Sipsin is a sorting centered on the self

Among the eight characters of a chart, the day's heavenly stem is set as "me." Sipsin names how every other character stands in relation to that self: the one that backs me, the one I produce, the one I govern, the one that governs me, the one that nurtures me. Five directions of relationship, each split in two by yin and yang, make ten.

So the same character takes a different sipsin name depending on whose chart it sits in. Sipsin isn't a property of the character itself — it's the relationship between me and that character. That's the starting point for reading it as a map of relationships rather than a table of destiny.

Five groups make it simple

Memorizing ten at once is a lot; grouping them into five gives you the outline. Bi-gyeop is my own side — the territory of self, competition, and independence. Sik-sang is what I send outward: expression and talent. Jae-seong is what I handle — wealth and relationships, the force that reaches toward the concrete world.

Gwan-seong is the area of restraint and responsibility — what presses on me and aligns me to norms. In-seong is what supports and raises me: learning and protection. Bi-gyeop (peer stars), sik-sang (expression), jae-seong (wealth), gwan-seong (authority), in-seong (resource) — see which of these five run thick and which sit empty, and the broad grain of a chart shows itself. Each group splitting into two by yin and yang is what gives you the ten.

Which way each of the ten leans

Even inside one group, yin and yang split the grain. In bi-gyeop, the bi-gyeon subtype (Friend) reads like a peer walking alongside you, while geop-jae (Rob Wealth) leans toward a rival competing for the same thing. In sik-sang, sik-sin (Eating God) is steady, long-form expression, while sang-gwan (Hurting Officer) tilts toward the kind that flashes and stands out. In jae-seong, jeong-jae (Direct Wealth) is wealth built up steadily; pyeon-jae (Indirect Wealth) is wealth turned over in big swings.

In gwan-seong, jeong-gwan (Direct Officer) is settled responsibility and order, while pyeon-gwan (Seven Killings) splits toward heavy pressure and drive. In in-seong, jeong-in (Direct Resource) leans toward warm care, pyeon-in (Indirect Resource) toward sharp insight. None of this is a fixed personality chart, though — it's the direction a character tends to read. The same jeong-gwan plays out completely differently depending on the rest of the layout.

No good sipsin — only arrangement

Learn sipsin and you'll want to ask for a ranking — "jeong-gwan good, sang-gwan bad." ARO doesn't read it that way. No sipsin is lucky or unlucky on its own. Thick gwan-seong gives firm responsibility but can also bind you tight; strong sik-sang expresses freely but can run thin on restraint. Strength and weakness are two sides of the same character.

So the real thing to read isn't a ranking of the ten — it's the balance and tilt among the groups. Which areas pile up too heavy, which sit empty, and where that lean creates strain. Sipsin isn't a table of destiny that locks you in a box; it's a map of how the ten roles inside you are arranged.

Related terms

• 비겁A rhythm of activity and rallying together.
• 비견A peer-level rhythm — it can branch into collaboration or competition.
• 겁재Competing for the same seat — talent gathering, or rivals circling.
• 식상A rhythm that wants to be expressed outward. New attempts welcome.
• 식신An easy, pleasant flow. Good food, rest, and expression are all welcome.
• 상관A rhythm that wants to stand out. New attempts are fine — watch for friction.
• 재성A rhythm drawn to fresh stimulation and material things.
• 정재Steady income, usual pace.
• 편재Short, sharp swings. Move carefully.
• 관성A rhythm pressing down from above — checks, stalls, pressure.
• 정관A rhythm for holding your post and playing by the rules. Don't overreach — do your part well.
• 편관Outside shocks and stiff competition. Time to play defense.
• 인성Being-cared-for mode. Rest comes easy.
• 정인A steady rhythm that has your back. Things flow without forcing it.
• 편인A rhythm where the unconventional route still works. Worth leaning on intuition.