Liu Ren Divination (六壬占卜) - A Supreme Art of Time and Foresight
- Mona
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 12
A Chinese traditional divination method for events and situations
The exact time a question is asked determines the outcome
Liu Ren (六壬), one of the Three Styles of Chinese Divination (三式) - alongside Qi Men Dun Jia (奇门遁甲) and Tai Yi Shen Shu (太乙神数) - is a highly intricate and revered system of forecasting rooted in Chinese cosmology. Sometimes referred to as the "Supreme Art of Divination," it is valued for its precision and symbolic depth.
Originating during the Han dynasty and refined through generations, Liu Ren integrates multiple metaphysical frameworks: Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, the Twelve Generals (神将), the Six Divine Spirits (六神), and seasonal energies. Unlike broader systems like Bazi, Liu Ren is event-based and real-time - it offers answers to specific, situational questions rather than general life overviews.
To perform a Liu Ren reading, a practitioner must:
Precisely record the current time and date
Understand the lunar calendar and daily energetic cycles
Use a traditional Liu Ren chart (often displayed on a special board or talisman)
Apply complex formulas involving hidden stems, sky plates, and earth plates
What makes Liu Ren powerful is its practical application. It can provide guidance on marriage, health, legal matters, missing items, weather, or even strategic decisions such as military planning. Historically, emperors consulted Liu Ren before engaging in war or diplomacy. Today, it is used to resolve intricate personal and professional dilemmas with remarkable clarity.
Liu Ren is known for its difficulty and depth. Traditionally transmitted from master to disciple, it requires technical accuracy, study of classical texts, and rigorous discipline. Unlike intuitive divination methods, Liu Ren demands skill, logic, and exact knowledge - making it one of the most advanced and exclusive tools in the metaphysical tradition.
Though less commonly practiced than Bazi or Qimen, Liu Ren is revered among elite metaphysicians. In China and Taiwan, it holds a respected place within Daoist circles, particularly in spiritual guidance, ghost-related inquiries, and timing sensitive actions.
At its core, Liu Ren is not about fate, but about reading the living rhythms of Heaven and Earth - enabling people to make wise, timely choices rather than act in uncertainty.
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