Mao Dun
Mao Dun
Writer · Author of Midnight
1896-07-04（22nd year of the Guangxu reign (Qing), 5th lunar month, day 24）～ 1981-03-27
Born in Tongxiang, Zhejiang
Three-Pillar ChartBirth hour unknown — three pillars only
Year Pillar
丙申
Element Fire · Metal
NaYin Foot-of-Mountain Fire
Ten Gods Indirect Resource
Month Pillar
甲午
Element Wood · Fire
NaYin Sand Metal
Ten Gods Seven Killings
Day Pillar
戊午
Element Earth · Fire
NaYin Heavenly Fire
Ten Gods Day Master
Hour Pillar
？？
Hour unknown
Not cast
Day Master
戊Earth
Element distribution (three-pillar count)
Fire 3, Wood 1, Earth 1, Metal 1, Water 0
Chart computed by the MoZhu engine (lunar-javascript); without the hour pillar, luck pillars and yearly cycles can't fully unfold.
Case Review
Original writing · hindsight review · anchored in known history, viewed through chart structure
Fire at 3 generates Earth; strong Resource signifies deep learning. Looking back on Mao Dun's Midnight, a panoramic dissection of 1930s Chinese society: the Indirect Resource in the year pillar signifies insight and erudition, and the Seven Killings in the month pillar signifies taking on responsibility amid the currents of the age. The backbone of his essay “In Praise of the White Poplar” is a gloss on this structure.
The day sits on Wu (午) Fire; Fire and Earth form a strong current with deep composure. Writing through a life of upheavals, and in later years donating his royalties to found a literary prize — this may be read here.
This is a cultural retrospective at the level of three pillars, not a fatalistic judgment.
Birth date source:Chinese Wikipedia: “Mao Dun” (茅盾)(cross-checked with public records; bio is an original summary)
This case is for traditional-culture study only, not a judgment of any historical figure; schools of interpretation differ, and these conclusions claim no exclusive truth.