Mao Zedong’s BaZi: From Great Savior to Declining Luck Cycle

Many people have written about Mao Zedong’s BaZi. There are countless books and online articles discussing it.

In 2026, it had already been 51 years since Mao Zedong passed away, and there was no particular reason to revisit his BaZi for study. It was only because, during an advanced student section discussion, a student mentioned Xi Jinping, which then led to a discussion of Deng Xiaoping, and eventually to Mao Zedong, let’s reopen this chapter of history.

In the past, the BaZi of Mao Zedong published through various sources including Wikipedia consistently been based on the calendar date of December 26, 1893, at the Chen 辰 Dragon hour.

According to records compiled in the “Mao Zedong Volume (毛澤東卷)” of the Dictionary of Leaders of the Republic (共和國領袖大辭典) published by the Chengdu Publishing House, the Shaoshan Mao Clan Genealogy (Fourth Revision 韶山毛氏四修族譜 )—revised in the 30th year of the Republic of China (1941),—records Mao Zedong’s birth date as the 19th day of the 11th lunar month in the 19th year of the Guangxu reign, at the Chen hour.

I was convinced that Mao Zedong’s birth date of December 26 is based on the lunar calendar. This is because after carefully verified the major luck cycles (Da Yun) and annual luck (Liu Nian) of both BaZi charts using the BaZi principle of “生剋為用” Only the chart constructed from the lunar December 26 fully satisfies the criterion that every aspect aligns without exception.

This corresponds to February 1, 1894. As it falls before the Beginning of Spring (Li Chun 立春), it still belongs to the Gui Si (Yin Water Snake) year. Therefore, when Mao Zedong said that he was born in the Year of the Snake, he was indeed correct.

Born as a 甲 Jia (Yang Wood) Day Master in the Chou (Ox) month - 甲生丑月, with roots connecting to Wei, the chart is considered weak but not following (身弱不從).

When analyzing the major luck cycles (Da Yun) using this BaZi, its indications of status, success, hardship, and life outcomes are accurate in every instance—without a single miss.

1st Luck Pillar (1902-1911): 甲子 (Jia Zi) Starting Age 10

Mao Zedong was born into a well-to-do peasant (rich farmer) family; during this phase of his luck cycle, he had not yet committed himself to the revolutionary movement.

The correct understanding of the Ten Gods (十神, Shi Shen) in this 1st Luck Pillar (1902-1911):

比 (Friend – 比肩 Bi Jian) sitting on 印 (Direct Resource – 正印 Zheng Yin) , it signifies a stable and comfortable youth, with a family background of affluence.

2nd Luck Pillar (1912-1921): 癸亥 (Gui Hai )Starting Age 20

He came into contact with new ideas, organized social movements, and joined the Communist Party (共產黨).

The correct understanding of the Ten Gods (十神, Shi Shen) in this 2nd Luck Pillar (1912-1921):

印 (Direct Resource – 正印 Zheng Yin) sitting on 卩 (Indirect Resource – 偏印 Pian Yin - 卩) indicates ability and wisdom.

3rd Luck Pillar (1922-1931): 壬戌 (Ren Xu) Starting Age 30

After the breakdown of relations between the Kuomintang (國民黨) and the Communist Party (共產黨), he led uprisings and armed revolts, retreated to Jinggangshan (井崗山), and was subjected to five encirclement campaigns (黨五次圍剿) by the Kuomintang. Forced to abandon his base, he undertook the arduous Long March (長征), traveling 25,000 li, and ultimately arrived at Yan’an in Northern Shaanxi.

The correct understanding of the Ten Gods (十神, Shi Shen) in this 3rd Luck Pillar (1922-1931):

4th Luck Pillar (1932-1941): 辛酉 (Xin You) Starting Age 40

Amid the Long March, he rose above other Communist leaders, and the 1935 Zunyi Conference (遵義會議) cemented his position as the party’s leader.

The correct understanding of the Ten Gods (十神, Shi Shen) in this 4th Luck Pillar (1932-1941):

5th Luck Pillar (1942-1951): 庚申(Geng Shen) Starting Age 50

In 1942, with the commencement of the Geng Shen Major Luck Pillar, Mao Zedong entered the pinnacle of his life. His authority and prestige were unmatched. During this period, he led the Communist Party and its forces to defeat the Kuomintang, founded the People’s Republic of China, and assumed the position of State Chairman, consolidating full control over the party, government, and military.

The correct understanding of the Ten Gods (十神, Shi Shen) in this 5th Luck Pillar (1942-1951):

6th Luck Pillar (1952-1961): 己未(Yi Wei) Starting Age 60

Between 1952 and 1962, China enjoyed independence and stability. Mao Zedong was extolled as the ‘great savior of the people (人民的大救星)’ and a ‘wise leader (英明的領袖).’

Although 财 (Direct Wealth – 正财 Zheng Cai) represents his unfavourable Ten Gods (忌神), typically indicating setbacks or failures, Mao Zedong was nonetheless extolled as a great leader during this Da Yun.

Yet the very height of his power and authority meant that, upon entering his next Major Luck Pillar - 7th Luck Pillar (1952-1961), his own wisdom paradoxically became a source of misguidance.

The correct understanding of the Ten Gods (十神, Shi Shen) in this 6th Luck Pillar (1952-1961):

7th Luck Pillar (1952-1961): 戊午( Wu Wu ) Starting Age 70

Between 1962 and 1972, China faced grave crises in politics, economy, culture, and the daily lives of its people. Mao Zedong’s small-scale political campaigns from 1962 began to impact the highest echelons of the Party and society at large. By 1966, he initiated the unprecedented Cultural Revolution (文化大革命). Within this Major Luck Pillar, clashing of Ten Gods manifested, transforming his wisdom into folly. Even after his passing, he continued to be cursed by the countless people who suffered mentally and physically. These are the lingering consequences of this pattern, which rendered the damage to his reputation and legacy historically unparalleled.

The correct understanding of the Ten Gods (十神, Shi Shen) in this 7th Luck Pillar (1952-1961):

8th Luck Pillar (1972-1981): 丁巳 (Ding Si) Starting Age 80

The social upheaval triggered by the Cultural Revolution persisted until 1976, following Mao Zedong’s death. His erroneous decisions during his declining Major Luck Pillar had plunged the nation into a dark era, which, with his passing, finally showed signs of coming to an end.

The correct understanding of the Ten Gods (十神, Shi Shen) in this 8th Luck Pillar (1972-1981):

Understanding the Ten Gods (十神, Shi Shen) is essential to truly unlocking the depth of BaZi Four Pillars of Destiny. They are not just symbolic labels, but the core language that reveals how a person thinks, behaves, makes decisions, and interacts with opportunities and challenges. Through the Ten Gods, we can interpret wealth potential, career direction, relationships, and even the timing of success or failure. Without a clear understanding of this system, a BaZi chart becomes a collection of elements without meaning—but with it, the chart transforms into a precise and insightful map of one’s life path.