Is Following Structure a good pattern?

There is no universal answer. Following Structure is simply a type of pattern; whether it is good or bad depends on the followed element, the purity of the pattern, and the luck cycles involved. A pure Following Structure can be powerful, but if the pattern is broken, it becomes unfavorable.

How do you distinguish Following Structure from a weak Day Master?

The key is whether the Day Master still has support. A weak Day Master still has root, Seal, or Peer, so Seal and Peer are used for support. In Following Structure the Day Master has lost all support, so using Seal or Peer breaks the pattern, and one must follow the dominant element.

How do Following Wealth, Following Authority, and Following Offspring differ?

They differ in the dominant element the Day Master must follow. Following Wealth follows the Wealth element, tied to money and business. Following Authority follows Seven Killings, tied to authority and pressure. Following Offspring follows Output or Hurting Officer, tied to creativity and expression.

Has Following Structure been scientifically verified?

No. Following Structure is a concept in Four Pillars astrology, a traditional field of metaphysics that has not been scientifically verified. It should be treated as reference knowledge, not as a substitute for real-life decisions.

What is Tòng Cách? | Nhật Nguyệt

Following Structure is a special pattern in Four Pillars astrology in which the Day Master is extremely weak, lacking root, seal or peer support, and must follow the dominant element in the chart.

What is Following Structure?

Following Structure (從格) is a special pattern in Four Pillars astrology. In most charts, practitioners seek to balance the Five Elements and support the Day Master. But when the Day Master is extremely weak, with no root in the earthly branches, no Seal to generate it, and no Peer to support it, trying to reinforce it backfires. At that point, the principle shifts to "following" the dominant element in the chart. This is the core meaning of the character "tòng" (to follow, to comply).

Conditions for Forming a Following Structure

Classical texts generally list several conditions:

The Day Master is extremely weak, usually with no root in the earthly branches or with its root clashed and broken.
There is no Seal element to generate it, or the Seal is neutralized.
There is no Peer to support it, or any Peer present is combined or overcome.
One element or Ten God overwhelmingly dominates, creating a "one-sided absolute force."

If even one condition is missing, the pattern may not qualify as Following and instead falls into ordinary weak Day Master territory.

Common Types of Following Structure

Depending on which element dominates, Following Structure has several types:

Following Wealth: The Day Master is weak, Wealth is extremely strong, and it must follow Wealth. This often relates to money, business, and social dealings.
Following Authority: Seven Killings is extremely strong, the Day Master cannot resist, and must follow it. This links to authority, pressure, and willpower.
Following Offspring: Output or Hurting Officer is extremely strong, and the Day Master follows the draining child element. Often connected to creativity, expression, and art.
Following Officer: Direct Officer is extremely strong, and the Day Master follows the Officer. Connected to career, discipline, and institutions.

Some texts also mention Following Seal or Following Peer, but these are less common and often debated.

Distinguishing Following Structure from Ordinary Weak Day Master

The easiest confusion is between Following Structure and a weak Day Master. Both have a weak Day Master, but the handling is completely different:

Ordinary weak Day Master: still has some root, Seal, or Peer, so Seal and Peer are used to support it.
Following Structure: the Day Master has lost all support, so using Seal or Peer breaks the "following" dynamic and causes harm. Instead, one must follow the dominant element.

Determining whether a chart truly qualifies as Following is therefore a key step, affecting all judgments about useful gods, favorable and unfavorable elements, and luck cycles.

Notes on Interpretation

Following Structure is a traditional topic that has not been scientifically verified. Its content should be treated as reference material for cultural and metaphysical study, not as a substitute for real-life decisions.

What is Tòng Cách?