Six Harm.Read the erosion before naming the enemy.
Six Harm (六害), or Liu Hai, describes six reciprocal relationships between the twelve Earthly Branches. It is commonly read as indirect friction, misunderstood intent or gradual erosion. It does not prove betrayal, abuse, incompatibility or inevitable damage.
Look for the mechanism of erosion—not a villain.
害 means harm, impairment or interference. In BaZi, 六害 identifies six fixed pairings among the Earthly Branches. The relationship is sometimes called “piercing” because one Branch can disturb the cooperation or combination sought by another.
Constructively, Six Harm highlights where clearer expectations, better boundaries, direct communication and repeated repair may be needed. Its shadow is resentment, indirect conflict, unspoken assumptions or slow loss of trust.
Unlike many catalogue stars that begin only from the Year Branch, Six Harm is fundamentally a Branch-to-Branch relationship. It may appear within the natal chart or be activated when a Luck Pillar or annual Branch completes a pair.
Six fixed pairs. Every relationship is reciprocal.
If either Branch is your reference, the other completes its Harm relationship.
| Pair | Branches | Practical review |
|---|---|---|
| 子–未 | Zi Rat ↔ Wei Goat | Needs, care and expectations |
| 丑–午 | Chou Ox ↔ Wu Horse | Duty, pace and emotional heat |
| 寅–巳 | Yin Tiger ↔ Si Snake | Initiative, strategy and hidden pressure |
| 卯–辰 | Mao Rabbit ↔ Chen Dragon | Boundaries, standards and accumulated irritation |
| 申–亥 | Shen Monkey ↔ Hai Pig | Intent, trust and competing priorities |
| 酉–戌 | You Rooster ↔ Xu Dog | Critique, loyalty and value judgments |
Pair rule: 子↔未 · 丑↔午 · 寅↔巳 · 卯↔辰 · 申↔亥 · 酉↔戌. There is no “forward” and “reverse” version—the relationship works in both directions.
Find the pair, then identify the repeated friction.
Record every Branch
Begin with the Year, Month, Day and Hour Branches.
Check all six pairs
Look for any reciprocal Harm pairing in the chart.
Note the pillars
Context changes depending on where the two Branches appear.
Find the mechanism
Look for observable misalignment, indirect conflict or cumulative wear.
Repair the pattern at the level where it operates.
Make assumptions visible
Ask what each person heard, expected and believed was agreed.
Define the recurring limit
Clarify ownership, access, responsibility and completion conditions.
Track repair capacity
Assess whether both parties can acknowledge impact and change behaviour.
Align incentives
Correct workflows that repeatedly place people or priorities at cross-purposes.
Zi and Wei complete one Six Harm pair.
If 子 Zi · Rat and 未 Wei · Goat both appear, the relationship is present regardless of which Branch is read first.
From pair detection to responsible interpretation
A Harm pair describes tension—not guilt, danger or destiny.
No betrayal claim
The pair cannot establish deception or malicious intent.
No abuse diagnosis
Real safety concerns require evidence and appropriate professional support.
No compatibility verdict
A relationship is not doomed because two Branches form Harm.
No automatic event
A timing Branch completing the pair does not guarantee conflict.
Read pillar context
Where the Branches occur matters more than the label alone.
No single-relation reading
Combinations, clashes, structure, timing and behaviour remain relevant.
Name the friction. Verify the mechanism. Repair what can be repaired.
Place Six Harm inside the wider Branch-relationship system.
Derived Stars Hub
Return to the complete catalogue.
BaZi Knowledge Hub
Place the relationship inside full chart structure.
Clash, Harm and Combination
Compare different relationship mechanisms.
Relationship Architecture
Translate structural insight into communication and boundaries.
Six Harm is a pair relationship—not a punishment.
How do I find Six Harm?
List all Earthly Branches and check whether any of the six fixed reciprocal pairs appears.
Does it use only the Year Branch?
No. Six Harm is fundamentally a Branch relationship and can be checked across the natal pillars and relevant timing layers.
Is Harm weaker than Clash?
They are different mechanisms. Clash is often more visible; Harm is commonly interpreted as indirect or cumulative friction. Context determines significance.
Does it mean someone will betray me?
No. Never infer intent from a Branch pair. Verify behaviour and evidence.
Can the relationship be managed?
Yes. Clear expectations, boundaries, direct communication and consistent repair often address the practical pattern.