Meaning of the Gyeongsin (庚申) Ilju — Personality, Structure, and Explanation of the 57th Sexagenary Cycle
The Gyeongsin (庚申) Ilju is the 57th pillar of the sexagenary cycle. It is a combination where the Heavenly Stem Gyeong (庚), representing hard iron or raw ore (Yang Metal), sits upon the Earthly Branch Sin (申), representing the clever monkey (Metal). It resembles an iron peak atop a rocky mountain—a form where hardness reaches its zenith.
At a Glance
| Category | Content |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 庚申 |
| Composition | Heavenly Stem Gyeong (Yang Metal) + Earthly Branch Sin (Monkey, Metal) |
| Nabeum Five Elements | Seokryumok (石榴木, Pomegranate Wood) |
| Ilji 12 Stages of Life | Geonrok (建祿, Established Prosperity) |
| Ilji Ten Gods (Main Qi) | Bigyeon (比肩, Companion) |
| Relevant Years | 1980 · 2040 |
| Key Keywords | Decisiveness, Action-oriented, Loyalty |
Personality and Temperament
The Gyeongsin Ilju is an action-oriented type with exceptional decisiveness and drive. Because it sits in the position of Geonrok (Established Prosperity), they forge their own paths and protect others through sheer loyalty.
- Strengths: Rapid decision-making, strong execution, and unwavering loyalty.
- Points of Caution: They tend to act before they think. It is recommended to add the wisdom of flexibility to their linear strength.
Reading the Structure — Myeongri Interpretation
The Gyeong (庚) Day Master sits on the Sin (申) Earthly Branch. Based on the main qi of the daily branch, the Ten God is Bigyeon (比肩) and the 12 Stages of Life is Geonrok (建祿). Bigyeon is the star of the ego and subjectivity—the power to stand on one’s own is supported by the daily branch. As it is a Geonrok position, it is a robust structure that relies on personal competence for self-reliance.
In terms of Nabeum Five Elements, it belongs to Seokryumok (Pomegranate Wood), a classification frequently used in traditional Myeongri to group pillars sharing the same Nabeum.
Learn More
- Curious about your own Ilju?: Saju Calculator (oiyo.net)
- View all Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, Ten Gods, and 12 Stages of Life: Saju Encyclopedia
- View all 60 pillars of the sexagenary cycle: Sexagenary Cycle Ilju Dictionary
While the Ilju is the central axis of the Four Pillars, it represents only two of the eight characters. Its manifestation varies significantly depending on the relationship with the remaining characters, so please use this as a starting point for self-understanding.
OIYO Research Team
Research TeamThe OIYO research team structures material from psychometric scales, statistics, and academic literature. We name both the popular framing and its scholarly limits, so each guide works as a tool for reflection rather than a verdict.