The Meaning of Mourning Cloth in BaZi
Mourning Cloth is a BaZi auxiliary star associated with family responsibility, emotional concern, and burdens connected with relatives. Learn its Four Pillars meaning and how it is identified through the Year Branch.
Mourning Cloth is an auxiliary star in BaZi carrying symbolism of heaviness, family concern, and responsibility. The term evokes funeral clothing, mourning, and obligations toward family.
In traditional BaZi theory, Mourning Cloth is associated with family responsibilities, emotional attachment, and burdens connected with relatives.
Mourning Cloth is an auxiliary marker within a BaZi chart. Its presence suggests a tendency to carry more responsibility in family matters or to feel family changes more heavily than others.
It is better understood as a symbol of responsibility and concern than a prediction of inevitable misfortune.
What Is Mourning Cloth?
Chinese Name: 披麻
Pinyin: Pī Má
English Name: Mourning Cloth
Core Meaning: Family concern, mourning symbolism, heavy responsibility
The name comes from the traditional mourning custom of wearing hemp garments.
In auxiliary-star theory, Mourning Cloth is often grouped with Mourning Gate and Hanging Guest, all of which are connected with family affairs, sorrow, and responsibility.
In BaZi interpretation, Mourning Cloth represents a tendency toward family duty and emotional burden. It may appear as care for elders, management of family matters, or a strong sense of responsibility toward relatives.
It does not mean that bereavement must occur.
What Does Mourning Cloth Represent?
- Taking responsibility for family affairs: The person may care for elders, handle family matters, or preserve family traditions.
- Emotional concern: Family events may affect the person more deeply than they affect others.
- A protective sense of responsibility: The symbolism may express willingness to care for and protect relatives.
- Complex family matters: The person may need to handle issues involving health, inheritance, or coordination among relatives.
Mourning Cloth in the Four Pillars
| Pillar | Possible Emphasis |
|---|---|
| Year Pillar | It may relate to ancestors, family roots, or changes in the early family environment. |
| Month Pillar | During youth, the person may assume more responsibility for parents or relatives. |
| Day Pillar | When located in the Day Pillar, it is more directly connected with personal family responsibility and emotional attachment. |
| Hour Pillar | It may relate to concern for children, younger generations, or family continuity in later life. |
The pillar position indicates where the tendency may be more visible. It does not guarantee tragic events.
How to Identify Mourning Cloth in a BaZi Chart
In the Tao & Form BaZi Calculator, Mourning Cloth is identified through the Year Branch, then matched against the Earthly Branches in the Four Pillars.
| Year Branch | Mourning Cloth Earthly Branch |
|---|---|
| Zi Rat（子） | You Rooster（酉） |
| Chou Ox（丑） | Xu Dog（戌） |
| Yin Tiger（寅） | Hai Pig（亥） |
| Mao Rabbit（卯） | Zi Rat（子） |
| Chen Dragon（辰） | Chou Ox（丑） |
| Si Snake（巳） | Yin Tiger（寅） |
| Wu Horse（午） | Mao Rabbit（卯） |
| Wei Goat（未） | Chen Dragon（辰） |
| Shen Monkey（申） | Si Snake（巳） |
| You Rooster（酉） | Wu Horse（午） |
| Xu Dog（戌） | Wei Goat（未） |
| Hai Pig（亥） | Shen Monkey（申） |
If the corresponding branch appears in the Four Pillars, the chart is marked as containing Mourning Cloth.
Main References
- Yuanhai Ziping.
- Sanming Tonghui.
- Xie Ji Bian Fang Shu.
