaction.
One point many people overlook when casting: if both trigrams contain moving lines, or if all six lines move or none move, the Ti/Yong distinction becomes ambiguous. Traditional schools handle this differently. When you encounter such a situation, it is worth re-examining the question itself — often the question is vague to begin with.
What Does "Ti Yong Bi He" Mean?
In Plum Blossom Numerology (Meihua Yishu), "Bi He" means the Ti hexagram and the Yong hexagram share the same Five Elements (Wu Xing) category or the same trigram image.
The Five Elements (Wu Xing) correspondences are:
- Qian, Dui → Metal
- Zhen, Xun → Wood
- Kan → Water
- Li → Fire
- Kun, Gen → Earth
If the Ti hexagram is Zhen (Wood) and the Yong hexagram is Xun (Wood), both belong to Wood — this is Ti Yong Bi He.
In investment readings, the classical interpretation of Bi He is: both sides are evenly matched, neither overpowering the other. Applied to investments, this typically reads as a stalemate — not a big loss, but unlikely to yield big gains either. The market is range-bound and the trend is mild.
One nuance worth noting: Bi He is not unconditionally auspicious. If the overall hexagram energy is declining and both sides are weak, you have two weak forces meeting — the outcome may be that neither can move. You still need to examine how the month and day pillar interacts with the Ti hexagram in terms of generation and restraint; the Ti/Yong relationship alone is not enough.
The plain conclusion for "Ti Yong Bi He": momentum is balanced, risk is modest, but expecting windfall profits is unrealistic. For short-term speculative questions, this configuration rarely gives a clear entry or exit signal.
"Ti Sheng Yong" and "Yong Sheng Ti" Point in Opposite Directions
These two relationships run in opposite directions, and beginners frequently mix them up.
Yong Sheng Ti: The Yong hexagram's Five Elements (Wu Xing) generate the Ti hexagram. The external investment target is nourishing the querent — wealth coming to you. Traditionally, "Yong Sheng Ti" is listed among the most auspicious Ti/Yong relationships, and in investment readings it generally means the position favors you and it is worth entering.
Ti Sheng Yong: The Ti hexagram's Five Elements (Wu Xing) generate the Yong hexagram. You are nourishing the subject — money flowing outward. In an investment context, this implies giving more than you receive, or feeding the market without the market feeding you back. Classical interpretation leans toward depletion; not a favorable sign.
These two are diametrically opposite. You must be clear about which is generating which. The method is straightforward — follow the Five Elements (Wu Xing) generative sequence: Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood. Identify the Five Elements (Wu Xing) of the Ti hexagram and the Yong hexagram, then determine which comes first in the sequence; the one that comes first is the generating party.
A concrete example: Ti hexagram is Kan (Water), Yong hexagram is Zhen (Wood). Water generates Wood, so Ti generates Yong — this is "Ti Sheng Yong," leaning toward depletion. Reverse it: Ti hexagram is Zhen (Wood), Yong hexagram is Kan (Water). Water generates Wood, meaning Yong generates Ti — this is "Yong Sheng Ti," leaning toward gain. The directional call must be precise; one step off and the conclusion flips.
Common Mistakes in Actual Investment Readings
The most common error is reading only the Ti/Yong relationship while ignoring strength and weakness.
Ti Yong Bi He and Yong Sheng Ti both sound promising, but if the Ti hexagram is being restrained by the month and day pillar and is already weak, then even incoming generation is like a cup of water on a burning cart. Conversely, a strong Ti hexagram that restrains Yong can be a forceful outward strike — in some contexts that is actually a signal to act aggressively.
Shao Yong's original Plum Blossom Numerology (Meihua Yishu) relied heavily on a combined reading of "hexagram feeling" (gua qing) and "object feeling" (wu qing); you cannot determine auspiciousness from one or two relationships alone. Maxims like "Yong Sheng Ti is auspicious" are simplified conclusions with many unstated preconditions.
Beyond that, for something as inherently random as investments, I personally find Plum Blossom Numerology (Meihua Yishu) to have limited predictive value. It is better suited to directional questions — will this go roughly smoothly, is there significant resistance — rather than precise predictions of price movement or timing. Using it as the sole basis for investment decisions is itself a questionable premise, and I would not recommend that approach.
Articles in this column are for cultural and educational purposes only and do not constitute life advice.