Chapter I. Introduction

That is, the year, month, day and hour occupy a pivotal position in traditional Chinese culture. This concept has a long history and is deeply rooted in the wisdom of the Chinese people, embodying the ancient people's unique understanding of time, fate and the universe. Studying the deeper meanings of the Four Pillars not only helps us to grasp the essence of traditional culture more comprehensively, but also provides new perspectives and reflections for modern society.

In ancient China, the Four Pillars were widely used in divination, fortune telling and marriage matching, and became an integral part of people's lives. By interpreting the combination of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches for the year, month, day and hour of birth, ancient sages tried to explore the trend of an individual's destiny and character traits. This time-based prediction reflects the ancient Chinese's deep understanding of the order of the universe and the relationship between man and nature.

With the change of time, Four Pillars culture has gradually evolved into a unique cultural phenomenon, attracting more and more researchers. They not only focus on the application of Four Pillars in numerology, but also devote themselves to digging out the deeper cultural connotation and social significance behind it. As an important part of traditional culture, the research value of Four Pillars lies not only in the retrospection of the past, but also in the revelation of the future.

By exploring the deeper meanings of the Four Pillars, we can better understand the worldview, outlook on life and values of the ancient Chinese. At the same time, this study also helps us to realize how time, as a valuable resource, can be planned and used more rationally in modern society, so as to achieve the common development of individuals and society. Therefore, an in-depth study of the Four Pillars of Culture is not only an inheritance and promotion of traditional culture, but also a useful exploration of the progress of human civilization .

Chapter 2 Basic Concepts and Origins of Columns

2.1 Definition and meaning of column

The Year Pillar, the Month Pillar, the Day Pillar and the Hour Pillar occupy a pivotal position in traditional Chinese culture. They not only represent the division of time, but also contain deep cultural connotations and philosophies of life.

As the first of the Four Pillars, it symbolizes one's foundation and family background. In traditional culture, the Year Pillar, combined with the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, forms the foundation of one's fortune. The combination of stems and branches of the Year Pillar not only reveals the characteristics of the year in which an individual was born, but also reflects the social environment and historical background of the time. Therefore, the Year Pillar is regarded as one of the most important factors in determining one's destiny in numerology.

It represents the characteristics and influences of one's birth month. In traditional culture, the month pillar is closely linked to natural phenomena such as festivals and astrological constellations, reflecting the harmonious coexistence of man and nature. The combination of stems and branches of the Moon pillar not only affects a person's character traits, but also has a close relationship with his career development and family relationships. In numerology, the Moon pillar is regarded as an important factor in revealing a person's inner potential and outer opportunities.

It is the specific date of one's birth and is the most central part of the Four Pillars. In traditional culture, the Day Pillar is regarded as a person's natal epoch, which represents a person's natural talent and destiny. The combinations of stems and branches in the Day Pillar not only determine a person's five attributes and destiny characteristics, but are also closely related to his or her health and marital status, etc. Therefore, in numerology, the Day Pillar is the most important part of the Four Pillars. Therefore, in numerology, the analysis of the Day Pillar is crucial to understanding a person's overall situation.

represents the characteristics and influences of the hour of one's birth. In traditional culture, the combination of the Hour Pillar and the twelve-hour system reflects the ancient people's fine delineation and deep understanding of time. The combination of the stems and branches of the Hour Pillar not only affects a person's behavioral pattern and way of thinking, but also relates to his/her social skills and the status of his/her children. In numerology, the Hour Pillar is regarded as an important factor in revealing a person's fortune in old age and the fate of his children.

As an important part of traditional Chinese culture, the Four Pillars not only represent the division of time, but also contain rich cultural connotations and philosophies of life. Through in-depth analysis and interpretation of the Four Pillars, we can better understand the direction of an individual's destiny and character traits, providing useful references for life planning and self-improvement. At the same time, the Four Pillars culture also embodies the ancient people's pursuit and practice of the idea of the unity of heaven and man, which is of great significance for us to pass on and carry forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture.

In modern society, although technology is changing rapidly, people never stop exploring their destiny and character traits. Four Pillars Culture, as a unique doctrine of fortune telling, is still being paid attention to and loved by many people. Through studying and researching the Four Pillars Culture, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, and provide useful assistance in building harmonious interpersonal relationships and social environments.

2.2 Origin and Development of Columns

That is, the year, month, day and hour, which occupy a pivotal position in traditional Chinese culture. Its origin can be traced back to the ancient astronomical observation and calendar formulation. With the passage of history, the Four Pillars have been gradually integrated into many fields such as philosophy, numerology, marriage matching, etc., and have become an important part of Chinese culture.

In ancient China, people attached great importance to astronomical observation and the formulation of calendars. In order to better record time and predict celestial phenomena, the ancients gradually developed the method of the year, month, day and hour based on the orbiting laws of the sun, moon and five stars, which is the prototype of the Four Pillars . With the passage of time, the Four Pillars were not only used for the scheduling of agricultural and commercial activities, but also given deeper philosophical and numerological significance.

On the philosophical side, the four pillars are closely integrated with the theory of yin and yang and the five elements, forming a unique system of fortune telling. According to this system, a person's destiny is closely related to the year, month, day and hour of birth, and different combinations of the Four Pillars represent different destiny trends and character traits. Therefore, in ancient societies, many people would refer to the predictions of the four pillars in marriage matching and children's education .

The Four Pillars also carry rich cultural connotations and symbolism. For example, in literary works and folklore, the Four Pillars are often used to depict the character traits and destiny of characters. At the same time, the Four Pillars are also one of the important sources of inspiration for ancient literature and artistic creations .

With the development of history, the four pillars culture has gradually been integrated into the daily life of the Chinese people. Whether in rural areas or on the streets of cities, we can see people's inheritance and application of the Four Pillars culture. For example, during the Lunar New Year, people will predict the luck or misfortune of the year according to the year's stem and branch chronology; when getting married, parents of both couples will ask fortune tellers to combine the two parties' eight characters (i.e., the Four Pillars) to ensure that the marriage is a good one .

After entering the modern society, although technology is changing rapidly, the Four Pillars culture still occupies a place in Chinese people's life. Many people still refer to the predictions of Four Pillars to make decisions at important life points, such as schooling, employment and marriage. This not only reflects people's respect and inheritance of traditional culture, but also demonstrates the unique value and influence of Four Pillars culture in modern society .

As an important part of traditional Chinese culture, the origin and development of the Four Pillars is full of rich cultural connotations and historical heritage. From ancient times to the present, the four pillars have been playing an important role in people's daily life, and have become one of the treasures of the cultural heritage of the Chinese nation.

Chapter 3 The Relationship Between the Pillars and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches

3.1 Overview of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches

The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, as important elements in traditional Chinese culture, carry deep cultural connotations and historical values. They are not only the basis of time calculation in ancient China, but also an important basis for many fields such as numerology, marriage matching and name making.

The Heavenly Stems include ten symbols: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, C, N, and K. The five elements of the Heavenly Stems are the five elements of nature. These symbols are used cyclically and correspond to the five elements, reflecting the ancient Chinese understanding and evaluation of the natural world. Each Heavenly Stem has its own unique symbolism, for example, A represents the Yang Wood, symbolizing growth and development; B represents the Yin Wood, indicating softness and conformity, etc.. These heavenly stems are widely used in traditional culture, not only for dating, but also often appear in literary works and folklore.

The Earthly Branches, on the other hand, include twelve symbols: Zi, U, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, and Hei. They correspond to the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac, which not only reflect the ancient Chinese observation and understanding of animals and nature, but are also endowed with rich symbolism. For example, Zi represents the rat, which symbolizes resourcefulness and flexibility; Yin represents the tiger, which indicates courage and strength, and so on. The Earthly Branches also play an important role in traditional culture, and they are widely used in the fields of lunar calendar and numerology.

The origins of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches can be traced back to the oracle bone writing period in ancient China. At that time, people had already started to use the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to keep track of days and years. With the passage of time, the scope of application of Tian Gan and Di Zhi Bian has gradually expanded, not only being used for time calculation in agriculture and commerce, but also penetrating into many fields such as literature, art and philosophy.

The meanings of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are rich and varied. They not only represent the flow and change of time, but also contain the deep insights of the ancient Chinese into the natural world and human society. Through the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, people can understand the principles of the five elements, the intrinsic connection between all things in nature, and the relationship between human destiny and all things in heaven and earth. Therefore, Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches play a pivotal role in traditional Chinese culture and are an important window for understanding and exploring Chinese culture.

The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches also carry the wisdom and philosophical thoughts of the ancient Chinese people. They represent not only the marking of time, but also people's thinking and interpretation of the natural world and the destiny of mankind. This way of thinking and interpreting embodies the unique charm and profound thoughts of ancient Chinese philosophy, and also leaves a valuable cultural heritage for future generations.

In general, as an important part of traditional Chinese culture, the concepts, origins and meanings of Tian Gan and Di Zhi Bian reflect the wisdom and creativity of the ancient Chinese people. Through in-depth understanding and study of Tian Gan and Di Zhi Zi, we can better understand and appreciate the vastness and depth of Chinese culture. At the same time, Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches also provide modern people with unique perspectives and ways of thinking, helping us to better recognize and understand the complex relationship between the natural world and human society.

The influence of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches is far-reaching and wide-ranging, not only occupying an important position in traditional culture, but also still having certain practical value and cultural significance in modern society. For example, in numerology, the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are used to predict an individual's character, fate, good fortune and bad luck; in marriage matching, they are also used to analyze the degree of compatibility between the two parties and the development trend of the marriage relationship. In addition, the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are often used in naming and choosing auspicious dates, reflecting people's aspirations and pursuit of a better life.

The philosophical ideas contained in the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are also instructive to modern society. The concepts of the five elements, such as the principle of phasing, the balance of yin and yang, which they represent, play a positive role in guiding people's life practices and promoting the harmonious development of society. Therefore, in-depth study and inheritance of the culture of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches will not only help us better understand and promote traditional culture, but also provide useful reference and inspiration for the development of modern society.

3.2 Correspondence Between Columns and Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches

In traditional Chinese culture, the correspondence between the four pillars and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches is a profound and philosophical system. Each of the four pillars of the year, month, day and hour is closely connected to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, and together they build a complex and delicate framework of time and destiny.

Let's look at the Year Pillar. The Year Pillar consists of the Heavenly Stems and the Earthly Branches, which are two characters in total. There are ten Heavenly Stems, in the order of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, C, N, and K, while there are twelve Earthly Branches, in the order of Zi, U, C, D, C, S, W, W, N, S, Y, X, H, H.. Each year, the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are paired sequentially, with sixty years as a cycle, known as one jiazi. The combination of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the year column not only represents a specific year, but also contains the five elements of the year's attributes and fortune characteristics.

Next is the month pillar. The determination of the month pillar is relatively complex, requiring reference to the festivals and the use of the more refined division of the earth's branches. In the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, the year is divided into twenty-four festivals, with each month corresponding to two festivals. The Earthly Branches of the Monthly Pillars are closely related to the festivals, while the Heavenly Stems are projected based on the year's Heavenly Stems. Changes in the moon pillar not only reflect the climate changes in nature, but also the ancient people's delicate observation and understanding of the flow of time.

The Day Pillar represents a specific day. The combination of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches follows the same pattern and is usually determined by consulting the almanac or related tools. The Day Pillar is important for understanding an individual's basic character and destiny, and occupies a significant position in traditional Chinese numerology.

Finally, there is the Hour Pillar, which represents a certain hour of the day. In ancient China, a day was divided into twelve hours, each of which was equivalent to two hours of modern time. The combination of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches in the Hour Pillar not only reflects the change of time, but is also closely related to one's fortune in the current year.

The correspondence between the Four Pillars and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches not only reflects the ancient people's precise division of time, but also contains deep cultural connotations. This correspondence is the embodiment of the traditional Chinese culture of "the unity of man and heaven", i.e. the harmony and unity of man and nature, time and space. Through this correspondence, the ancients were able to gain insight into the mysteries between heaven and earth, and explore the connection between human destiny and the natural world.

This correspondence also reflects the ancient people's reverence and respect for the universe and life. They believed that everyone's destiny is closely linked to the timing of the heavens and the earth, and the correspondence between the Four Pillars and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches is the key to revealing this connection. By interpreting the Four Pillars, people can better understand their personalities, strengths and weaknesses, and thus make more informed decisions.

The correspondence between the Four Pillars and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches is not only a unique creation in traditional Chinese culture, but also a crystallization of human wisdom. It reveals the mysteries of time and destiny and provides us with a new perspective on ourselves and the world around us. Through in-depth study and application of this system, we can better grasp the direction of our lives and realize harmonious coexistence with nature and society.

Chapter 4: The Use and Impact of Columns in Culture

4.1 Use of Columns in Numerology

In numerology, the Four Pillars play a pivotal role as the basis for speculating an individual's destiny and character traits. By carefully analyzing the four pillars of the year, month, day and hour, numerologists are able to gain insights into a person's destiny, character traits, and potential opportunities and challenges.

The Year Pillar, as the first of the four pillars, represents a person's foundation and innate conditions. In numerology, the combination of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the Year Pillar not only reveals the year of birth of an individual, but also implies his/her innate character tendencies and natural potentials. For example, a person born in the year A may have leadership skills and a pioneering spirit, while a person born in the year B may be softer and more compassionate.

The Moon Pillar reflects the environmental changes and emotional state of a person's upbringing. In numerology, the Moon Pillar is closely related to a person's family background, parental influence and early educational experiences. The combination of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the Monthly Pillar can help us understand the challenges and opportunities that a person may have encountered while growing up, and how they responded to these situations.

The Day Pillar, represents a person's essence and core personality. The combination of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the Day Pillar reveals an individual's basic character traits, behavioral patterns, and potential talents. For example, a person born on the C day may be outgoing and enthusiastic, while a person born on the D day may be more introverted and thoughtful.

The Hour Pillar, on the other hand, is concerned with one's fortune in old age and the situation of one's children and grandchildren. In numerology, the Time Pillar is closely related to one's career development, social status and family situation. The combination of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the Hour Pillar can predict the blessings and longevity that a person may enjoy in their later years, as well as their status and influence in the family and society.

Through in-depth analysis of the Four Pillars, fortune tellers are able to provide individuals with comprehensive and accurate destiny analysis and personality interpretation, taking into account various factors. This method of analysis not only reveals the opportunities and challenges that individuals may encounter at different stages of their lives, but also provides them with strategies and suggestions to cope with these situations.

The Four Pillars analysis in numerology is not a static prediction, but a dynamic process of observation and interpretation. With the changes in personal growth and environment, the destiny trajectory and character traits revealed by the Four Pillars will be adjusted accordingly. Therefore, when analyzing the Four Pillars, fortune-tellers need to take into account a variety of factors, including personal efforts, changes in the environment, and the influence of others.

Overall, the use of Four Pillars in numerology is a comprehensive and in-depth method of analysis, which not only focuses on an individual's destiny and character, but also involves a number of aspects such as family, society and personal growth. Through this method, we can better understand ourselves and others and be well prepared for future developments and challenges.

4.2 Contribution of the pillar to the transmission of culture

The Four Pillars, i.e. Year, Month, Day and Hour, as an important element in traditional Chinese culture, its deeper meaning and cultural value is not only reflected in numerology and marriage matching, but also plays a pivotal role in cultural inheritance. In this section, we will discuss in detail the outstanding contribution of the Four Pillars to cultural transmission.

In ancient China, people attached great importance to the concept of time, and the Four Pillars are the centralized manifestation of this concept of time. Through the Four Pillars, people were able to accurately record and understand time, and then organize agricultural and commercial activities as well as daily life. This precise grasp and utilization of time undoubtedly promoted the prosperity and development of ancient Chinese society. Therefore, the Four Pillars played a key role in the transmission of time culture.

The Four Pillars are also closely linked to traditional Chinese festivals. For example, traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival and Ching Ming Festival are celebrated according to the lunar calendar, which cannot be formulated without the precise calculation of the Four Pillars. These traditional festivals not only enrich people's cultural life, but also inherit the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation. Therefore, the four pillars play an indispensable role in maintaining and promoting traditional culture.

In addition to its contribution to the culture of time and traditional festivals, the Four Pillars also profoundly influenced Chinese literature and art. In ancient poems, operas, dramas and other forms of literature and art, we can often see works with the Four Pillars as the theme or background. These works integrate the cultural connotations of the Four Pillars with people's emotions through artistic means, making the cultural values of the Four Pillars more widely spread and recognized.

The Four Pillars also provided rich material for ancient Chinese philosophical thought. For example, the doctrine of yin and yang and the five elements is closely related to the four pillars. Through the study and application of the Four Pillars, people gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between yin and yang and the five elements, thus further exploring the relationship between man and nature, man and society. This kind of philosophical thinking not only enriched the treasure trove of ancient Chinese thought, but also provided valuable insights for philosophical research in later generations.

In modern society, the cultural value of the four pillars still cannot be ignored. With the advancement of globalization and the fusion of multiple cultures, more and more people have become interested in traditional Chinese culture. As one of the treasures of traditional Chinese culture, Four Pillars is gradually becoming an important carrier of cultural exchange and dissemination. Through the study of the Four Pillars, people can gain a deeper understanding of Chinese history, culture and social life, and further enhance their knowledge of and respect for traditional Chinese culture.

As an important part of traditional Chinese culture, the Four Pillars have had a profound impact on the cultural inheritance of later generations. It not only plays an important role in time culture, traditional festivals, literature and art as well as philosophical thinking, but also shows its unique cultural charm in modern society. Therefore, we should deeply excavate the cultural connotation of the four pillars, inherit and promote this cultural treasure of the Chinese nation.

Chapter V. Conclusion

After an in-depth exploration of the Four Pillars, it is not difficult to find that it occupies a pivotal position in traditional Chinese culture. The four pillars, i.e. year, month, day and hour, are not only a way of recording time, but also contain rich cultural connotations and philosophy of life.

In terms of basic concepts and origins, the four pillars represent the four dimensions of time, and through the combination of changes in the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, each moment is precisely recorded. This way of recording time not only reflects the ancient people's reverence and respect for time, but also, in the long process of development, gradually incorporates people's understanding and perception of the laws governing the operation of all things in heaven and earth.

Further exploring the relationship between the Four Pillars and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, we find that there is a close correspondence between them. This correspondence not only reveals the intrinsic connection between time and everything in nature, but also has been widely used in the field of numerology and other fields. Through the arrangement and combination of the four pillars, people can speculate on the direction of personal destiny and character traits, this speculation, although with a certain mystical color, but also from the side of the ancient people on the relationship between man and nature's deep understanding.

In cultural applications, the influence of the Four Pillars cannot be ignored. Whether it is in the selection of dates and times for important occasions such as weddings, funerals and marriages, or in the portrayal of the time background in literary creation, the four pillars play an important role. It is not only an important carrier of cultural heritage, but also influences people's way of thinking and values in a subtle way.

As an important part of traditional Chinese culture, the Four Pillars, with their deeper meanings and cultural values, are worthy of our in-depth exploration and inheritance. By exploring the Four Pillars, we can not only better understand the ancient concept of time and philosophy of life, but also find the wisdom and value of traditional culture in modern society.