Ten Gods in Saju: Understanding Relationships
Learn about the Ten Gods (십신) system in Korean Saju. Discover how these relationship types reveal dynamics between elements in your chart.
The Ten Gods System
The Ten Gods (십신/十神, Sipshin) is a sophisticated system for understanding how different elements in your chart relate to your Day Master. Rather than just identifying elements as “wood” or “fire,” the Ten Gods describe what role each element plays in relationship to you.
This system transforms abstract elemental analysis into practical insights about personality, relationships, and life patterns.
How Ten Gods Work
Every element in your chart is classified based on:
- What element it is relative to your Day Master
- Whether it shares your polarity (Yin/Yang)
This creates ten distinct categories—the Ten Gods.
The Five Relationship Types
1. Peer/Parallel (비겁/比劫)
Elements that are the same as your Day Master.
- Rob Wealth (비견/比肩): Same element, same polarity
- Friend (겁재/劫財): Same element, opposite polarity
These represent siblings, peers, competitors, and collaborators.
2. Output/Expression (식상/食傷)
Elements that your Day Master generates (produces).
- Eating God (식신/食神): Generated element, same polarity as Day Master
- Hurting Officer (상관/傷官): Generated element, opposite polarity
These represent creativity, expression, children, and communication.
3. Wealth (재성/財星)
Elements that your Day Master controls (overcomes).
- Proper Wealth (정재/正財): Controlled element, opposite polarity
- Indirect Wealth (편재/偏財): Controlled element, same polarity
These represent resources, money, and (traditionally) spouse for men.
4. Power/Authority (관성/官星)
Elements that control your Day Master.
- Direct Officer (정관/正官): Controlling element, opposite polarity
- Seven Killings (편관/七殺): Controlling element, same polarity
These represent authority, career, pressure, and (traditionally) spouse for women.
5. Resource/Support (인성/印星)
Elements that generate your Day Master.
- Direct Seal (정인/正印): Generating element, opposite polarity
- Indirect Seal (편인/偏印): Generating element, same polarity
These represent education, support, nurturing, and mother figures.
Understanding Each God
Rob Wealth (비견/比肩) - The Peer
Characteristics: Competition, independence, self-reliance
Positive: Strong will, self-confidence, leadership
Challenging: Stubbornness, rivalry, unwillingness to cooperate
When prominent:
- Strong sense of self
- May struggle with sharing resources
- Competitive in nature
- Values independence
Friend (겁재/劫財) - The Competitor
Characteristics: Aggressive competition, risk-taking
Positive: Boldness, decisiveness, entrepreneurial spirit
Challenging: Recklessness, jealousy, resource conflicts
When prominent:
- Willing to take risks
- May experience financial volatility
- Strong drive but needs direction
- Benefits from structure
Eating God (식신/食神) - The Creator
Characteristics: Creativity, enjoyment, gentle expression
Positive: Talent, appreciation of life, generosity
Challenging: Overindulgence, complacency, lack of discipline
When prominent:
- Natural creative abilities
- Enjoys life’s pleasures
- Good with children
- May need motivation from outside
Hurting Officer (상관/傷官) - The Rebel
Characteristics: Sharp intelligence, challenging authority
Positive: Innovation, eloquence, artistic talent
Challenging: Rebelliousness, sharp tongue, authority conflicts
When prominent:
- Highly intelligent and perceptive
- Questions established rules
- Creative but potentially destructive
- Needs constructive outlets
Proper Wealth (정재/正財) - The Provider
Characteristics: Steady income, practical money management
Positive: Financial stability, responsibility, practicality
Challenging: Materialism, workaholism, conservatism
When prominent:
- Good with managing resources
- Values financial security
- Reliable provider
- May be overly cautious
Indirect Wealth (편재/偏財) - The Speculator
Characteristics: Windfall gains, generous spending
Positive: Luck with money, generosity, business acumen
Challenging: Financial instability, overspending, risk
When prominent:
- May experience financial ups and downs
- Good at spotting opportunities
- Generous with resources
- Needs to balance risk
Direct Officer (정관/正官) - The Authority
Characteristics: Proper authority, career success, structure
Positive: Responsibility, recognition, stability
Challenging: Pressure, constraints, excessive caution
When prominent:
- Respects rules and structure
- Suited for traditional careers
- Seeks recognition through proper channels
- May feel constrained by expectations
Seven Killings (편관/七殺) - The Warrior
Characteristics: Power, aggression, breakthrough force
Positive: Leadership, determination, breaking barriers
Challenging: Conflicts, pressure, health stress
When prominent:
- Powerful determination
- May face significant life challenges
- Capable of great achievement
- Needs outlets for intensity
Direct Seal (정인/正印) - The Nurturer
Characteristics: Traditional education, gentle support
Positive: Learning ability, kindness, nurturing received
Challenging: Dependency, passivity, over-reliance on others
When prominent:
- Values education and knowledge
- Receives support from others
- May be somewhat passive
- Benefits from mentorship
Indirect Seal (편인/偏印) - The Unconventional Thinker
Characteristics: Unique thinking, alternative learning
Positive: Originality, spiritual insight, independent thought
Challenging: Loneliness, unusual paths, difficulty fitting in
When prominent:
- Thinks outside the box
- May have unusual interests
- Spiritually inclined
- Marches to own drummer
Analyzing Your Chart
When interpreting Ten Gods in a chart:
- Identify all elements in your four (or eight) characters
- Classify each according to its relationship to your Day Master
- Note which gods are prominent (appearing frequently)
- Note which are absent (missing from visible chart)
- Consider the balance of the different god categories
Practical Applications
The Ten Gods help explain:
- Career suitability: Strong Officers suggest traditional careers; strong Expression gods suggest creative paths
- Relationship patterns: Wealth and Power gods relate to partnership dynamics
- Personal challenges: Prominent “challenging” aspects indicate growth areas
- Life themes: Which gods dominate tells a story about life focus
Important Caveats
This Is Complex
Ten Gods analysis is one of the more advanced areas of Saju. Full interpretation requires considering:
- Combinations and interactions
- Season and strength
- Hidden elements
- Life timing
Not Deterministic
These are tendencies and potentials, not fixed fates. Your choices matter more than any chart element.
Cultural Context
Some traditional Ten Gods interpretations carry cultural assumptions (especially regarding gender roles) that may not apply to modern life or personal situations.