In the last two pages, you learned how to assess chart strength — whether a Day Master is strong, weak, or moderate — and how that determines which elements are favourable. You were also introduced to Follow Charts, where an extremely weak Day Master abandons its own identity and follows the dominant energy instead.
Most charts in Bazi fall into the standard framework: assess strength, determine favourable elements, read accordingly. But some charts don't fit neatly into that framework. They have unusual elemental configurations that require a different approach to reading. These are called Special Structures (Te Shu Ge Ju — 特殊格局), and while they're relatively rare, they're worth understanding because they can produce some of the most striking and distinctive life paths.
This page covers the main types of special structures, starting with a deeper exploration of Follow Charts, then moving into other patterns that break from the norm.
Follow Charts (从格) — In Depth
On the Chart Strength page, you learned that a Follow Chart occurs when a Day Master is so overwhelmingly weak — with virtually no support from Resource, Friend, or roots — that it stops resisting and simply goes along with whatever element dominates the chart. Here, we'll look at the specific types of Follow Charts and the conditions required for each.
The key principle behind all Follow Charts is this: when the Day Master has no chance of standing on its own, fighting the dominant energy is futile. Instead, the most successful strategy is to surrender to it and ride the wave. In these charts, the dominant element becomes favourable, and any element that supports the Day Master becomes unfavourable — because support would break the "following" pattern and create internal conflict.
Follow Wealth
Cong Cai (从财格) — "Following Wealth"
In a Follow Wealth chart, the Wealth element dominates. There's an overwhelming amount of Wealth energy — the element the Day Master controls — and virtually no support for the Day Master itself.
This structure often produces people who are naturally business-minded, financially savvy, or socially skilled. They succeed by going where the money flows rather than trying to create their own current. They tend to be adaptable, pragmatic, and comfortable with material pursuits.
Conditions:
The Wealth element must be the strongest presence in the chart. The Day Master must have no Resource support, no Friend energy, and no root in the branches. Even a small amount of support can break the pattern.
Follow Authority / Follow Killings
Cong Guan (从官格) / Cong Sha (从杀格)
In these charts, the Authority element — the one that controls the Day Master — dominates so completely that the Day Master submits to it. The distinction between Follow Officer and Follow Killings depends on whether the controlling element arrives as Direct Officer or Seven Killings.
This structure often produces people who thrive within hierarchies, institutions, or systems. They succeed by aligning themselves with power rather than challenging it. They can be highly disciplined, ambitious, and capable of rising to positions of authority themselves — precisely because they understand how power works from the inside.
Conditions:
The Authority element must be overwhelming. No Resource, Friend, or roots for the Day Master. If the Day Master has even slight support, it may resist the controlling energy rather than follow it, and the reading changes entirely.
Follow Output
Cong Er (从儿格) — "Following Children"
In a Follow Output chart, the Output element — the one the Day Master produces — dominates so completely that the Day Master becomes a vessel for creative expression. The energy flows outward with almost no resistance.
This structure often produces people who are intensely creative, expressive, or talented. Artists, performers, and writers sometimes have this structure. Their identity is defined by what they put into the world rather than by what they hold inside. They succeed by expressing, creating, and releasing energy rather than accumulating or controlling it.
Conditions:
The Output element must be dominant. No Resource, Friend, or roots for the Day Master. Resource energy is especially destructive to this pattern because it would feed the Day Master and interrupt the outward flow.
Follow Resource
Cong Yin (从印格) — "Following Resource"
This is the rarest and most debated Follow Chart. In theory, the Resource element dominates so completely that the Day Master follows the energy that produces it. This can indicate someone who thrives through learning, mentorship, or institutional support — a person whose identity is shaped by the knowledge and systems around them.
Some schools question whether a true Follow Resource chart is possible, since Resource energy inherently strengthens the Day Master, which could prevent the "following" from fully taking hold. This is one of those areas where different schools of Bazi disagree, and experienced practitioners often debate individual cases.
Important Rule for All Follow Charts
The "following" pattern can be broken. If a Luck Pillar or Annual Pillar brings supportive energy — Resource, Friend, or a root for the Day Master — it can disrupt the Follow Chart and cause problems. This is sometimes called "breaking the chart" (Ge Ju Bei Po — 格局被破, "Structure Broken"). When this happens, the person may experience a sudden reversal of fortune, loss of direction, or a period of intense difficulty. The chart essentially tries to revert to a standard weak Day Master reading, but without the structure to handle it.
Conversely, when Luck Pillars and Annual Pillars continue to bring the dominant element, a Follow Chart can produce extraordinary success — the kind that seems to defy the normal rules of Bazi.
Single Element Dominance (专旺格)
If Follow Charts represent the extreme of weakness, Single Element Dominance structures represent the extreme of strength. In these charts, one element is so overwhelmingly powerful that it essentially takes over the entire chart. The Day Master doesn't follow another element — it IS the dominant force, and everything else either supports it or is crushed by it.
There are five classic Single Element Dominance structures, one for each element:
Wood Dominance
Qu Zhi Ge (曲直格) — "Bending Straight Structure"
The chart is dominated by Wood. The Day Master is Jia or Yi, the Month Branch is Wood season (Yin, Mao, or Chen), and the chart is filled with Wood and Water (Wood's Resource). Little to no Metal or Fire present.
People with this structure tend to be idealistic, growth-oriented, and deeply principled. They have a natural drive to expand and develop, like a forest spreading across the landscape.
Fire Dominance
Yan Shang Ge (炎上格) — "Blazing Upward Structure"
The chart is dominated by Fire. The Day Master is Bing or Ding, the Month Branch is Fire season (Si, Wu, or Wei), and the chart is filled with Fire and Wood. Little to no Water or Earth present.
People with this structure tend to be radiant, inspiring, and intensely passionate. They have a natural ability to illuminate and energise everything around them, but can burn out if not careful.
Earth Dominance
Jia Se Ge (稼穑格) — "Harvesting Structure"
The chart is dominated by Earth. The Day Master is Wu or Ji, the Month Branch is an Earth transition month (Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei), and the chart is filled with Earth and Fire. Little to no Wood or Metal present.
People with this structure tend to be solid, dependable, and deeply grounded. They have a natural ability to build, nurture, and sustain — like fertile land that supports everything planted in it.
Metal Dominance
Cong Ge (从革格) — "Following Transformation Structure"
Note: the Chinese characters here are different from the Follow Charts discussed above, despite the similar romanisation. The chart is dominated by Metal. The Day Master is Geng or Xin, the Month Branch is Metal season (Shen, You, or Xu), and the chart is filled with Metal and Earth. Little to no Fire or Water present.
People with this structure tend to be decisive, precise, and strongly principled. They have a natural ability to cut through confusion and establish order, like a blade sharpening everything it touches.
Water Dominance
Run Xia Ge (润下格) — "Flowing Downward Structure"
The chart is dominated by Water. The Day Master is Ren or Gui, the Month Branch is Water season (Hai, Zi, or Chou), and the chart is filled with Water and Metal. Little to no Earth or Wood present.
People with this structure tend to be fluid, adaptable, and deeply perceptive. They have a natural ability to navigate complexity and find the path of least resistance, like water always finding its way downhill.
Conditions for Single Element Dominance
These structures require very strict conditions:
The Day Master must be in its strongest season
The chart must be overwhelmingly filled with the same element and its Resource
Elements that control or oppose the dominant element must be virtually absent
Even a small presence of the controlling element can break the structure
When these conditions are met, the reading follows a specific logic: the dominant element is favourable, its Resource is favourable, and anything that clashes with or controls the dominant element is unfavourable.
Transformation Structures (化格)
Transformation Structures are based on the Heavenly Stem combinations you learned about on the Element Interactions page. Remember that certain pairs of stems combine and can transform into a new element:
Stem 1
Element
Stem 2
Element
Transforms Into
Jia (甲)
Yang Wood
+
Ji (己)
Yin Earth
Earth
Yi (乙)
Yin Wood
+
Geng (庚)
Yang Metal
Metal
Bing (丙)
Yang Fire
+
Xin (辛)
Yin Metal
Water
Ding (丁)
Yin Fire
+
Ren (壬)
Yang Water
Wood
Wu (戊)
Yang Earth
+
Gui (癸)
Yin Water
Fire
In a Transformation Structure, the stem combination in the chart is so strong and well-supported that the transformation fully completes. The Day Master literally changes its identity — the original element transforms into the new one, and the reading is based on the transformed element rather than the original.
For example, if the Day Master is Bing (Fire) and it combines with Xin (Metal) in the chart, and the conditions are right for the combination to fully transform, the Day Master effectively becomes Water. The reading would then be based on a Water Day Master, not a Fire one.
Conditions for Transformation
Transformation Structures are extremely rare because the conditions are very strict:
The combining pair must both be present in the chart (usually in the Day Pillar and one other pillar)
The season must support the new element — the transformation only completes when the environment favours the result
The rest of the chart must not contain elements that disrupt the combination
Both stems involved should ideally be strong and well-rooted
If any of these conditions aren't met, the combination still exists but the transformation doesn't complete. The stems are drawn to each other and weakened in their original roles, but the Day Master doesn't change identity. This partial transformation is far more common than a full Transformation Structure.
Two Element Structures (两神成象格)
In some charts, the entire chart is made up of just two elements in roughly equal proportion, with virtually no presence of the other three. These are called Two Element Structures, and they create a unique dynamic where the relationship between the two elements defines the entire chart.
For example, a chart might contain only Wood and Metal, or only Fire and Water. The reading focuses on the interplay between those two elements — whether they support each other, control each other, or create a productive cycle between them.
Two Element Structures require both elements to be strong and roughly balanced. If one is clearly dominant over the other, the chart likely falls into one of the other special structures instead. When the balance holds, these charts can produce people with very focused personalities and clear life themes — everything in their life revolves around the dynamic between those two forces.
Why Special Structures Matter
Special structures matter because misidentifying them leads to completely wrong readings. If you treat a Follow Chart like a standard weak Day Master, you'll recommend support and Resource — which would actually break the chart and cause harm. If you treat a Single Element Dominance chart like a standard strong Day Master, you'll recommend draining and controlling elements — which would clash with the dominant force and create problems.
The general rule is: always check for special structures before settling on a standard strong/weak reading. If the chart looks extreme — if one element is overwhelmingly dominant or overwhelmingly absent — take a closer look. It might not be a normal chart at all.
That said, it's equally important not to see special structures where they don't exist. A chart that's merely strong isn't a Single Element Dominance chart. A chart that's merely weak isn't a Follow Chart. The conditions for special structures are strict, and the threshold is high. When in doubt, the standard framework is usually the safer bet.
