Mei Hua Hexagram Calculator
Cast by time or by numbers to split the upper and lower trigrams and the moving line, set body and function, list the primary, nuclear and changed hexagrams, and read the five-phase strength and generation-restraint, with the classic line texts.
Time casting
A Mei Hua cast builds one hexagram at a time and the form asks which method to cast by. Time casting works from the present moment or a date and time you set and splits those figures into an upper trigram, a lower trigram and a moving line. The same inputs give everyone the same reading, with no gender input. For birth four pillars, see the BaZi Chart page.
Number casting
Number casting takes two numbers, with a third optional one that sets the moving line. This method ignores date, clock time and city and splits only the figures entered. Mei Hua reads none of the six-line old-yang or young-yin detail and does not set lines by hand, which is why this page has neither a random nor a manual entry.
Body, function and hexagrams
After the cast, look first at body and function. Mei Hua moves a single line, so the trigram that holds the moving line is the function and stands for the matter asked about, while the other, still trigram is the body and stands for the side asking. Once the primary hexagram is fixed, the nuclear hexagram takes the middle four lines as two trigrams, and the changed hexagram is the primary with that one line flipped to its other polarity. Each trigram carries a five-phase element, its strength is graded against the month of the cast, and the generation or restraint between body and function is the main line of the reading.
Trigram images and body-function
The cast lists the method, time or numbers, trigram names and the moving line. The primary, nuclear and changed hexagrams are drawn side by side with body and function marked on the two component trigrams. The reading states the moving line, body and function elements, their generation or restraint, and the month grading of the five phases.
Classic texts and Liu Yao loading
Classic statements and line texts for the primary, nuclear and changed hexagrams come with a modern gloss. For full stem-branch loading with self and other lines, the six relations and six spirits, take the same six lines and cast moment to the Liu Yao Hexagram Calculator.
Time cast and true solar time
The city field only serves time casting: a location folds clock time into true solar time by longitude before the cast moment is fixed, and number casting ignores it.
FAQ
What is the difference between time casting and number casting?
Time casting builds the hexagram from the present moment or a time you set. Number casting works from the numbers you take and computes the upper trigram, lower trigram, and moving line. Both are valid; pick the one that helps you focus.
Where is a hexagram record stored?
A record holds only the Mei Hua casting values entered: the method, the moment behind a time cast or the numbers behind a number cast, the question, and the city if one was selected. The result link rebuilds the same hexagram from that record; no page lists records: the link is the only way back to it and is not shown elsewhere; to keep it from others, do not share it.
What are Body and Function? What if I mix them up?
Body and Function split the reading into host and guest: the Body Hexagram is your side, the Function Hexagram is the matter you ask about. Read them the wrong way round and the direction of the reading flips. The result page labels both; check them against your question first.
What does one matter per cast mean?
Ask about one thing at a time. A specific question lines up cleanly with Body and Function and the moving line; stacking several matters into one hexagram blurs which line answers what.
Does True Solar Time matter for Mei Hua Yi Shu?
Time casting runs on the moment itself. Across time zones or large longitude gaps, set your city so the time is corrected to True Solar Time. For everyday questions within one city, clock time is a fine starting point.
Can I change the question and reread the same hexagram?
Not recommended. A hexagram is a snapshot of one ask. If the focus changes, cast again instead of forcing a new question onto an old chart.
