24 MountainsThe 15-degree language of direction
The classical compass divides eight directions into three Mountains each. These 24 precise sectors determine sitting, facing, chart construction, and the directional detail that a simple “North” or “South” cannot provide.
The compass structure
Direction becomes precise enough to calculate.
Each cardinal or intercardinal sector spans 45 degrees. Dividing it into three equal 15-degree Mountains creates the directional framework used by Flying Star and related classical systems.
The broad directions
North, Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West, and Northwest form the eight trigrams.
The precise facing
Each broad sector contains three named Mountains, allowing a measured bearing to be assigned accurately.
The sitting–facing axis
Every facing Mountain has an exact opposite sitting Mountain, 180 degrees away on the compass.
Complete reference
Search all 24 Mountains.
Search by code, name, degree, direction, element, quality, or opposite Mountain.
North · Kan
337.5°–22.5°Ren · 壬
Opposite S1 · BingYang Water and Kan; flow, career movement, and communication when the chart supports it.
Zi · 子
Opposite S2 · WuTrue North and the central Water axis; boundary care at 352.5° and 7.5° is critical.
Gui · 癸
Opposite S3 · DingYin Water and Kan; intelligence, research, and subtle flow when harmonized.
Northeast · Gen
22.5°–67.5°Chou · 丑
Opposite SW1 · WeiEarth at the Gen–Kun interface; associated with logistics, storage, and grounded organization.
Gen · 艮
Opposite SW2 · KunThe Gen Mountain force; stability, assets, discipline, stillness, and consolidation.
Yin · 寅
Opposite SW3 · ShenRising Wood; initiative, movement, and growth when appropriately placed.
East · Zhen
67.5°–112.5°Jia · 甲
Opposite W1 · GengYang Wood and structured expansion; initiative that benefits from clear support.
Mao · 卯
Opposite W2 · YouPure East; movement, growth, vitality, and the central Zhen axis.
Yi · 乙
Opposite W3 · XinYin Wood; refinement, adaptability, craft, learning, and gradual development.
Southeast · Xun
112.5°–157.5°Chen · 辰
Opposite NW1 · XuEarth–Thunder interface; transition, activation, preparation, and movement.
Xun · 巽
Opposite NW2 · QianWind and Xun; circulation, relationships, networks, and soft influence.
Si · 巳
Opposite NW3 · HaiRising Fire; visibility, acceleration, preparation, and outward momentum.
South · Li
157.5°–202.5°Bing · 丙
Opposite N1 · RenYang Fire; leadership, clarity, presence, visibility, and direct expression.
Wu · 午
Opposite N2 · ZiTrue South; culmination, radiance, influence, and the central Li axis.
Ding · 丁
Opposite N3 · GuiYin Fire; precision, refinement, storytelling, and focused illumination.
Southwest · Kun
202.5°–247.5°Wei · 未
Opposite NE1 · ChouEarth; nourishment, logistics, real assets, and grounded preparation.
Kun · 坤
Opposite NE2 · GenGreat Earth and Kun; receptivity, household governance, care, and support.
Shen · 申
Opposite NE3 · YinMetal–Wood interface; agility, exchange, change, and transitional movement.
West · Dui
247.5°–292.5°Geng · 庚
Opposite E1 · JiaYang Metal; structure, compliance, engineering, decisive action, and cutting clarity.
You · 酉
Opposite E2 · MaoPure West; trade, influence, communication, networks, and the central Dui axis.
Xin · 辛
Opposite E3 · YiYin Metal; precision, craft, detail, refinement, and elegant standards.
Northwest · Qian
292.5°–337.5°Xu · 戌
Opposite SE1 · ChenDry Earth; timing, harvest, closure, consolidation, and retained value.
Qian · 乾
Opposite SE2 · XunHeaven and Qian; authority, leadership, standards, governance, and benefactors.
Hai · 亥
Opposite SE3 · SiWater ingress; flow, exchange, travel, and long-distance connections.
Measurement workflow
A degree is only useful when the facing is correct.
Do not assume the front door is automatically the facing. Read the building’s active side, form, access, light, views, and real orientation first.
Identify the facing
Assess the building’s outward, active, open, and receiving side before taking a bearing.
Control interference
Move away from vehicles, steel doors, wiring, phones, magnets, and other sources of compass distortion.
Repeat readings
Measure at several points and heights. Compare results and investigate unexplained variation.
Assign the axis
Locate the facing Mountain, then identify the sitting Mountain exactly 180 degrees opposite.
Next steps
Turn the bearing into a chart.
The essential rule
Measure the Mountain—not merely the direction.
Eight sectors describe the compass broadly. The 24 Mountains provide the precision Flying Star needs to assign sitting and facing, construct the natal chart, and interpret the property responsibly.