长生 Chang Sheng - Life Phases

What are the 12 Life Phases (長生 Cháng Shēng)?

The 12 Life Phases (十二長生, Shí’èr Chángshēng) describe the cyclical rise and decline of elemental energy in the BaZi system. They are primarily used to evaluate the strength of the Day Master within a given seasonal and temporal context.

While the Five Seasons model explains general seasonal strength, the 12 Life Phases provide a more detailed breakdown by dividing seasonal energy into finer stages across all twelve Earthly Branches.

This system uses an analogy of the human life cycle to describe how Qi (energy) is born, grows, peaks, declines, and returns to origin..

十二长生  The 12 Phases of Life
Stages	Strength
長生 Chang Sheng Longevity Birth Growth	Peak Strong Rising	The child has just been born, seemingly with an unlimited source of energy and full of optimism and hope, yet the entire life, whether short or long, is still ahead. It is the beginning stage of active life. This stage is strong when it is at Yang and average when it is at Yin.
沐浴 Mu Yu Bathing Accumulating Childhood	Dead Weak Rising	The baby is out of the protective womb and is, at this stage, very vulnerable. The baby must be quickly removed from the placenta cord, bathed, and wrapped in protective clothes.
冠带 Guan Dai Attire Maturity Wearing Hat	Vibrant Strong Rising	The child has passed the puberty period and reached maturity. This stage is celebrated in some cultures around the world by wearing special clothes. This is the time when enterprises are undertaken and positions are established.
临官 Lin Guan Appointed Officer Adulthood Coming of Age	Vibrant Strong Rising	This is the stage of highest productivity and readiness to take responsibility and authority.
帝旺 Di Wang Imperial Prosperity Prosperity Peak Pinnacle	Peak Strong Rising	The life peak has been reached; it is the zenith of achievements. From now on, only decline can be expected.
衰 Shuai Decline Aging Waning	Falling Average Falling	The time when life vitality and activities are gradually decreasing, also known as aging, is when advancement is given only in one direction.
病 Bing Disease Ailing Sickness	Falling Average Falling	The stage when vitality is severely affected and the common operation becomes dysfunctional.
死 Si Dead Death Deteriorating	Dead Weak Falling	The stage when the soul leaves the body and returns to its origin
墓 Mu Tomb Grave Dormant	Dead Strong Falling	TThe shell is buried and left to nature. This one has strong force yet is downward.
绝 Jue Extinct Repose Void	Dead Weak Falling	All is dissolved; nothing is there.
胎 Tai Fetus Conception Womb	Base Average Transforming	Life has just ignited. Creation is about to form.
养 Yang Raise Gestation Nurture	Base Average Transforming	The child who has not been born yet is taking shape. It has upcoming potential.

Together, the 12 Life Phases describe a complete energetic cycle from emergence to dissolution and renewal. In practical application, they are used to evaluate timing, strength, and interaction of elemental forces within BaZi charts.