How Da Liu Ren Works — The Three Plates and Twelve Heavenly Generals
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” — Sun Tzu
Da Liu Ren’s strength lies in its layered structure — the Three Plates and the Twelve Heavenly Generals. This combination allows practitioners to see not only the outcome of events, but also the precise timing, hidden motives, and the underlying forces at play.
If you are new to this system, start with our What is Da Liu Ren? and History of Da Liu Ren before diving into this technical overview.
The Three Plates
Every Da Liu Ren chart is built from three rotating layers, known as Plates. Each represents a perspective in the unfolding of events:
- Heaven Plate — Symbolizes cosmic influences and overarching tendencies. It reveals the “weather” of the situation at a universal level.
- Earth Plate — Reflects the environmental conditions, tangible constraints, and situational context. This is the terrain you must navigate.
- Human Plate — Represents the actors, their intentions, and their capacity to act. It’s where agency, strategy, and decision-making reside.
The interplay between these Plates often uncovers contradictions — moments where human ambition clashes with environmental limits, or where cosmic timing overrides human plans.
The Twelve Heavenly Generals
Overlaying the Plates are the Twelve Heavenly Generals — symbolic archetypes that influence the tone, nature, and outcome of the events in question.
Each General has unique attributes: some bring speed, others caution; some foster cooperation, others sow discord. Together, they color the interpretation of a chart and add granularity to the forecast.
In practical use, the Generals indicate the style of the actors involved and the quality of the opportunities or threats present.
Reading a Chart
To read a Da Liu Ren chart effectively, a practitioner considers:
- The alignment and relationship of the Three Plates.
- The influence and position of the Twelve Generals.
- The specific time segment (double hour) in which the reading is cast.
From these elements, patterns emerge — revealing timing windows, favorable alignments, and hidden obstacles that would be invisible to other systems.
Applications of the Structure
- Business: Pinpointing the most advantageous negotiation time.
- Relationships: Testing sincerity and readiness for commitments.
- Travel: Identifying safer departure hours and routes.
For tailored guidance based on a full Da Liu Ren reading, book a consultation.
Learn More
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