How to Set Najia in a Liuyao Hexagram

Overview

Six Yao Na Jia (Liu Yao Na Jia) is one of the most core foundational theories in the Six Yao (Liu Yao) prediction system. It refers to the method of incorporating the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches (Ganzhi) into the Yao positions of a hexagram, thereby endowing the hexagram with temporal and Five Elements (Wuxing) attributes, enabling analysis of generation, restriction, overcoming, and transformation. The name Na Jia originates from the fact that Jia (甲) is the first of the Ten Heavenly Stems. Traditionally, Jia is used as the representative of the Heavenly Stems, hence the term Na Jia. This method was systematically expounded by the Western Han dynasty Yi scholar Jing Fang (京房). After more than two thousand years of development and refinement, it has become an indispensable technical foundation for Six Yao divination.

Origin and Concept of the Na Jia Method

The Na Jia method originated during the Western Han period and was systematically elaborated by the Yi master Jing Fang in his writings. Jing Fang combined the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory with the Eight Trigrams (Bagua), creating a method of assigning Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to the Yao positions. This enabled abstract hexagram images to acquire specific temporal and spatial attributes. The essence of Na Jia is to condense the temporal and spatial information of cosmic operation into the hexagram image, so that each Yao possesses Wuxing attributes, directional attributes, and temporal attributes, laying the foundation for subsequent analysis of generation, restriction, overcoming, and transformation. Without Na Jia, the Yao lines would merely be a set of static symbols, incapable of dynamic fortune or misfortune inference.

Principles of Jing Fang's Na Jia

The core principle of Jing Fang's Na Jia is to use the eight pure hexagrams (Ba Chungua) as the foundation and assign Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to the six Yao according to specific rules. The Heavenly Stems represent the movement of heavenly qi, and the Earthly Branches represent the bearing of earthly qi. The interaction of heavenly and earthly qi in the Yao positions forms a complete spatiotemporal information field. Jing Fang formulated a systematic set of rules for assigning Ganzhi based on the Yin-Yang attributes and directional characteristics of the Bagua. Yang hexagrams receive Yang Ganzhi; Yin hexagrams receive Yin Ganzhi. The four Yang hexagrams—Qian, Zhen, Kan, and Gen—and the four Yin hexagrams—Kun, Xun, Li, and Dui—each have their fixed Na Jia patterns. This assignment embodies the Yi concept of the intercommunication of heaven and earth and the harmony of Yin and Yang.

Na Jia Patterns of the Eight Pure Hexagrams

The eight pure hexagrams are the basic templates for Na Jia. The Qian hexagram's inner trigram receives Jia-Zi (甲子), Jia-Yin (甲寅), Jia-Chen (甲辰); its outer trigram receives Ren-Wu (壬午), Ren-Shen (壬申), Ren-Xu (壬戌). The Kun hexagram's inner trigram receives Yi-Wei (乙未), Yi-Si (乙巳), Yi-Mao (乙卯); its outer trigram receives Gui-Chou (癸丑), Gui-Hai (癸亥), Gui-You (癸酉). The Zhen hexagram receives Geng-Zi (庚子), Geng-Yin (庚寅), Geng-Chen (庚辰), Geng-Wu (庚午), Geng-Shen (庚申), Geng-Xu (庚戌). The Xun hexagram receives Xin-Chou (辛丑), Xin-Hai (辛亥), Xin-You (辛酉), Xin-Wei (辛未), Xin-Si (辛巳), Xin-Mao (辛卯). The Kan hexagram receives Wu-Yin (戊寅), Wu-Chen (戊辰), Wu-Wu (戊午), Wu-Shen (戊申), Wu-Xu (戊戌), Wu-Zi (戊子). The Li hexagram receives Ji-Mao (己卯), Ji-Chou (己丑), Ji-Hai (己亥), Ji-You (己酉), Ji-Wei (己未), Ji-Si (己巳). The Gen hexagram receives Bing-Chen (丙辰), Bing-Wu (丙午), Bing-Shen (丙申), Bing-Xu (丙戌), Bing-Zi (丙子), Bing-Yin (丙寅). The Dui hexagram receives Ding-Si (丁巳), Ding-Mao (丁卯), Ding-Chou (丁丑), Ding-Hai (丁亥), Ding-You (丁酉), Ding-Wei (丁未). The Na Jia of the eight pure hexagrams follows the principle that Yang hexagrams receive Yang Stems and Yin hexagrams receive Yin Stems, and the inner and outer trigrams are assigned different Heavenly Stems.

Na Jia Method for the Sixty-Four Hexagrams

The Sixty-Four Hexagrams are formed by pairing the eight pure hexagrams, and their Na Jia method is derived from the eight pure hexagrams. Each of the eight hexagrams in a palace shares the same inner and outer trigram Heavenly Stems, while the Earthly Branches are arranged sequentially according to the Yao change rules. Specifically, first determine which palace the hexagram belongs to, then use the pure hexagram of that palace as the Na Jia baseline, and adjust the Earthly Branch sequence according to the position of the changed Yao. The position of the world line (Shi Yao) determines the Na Jia arrangement of the hexagram: one changed Yao makes a first-generation hexagram (Yishigua), two changed Yao make a second-generation hexagram (Ershigua), and so on. Through this method, any hexagram can be accurately assigned Ganzhi, giving it complete Wuxing attributes.

Assignment Rules for Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches

The assignment of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches follows strict Yin-Yang correspondence principles. Qian, Zhen, Kan, and Gen are Yang hexagrams, receiving Yang Stems such as Jia, Geng, Wu, and Bing respectively. Kun, Xun, Li, and Dui are Yin hexagrams, receiving Yin Stems such as Yi, Xin, Ji, and Ding respectively. The assignment of Earthly Branches follows the sequence of the twelve branches, moving forward for Yang hexagrams and backward for Yin hexagrams. The inner trigram's three Yao receive three Earthly Branches, and the outer trigram's three Yao receive another three Earthly Branches, totaling six Yao. The assignment of Heavenly Stems reflects the Yin-Yang attribute of the hexagram, while the arrangement of Earthly Branches reflects the flow of time. Their combination gives the hexagram a three-dimensional spatiotemporal information structure.

Role of Na Jia in Six Yao Prediction

Na Jia is the key step that transforms Six Yao prediction from static symbols to dynamic analysis. Through Na Jia, each Yao acquires Wuxing attributes, enabling the analysis of generation, restriction, overcoming, and transformation relationships between Yao. The matter being asked about is represented by the target line (Yong Shen), and its auspiciousness or inauspiciousness is judged by observing the interaction between the Yong Shen and other Yao. Na Jia also establishes a connection between the hexagram and time, allowing the calculation of the expected time (Yingqi) to determine when an event will occur. Furthermore, the hexagram after Na Jia can be compared with the day branch (Richen) and month branch (Yuejian) to analyze the flourishing or declining state of the Yao, further improving prediction accuracy. Without Na Jia, Six Yao prediction cannot be conducted.