Peach Blossom (Tao Hua)
In a Nutshell
Also called Xian Chi (the Xian Pool): it marks the Bath stage of the Three Harmony combinations — the image of the sun sinking into the pool where it bathes.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lookup | Shen-Zi-Chen sees You; Yin-Wu-Xu sees Mao; Si-You-Chou sees Wu; Hai-Mao-Wei sees Zi |
| Alternate names | Xian Chi (Xian Pool), Bai Shen (Defeated Spirit) |
| Imagery | The sun entering Xian Chi; all things grow dim |
What Is Peach Blossom
Symbolic Stars are computed markers in a Four Pillars chart — think of them a bit like "lucky stars" in Western folk belief: reference points for timing and flavor. The key difference is that a Symbolic Star is not a deity, a planet, or an object of worship; it is simply a named positional relationship among the stems and branches, derived by fixed rules.
Peach Blossom (Tao Hua) is one of these stars, also named Xian Chi. The lookup takes the Bath (*Mu Yu*) stage of the Three Harmony combinations: Shen-Zi-Chen sees You; Yin-Wu-Xu sees Mao; Si-You-Chou sees Wu; Hai-Mao-Wei sees Zi. Take the Year Branch or the Day Branch to fix the combination, then look for the matching Bath branch among the chart's other branches. For example, with a Hai Year Branch (which belongs to the Hai-Mao-Wei Wood combination), a Zi appearing anywhere else in the Four Pillars means Peach Blossom is present.
"Xian Chi" is the place in ancient myth where the sun bathes. The *San Ming Tong Hui* (Comprehensive Compendium of the Three Fates), Vol. 3, *Lun Xian Chi* (On Xian Chi), says: "Therefore the place where the Five Elements bathe is called Xian Chi," adding the image "the sun enters Xian Chi, and all things grow dim" — the sun sinking into the pool as the world turns dusky. Bath is the stage in the Twelve Stages where each element, newly born, is washed; the ancients borrowed the "fresh from the bath" image for the name. In traditional lore, Peach Blossom is linked to charm, personal appeal, and a rich emotional life — but modern popular books tend to dramatize it far beyond the texts, and reading the classical passages helps return to the original meaning.
Two cautions are worth keeping: first, "Peach Blossom" as a Symbolic Star describes a positional relationship among branches, not a judgment on anyone's character; second, the classical books never fully agreed on the Symbolic Stars — different texts weigh the same star differently. The Symbolic Stars lookup tool on this site marks them by a single consistent rule; even the ancients reached no final verdict on how much weight to give each. As with all Symbolic Stars, Peach Blossom is reference only. BaZi readings take the Month Branch and the Chart Pattern as primary — that is the foundation of the Zi Ping method. This page covers the lookup, the names, and the classical sources for study and comparison, and makes no predictions.
Classical sources
San Ming Tong Hui (Comprehensive Compendium of the Three Fates)
*Gu wu xing mu yu zhi di, ming xian chi.* "Therefore the place where the Five Elements bathe is called Xian Chi."
Source: San Ming Tong Hui · Vol. 3 · Lun Xian Chi (On Xian Chi)
Paraphrase: The situation where a Five Element stands at its Bath stage is named Xian Chi — this is where Peach Blossom gets its name.
*Hai mao wei zai zi, si you chou zai wu.* "For Hai, Mao, and Wei, it is at Zi; for Si, You, and Chou, it is at Wu."
Source: San Ming Tong Hui · Vol. 3 · Zong Lun Zhu Shen Sha (General Discussion of the Symbolic Stars)
Paraphrase: Those born in Hai, Mao, or Wei years have Peach Blossom at Zi; those born in Si, You, or Chou years have it at Wu. The other two combinations follow the same pattern.
*For entertainment purposes only.*