The 12 life stages (Qi phases) – from birth to rest
Published on October 22, 2026
Like a person, every force goes through a life cycle: it is born, grows, peaks, declines, rests and begins again. The twelve life stages describe at which point of this cycle an element stands in a particular place – and thus how much strength is available there.
The twelve stages
Growth (長生), bath (沐浴), cap and belt (冠帶), taking office (臨官), peak (帝旺), decline (衰), sickness (病), death (死), storage (墓), extinction (絕), conception (胎) and nurture (養). The names are images: “death” does not mean danger to life but that a force comes to rest.
Stages in your own chart
You look at which stage the day master is in within each of the four pillars. If it is at its peak in the day pillar, you bring a lot of strength to partnership and self-image; if it is in storage in the year pillar, the strength rests rather in one's origin. The pillars themselves also have their own stage.
The life curve
Through the luck decades a curve emerges: in which periods of life your strength rises and when you rather gather. This helps to place big plans in strong phases and use quiet phases for learning and preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the stage “death” dangerous?+
No. It describes a resting force – good for reflection and completion, less so for feats of strength.
Which stage is the best?+
Peak and taking office bring the most strength – but also excess. For a strong day master quieter stages can be better.
Where do I see my stages?+
In the Jia Zi tool under “life curve”: the stages in your chart are marked and clickable.