What Is Wang Xiang Xiu Qiu Si?
Wang Xiang Xiu Qiu Si (Prosperity, Manifestation, Rest, Imprisonment, Death) is a five-tier classification system for the strength states of the Five Elements in different seasons (Month Commands). According to the cyclical rhythm of the Five Elements' generating and controlling relationships, each element occupies one of five strength states — Prosperous (Wang), Manifesting (Xiang), Resting (Xiu), Imprisoned (Qiu), or Dead (Si) — depending on the Month Command, allowing the analyst to assess the relative strength of that element at a given point in the chart.
Meanings of the Five States
| State | Meaning | Strength Level |
|---|---|---|
| Wang | In command, at full prosperity | Strongest (100%) |
| Xiang | Generated by the commanding element, second in strength | Quite Strong (75%) |
| Xiu | Generates the commanding element, draining itself | Medium-Weak (50%) |
| Qiu | Controlled by the commanding element | Quite Weak (25%) |
| Si | Attempts to control the commanding element, suffers counter-control | Weakest (10%) |
Each Element's Wang Xiang Xiu Qiu Si Across the Four Seasons
| Month Command (Season) | Wood | Fire | Earth | Metal | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Yin, Mao months) | Wang | Xiang | Si | Qiu | Xiu |
| Summer (Si, Wu months) | Xiu | Wang | Xiang | Si | Qiu |
| Late Season (Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei) | Qiu | Xiu | Wang | Xiang | Si |
| Autumn (Shen, You months) | Si | Qiu | Xiu | Wang | Xiang |
| Winter (Hai, Zi months) | Xiang | Si | Qiu | Xiu | Wang |
Derivation Logic
- Wang (Prosperous): The element currently in command that month — maximum strength.
- Xiang (Manifesting): The element that generates the commanding element, second in strength due to being drained (e.g., in spring Wood is Wang; Fire is generated by Wood and thus Xiang).
- Xiu (Resting): The element generated by the commanding element — drains the Wang element and becomes weakened itself (e.g., in spring, Wood generates Fire, so Wood becomes Xiu).
- Qiu (Imprisoned): The element controlled by the commanding element, suppressed (e.g., in spring, Wood controls Earth, so Earth is Qiu).
- Si (Dead): The element that attempts to control the commanding element, suffering counter-control (e.g., in spring with Wood commanding, Metal controls Wood but is instead suppressed — Metal is Si).
Application in Destiny Analysis
This system is one of the foundational tools for judging the strength of the Day Master and each of the Ten Gods. Combined with Root Connection (Tonggen) and Stem Revelation (Tougan), it determines the actual force of the Five Elements in the chart. Elements in Wang or Xiang states can effectively play their roles in the chart, while those in Xiu, Qiu, or Si states require Nourish and Support to be activated.