Li Shimin
Li Shimin
Second Emperor of the Tang Dynasty · Founder of the Zhenguan Era of Good Governance
0598-01-28（17th year of the Kaihuang reign (Sui), 12th lunar month, day 16）～ 0649-07-10
Born in Wugong, Shaanxi
Three-Pillar ChartBirth hour unknown — three pillars only
Year Pillar
丁巳
Element Fire · Fire
NaYin Sand Earth
Ten Gods Direct Resource
Month Pillar
癸丑
Element Water · Earth
NaYin Mulberry Wood
Ten Gods Direct Wealth
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, Earth 2, Water 1, Wood 0, Metal 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
Wu (戊) Earth is the Earth of city walls, signifying the capacity to bear and to embrace. Looking back on the “Zhenguan era of good governance”: accepting Wei Zheng’s remonstrances, employing Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, and widely appointing remonstrance officials all reflect the style of “thick Earth bearing all things.” Direct Resource and Direct Wealth are revealed in the year and month: Resource signifies moral appeal and Wealth practical results in governance, and the “Zhenguan spirit” of excellence in both civil and military affairs offers a point of observation.
The day sits on Wu (午) Fire, so Fire and Earth form a strong force and Resource is strong. His tradition of self-reflection, “using people as a mirror to see one’s gains and losses,” echoes the introspective temperament of those with strong Resource. Yet heavy Earth also signifies stubbornness; his declining openness to criticism in later years and his mishandling of the succession can be observed in hindsight from the angle of “heavy Earth, little flexibility.”
This is a cultural retrospective at the level of three pillars, not a fatalistic judgment.
Birth date source:Chinese Wikipedia: “Emperor Taizong of Tang”(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.