Glossary

Liuyao glossary

A concise guide to the most common Liuyao terms, written for readers who want the structure without drowning in jargon.

Core concepts
Useful line

The key line that represents the subject of your question. It is often the center of the reading.

Self line

The line that represents you, your position, or your present state in the matter.

Other line

The line that represents the other side, the counterpart, or the external response.

Supportive line

A line that nourishes or strengthens the useful line and gives it backing.

Restraining line

A line that controls or obstructs the useful line and can show resistance or difficulty.

Hostile line

A line that blocks support from reaching the useful line by attacking its source.

Six relatives
Six relatives

A system of relationship roles derived from the five-element relationships among the lines.

Parent line

Often associated with documents, shelter, support systems, vehicles, elders, or structure.

Officer line

Often linked to pressure, rules, authority, obligations, or illness depending on context.

Sibling line

Often linked to peers, rivals, friends, competition, or resource leakage.

Wealth line

Often linked to money, assets, practical resources, and in some contexts a romantic partner.

Offspring line

Often linked to release, relief, results, students, creativity, and sometimes healing or medicine.

Change and motion
Moving line

A line that changes and pushes the reading forward. It often marks an active turning point.

Changed line

The transformed state of a moving line, showing where the situation may be heading.

Advancing line

A transformed line pattern that suggests forward momentum or strengthening.

Retreating line

A transformed line pattern that suggests withdrawal, reduction, or loss of momentum.

Timing and structure
Month branch

The monthly environmental force that strongly affects which lines are supported or weakened.

Day branch

The daily influence that can support, clash with, or activate a line in the short term.

Xunkong

Often translated as void. It can show delay, temporary inactivity, or something not yet landing fully.

Na Jia

The classical system that assigns stems, branches, and relational roles into the hexagram lines.

Five elements

Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water — the core symbolic language behind support and restraint.

Strength

How strong or weak a line is under the current timing and structure of the chart.

Hexagram forms
Primary hexagram

The original hexagram produced by the cast, showing the current situation and its base pattern.

Transformed hexagram

The hexagram formed after moving lines change, showing the next phase or direction.

Static hexagram

A hexagram with no moving lines, often suggesting temporary stability or slower change.

Flying spirit

A visible line on the surface of the chart that may cover or interact with a hidden factor.

Hidden spirit

A concealed factor beneath the visible chart, often used to explain something not yet obvious.

Tomb storage

A state suggesting storage, containment, entrapment, or energy being held and not freely expressed.

From Terms to Practice

See how these terms behave in a real chart

Glossaries help with language. Real understanding usually starts when you ask a concrete question and watch the lines, timing, and structure come together.