Meaning of the Jeong-Chuk (丁丑) Pillar — Personality, Structure, and the 14th Sexagenary Cycle
The Jeong-Chuk (丁丑) pillar is the 14th in the sexagenary cycle. It represents the Heavenly Stem Jeong (丁), a yin fire symbolizing a candle lighting the darkness, sitting atop the Earthly Branch Chuk (丑), the ox, which represents silent endurance. It is the image of an ember that does not go out inside a brazier during a long winter night—a symbol of subtle yet persistent warmth.
At a Glance
| Category | Content |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 丁丑 |
| Composition | Heavenly Stem Jeong (Yin Fire) + Earthly Branch Chuk (Ox, Earth) |
| Nabeum (Melodic Element) | Ganhasu (澗下水, Water under the stream) |
| Twelve Stages of Life (Ilji) | Grave (墓) |
| Ten Gods (Main Qi) | Eating God (食神) |
| Corresponding Years | 1937 · 1997 |
| Key Keywords | Dedication, Technical Skill, Perseverance |
Personality and Temperament
The Jeong-Chuk pillar represents a dedicated, artisan-like personality with great manual dexterity. They silently fulfill their duties and are deeply loyal to those they care about.
- Strengths: Consistent talent, technical skill, and deep-seated devotion.
- Points of Caution: They are often poor at expressing affection through words, which can easily lead to misunderstandings.
Structural Interpretation — Saju Analysis
The Jeong (丁) Day Master sits on the Chuk (丑) Branch. Based on the main qi of the daily branch, the Ten God is Eating God (食神), and the Twelve Stages of Life is the Grave (墓). Eating God is the star of expression and sustenance—the blessing of making a living by utilizing one’s talents is embedded in the daily branch. As it sits in the “Grave” stage, it is a structure of management, gathering, and preservation.
In terms of Nabeum (melodic elements), it belongs to Ganhasu (澗下水). This classification was frequently used in traditional Saju analysis, grouping pillars that share the same Nabeum.
Learn More
- Curious about your own pillar? Saju Calculator (oiyo.net)
- View all Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, Ten Gods, and Twelve Stages of Life: Saju Encyclopedia
- View all 60 pillars of the sexagenary cycle: Sexagenary Cycle Pillar Dictionary
While the pillar (Ilju) is the central axis of a Saju chart, it is only two of the eight characters. Its manifestation varies significantly depending on its relationship with the other 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.