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Five Element Compatibility Calculator

Pick your element and your partner's, or enter two birthdays. See whether you feed, check or mirror each other, what it means in love, friendship and work, and which element bridges a clash.

Updated October 17, 2026

Choose two elements

You

Your partner

Don't know your element? Find it from your birthdays
Controlling (相剋)Creative friction
水Partner火You

Steam and balance

水火既濟

Water checks Fire: your partner sets the limits

The Water partner cools, questions and reflects; the Fire partner acts, feels and lights things up.

Your partner sets the limits. Their structure can steady you; say early when it starts to feel like pressure.

Love
The classic opposites. Fire wakes Water up and Water calms Fire down. In balance it feels complete; out of balance, like a cold shower.
Friendship
The cautious one and the impulsive one: great stories, and someone to stop the worst ideas.
Work
Fire drives action, Water checks the risks. Together, decisions are bold and thought through.

Watch for: When Fire is much stronger, it boils the water off (火炎水灼): the cautious partner gets overruled and withdraws.

木

Bridge element (通關)

Wood

Water feeds Wood, and Wood feeds Fire: the control becomes a chain of support.

Colours
Green, teal
Direction
East
Season
Spring
Places
Parks, forests, gardens, bookshops
Try together
Plant something together, hike, plan a trip, read the same book
Talk it through
How do we make time to think without killing the moment to act?

Ten-god role of your partner's element: Power

Full guide to this pair

A starting point for conversation, not a verdict on your relationship.

火FireYou土Earth金Metal水WaterPartner木WoodBridge

Don't know your elements? Use both birthdays

Your element for matching is your Day Master element, set by your date of birth. Enter both dates: we find both Day Masters, load them into the picker and show who completes whom.

Your birthday
Partner's birthday

Born between 23:00 and 01:00? The day can change at 23:00, so check with your birth time in the calculator.

Five element compatibility chart: all 25 pairs

Rows are you, columns are your partner. Each cell shows how the two elements relate and the character of the pairing. Click any cell to open it in the picker.

  • Generating (相生)
  • Controlling (相剋)
  • Same element (比和)
Five element compatibility chart for Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water
You ↓ Partner →木Wood火Fire土Earth金Metal水Water
木Wood
火Fire
土Earth
金Metal
水Water

Five element clashes in couples: what to do

Five pairs control each other: 木剋土, 土剋水, 水剋火, 火剋金 and 金剋木. Control (剋) means restraint, not doom: it is the friction that shapes things. Each pair has a bridge element that turns the control into a chain of support.

關內有織女，關外有牛郎，此關若通也，相邀入洞房。

The Weaver Girl is inside the pass, the Cowherd outside. Open the pass, and they meet in the bridal chamber.

Di Tian Sui (滴天髓), on bridge elements

Control is how classical Bazi defines a spouse

In Ziping Bazi, a man's partner star is the element he controls (wealth, 財) and a woman's is the element that controls her (officer, 官). A controlling pair is not a sign of a bad match; it is the oldest picture of attraction in the system.

Direct WealthDirect Officer
木土

Roots and ground

木疏厚土

Wood and Earth compatibility (Wood controls Earth)

Roots break up packed soil so it can bear fruit; classical texts call it 木疏厚土, Wood loosening heavy Earth. The Wood partner keeps proposing moves, plans and improvements; the Earth partner keeps the base steady. Earth can feel pushed, and Wood can feel blocked.

When it works

「土旺得木，方能疏通」

Strong Earth needs Wood to loosen it and let things flow.

When it tips over

「木能剋土，土重木折」

Wood can control Earth, but heavy Earth snaps the Wood.

When Earth is much stronger, the control turns around (土重木折): heavy earth snaps the wood, and the would-be reformer gives up.

Talk it through
How do we keep changing without breaking what still matters to us?
土水

Banks and river

築土成池

Earth and Water compatibility (Earth controls Water)

Banks give a river its course: Earth's boundaries can turn Water's wandering into direction. The Earth partner wants commitments, routines and predictability; the Water partner wants options, space and time to feel things out.

When it works

「水旺得土，方成池沼」

Strong Water needs Earth to hold it, and becomes a pond instead of a flood.

When it tips over

「土能剋水，水多土流」

Earth can control Water, but too much Water washes the Earth away.

Too much water washes the bank away (水多土流), and too much earth leaves Water stagnant. Watch for one partner policing and the other going quiet.

Talk it through
Which boundaries help us, and which ones make one of us feel fenced in?
水火

Steam and balance

水火既濟

Water and Fire compatibility (Water controls Fire)

The Book of Changes calls the balanced version 水火既濟, water over fire, the pot that boils: each tempers the other into something useful. The Water partner thinks first, holds back and watches; the Fire partner speaks first, acts and shows. Respect turns that into steam; contempt turns it into 水火不容.

When it works

「火旺得水，方成相濟」

Strong Fire needs Water, and the two complete each other.

When it tips over

「水能剋火，火炎水灼」

Water can control Fire, but a blazing Fire boils the Water away.

When Fire is much stronger, it boils the water off (火炎水灼): the cautious partner gets overruled and withdraws.

Talk it through
How do we make time to think without killing the moment to act?
火金

The forge

火煉真金

Fire and Metal compatibility (Fire controls Metal)

Raw ore only becomes a blade in the forge: 火煉真金, fire refining true gold. The Fire partner pushes, inspires and wants it now; the Metal partner weighs, corrects and wants it right. The heat can make both better, or leave Metal feeling attacked.

When it works

「金旺得火，方成器皿」

Strong Metal needs Fire to be shaped into something useful.

When it tips over

「火能剋金，金多火熄」

Fire can control Metal, but too much Metal smothers the Fire.

When Metal is much stronger, it smothers a weak fire (金多火熄): criticism puts out the passion that drew them together.

Talk it through
How do we balance speed and standards?
金木

Carving the beam

木成棟樑

Metal and Wood compatibility (Metal controls Wood)

A tree only becomes a roof beam once it has been cut and planed; the classical line says strong Wood needs Metal to become timber. The Metal partner judges, trims and decides; the Wood partner proposes, expands and hopes. Feedback can shape Wood, or cut it down.

When it works

「木旺得金，方成棟樑」

Strong Wood needs Metal to be cut into a beam.

When it tips over

「金能剋木，木堅金缺」

Metal can control Wood, but hard Wood chips the blade.

When Wood is much stronger, the blade chips (木堅金缺): criticism stops landing and Metal feels ignored.

Talk it through
How do we let feedback improve an idea instead of shutting it down?

Generating couples (相生): giver and receiver

Five pairs feed each other: 水生木, 木生火, 火生土, 土生金 and 金生水. They are the easiest pairings, with one catch: the giver can burn out, and too much giving smothers.

水Gives木Receives水木清華

Water and Wood compatibility (Water feeds Wood)

Quiet nurture

水木清華, clear water and flourishing trees, is the classical image: Water feeds roots it never sees, and Wood grows toward the light. The Water partner is often the quiet source of comfort and ideas; the Wood partner turns them into visible growth.

Classical warning

「水能生木，木多水縮」

Water can feed Wood, but too much Wood shrinks the Water.

Smothering care floats the wood away (水多木漂), and a fast-growing Wood can drain Water dry (木多水縮). Water can also feel invisible if its support is never named.

Talk it through
Do I feel helped, or managed? And do you feel seen for what you give?

Wood: share your progress so Water sees what its support built. Water: offer help, then step back and let Wood grow its own way.

木Gives火Receives木火通明

Wood and Fire compatibility (Wood feeds Fire)

Spark and fuel

Classical texts praise this pair as 木火通明, Wood and Fire bringing brilliance: Wood gives Fire something to burn, and Fire gives Wood's effort a stage. The Wood partner tends to encourage, plan and wait; the Fire partner tends to shine, decide fast and draw people in.

Classical warning

「木能生火，火多木焚」

Wood can feed Fire, but too much Fire burns the Wood away.

It tips two ways: Fire takes so much that Wood burns out (火多木焚), or Wood piles on so much that the flame is smothered. Watch for one partner always performing and the other always supplying.

Talk it through
Who refills the person who keeps encouraging everyone?

Take turns being the audience. Plan one evening a month where Fire listens and Wood gets the spotlight.

火Gives土Receives火土相生

Fire and Earth compatibility (Fire feeds Earth)

Hearth and home

Fire warms Earth into fertile ground. The Fire partner brings energy, praise and new plans; the Earth partner absorbs them, steadies them and makes them livable. Earth often feels braver with Fire around, and Fire feels safer with Earth.

Classical warning

「火能生土，土多火晦」

Fire can feed Earth, but too much Earth dims the Fire.

Fire that gives without rest runs out, and a heap of Earth dims the flame (土多火晦). Too much heat also bakes the soil hard: Earth turns stubborn when pushed.

Talk it through
When do we need a new spark, and when do we just need to keep things steady?

Let Fire pick the adventure and Earth pick the pace. Build one shared home ritual, such as Sunday cooking, that turns energy into routine.

土Gives金Receives土金相生

Earth and Metal compatibility (Earth feeds Metal)

Patient refining

Metal forms inside the earth, so the Earth partner often acts as the base: patient, accommodating, the one who holds things together. The Metal partner gives that support a shape: decisions, standards, a clear direction. It builds slowly and lasts.

Classical warning

「土能生金，金多土變」

Earth can feed Metal, but too much Metal changes the Earth.

Over-protection buries the metal (土多金埋), and a demanding Metal partner can wear Earth down until it changes shape (金多土變).

Talk it through
Is the support we give each other helping us grow, or just keeping us comfortable?

Give Metal room to decide some things alone, and let Earth hear specific thanks, not only results.

金Gives水Receives金白水清

Metal and Water compatibility (Metal feeds Water)

Clear and flowing

The classical picture is 金白水清, white metal and clear water: Metal's discipline gives Water a source, and Water carries Metal's ideas further than Metal would go alone. The Metal partner tends to decide and protect; the Water partner listens, adapts and connects.

Classical warning

「金能生水，水多金沉」

Metal can feed Water, but too much Water sinks the Metal.

Too much water sinks the metal (水多金沉): endless change wears down Metal's need for order. And a Metal partner who only gives rules leaves Water feeling boxed in.

Talk it through
Which of our rules still help us, and which can we let go?

Schedule the big talks instead of springing them. Metal brings one clear point, Water brings questions, and nobody has to win.

Which way does it flow?

If your partner's element produces yours, they are your resource (印): they nurture you. If yours produces theirs, they are your output (食傷): you express yourself by caring for them. Both are warm; they ask different things of each of you.

Direct ResourceEating God

Same-element couples (比和)

When you share a Day Master element, you understand each other quickly. The test is competition: two people wanting the same role. The element you both produce gives that shared energy an outlet.

木木兩木成林

Wood and Wood compatibility (two Wood partners)

A grove

Two trees make a grove (林 is 木 written twice): shelter, shared roots, a common direction. Both of you want to grow, plan and improve, which builds momentum, and friction when your plans differ.

Trees in a crowded grove compete for light: rivalry over direction, and two people who both need to be right.

Talk it through
Where are we growing in the same direction, and where do we each need our own space?
火

Outlet elementSplit the territory: separate projects, one shared goal. Fire, the element Wood feeds, gives the energy an outlet: make, perform or celebrate together.

火火兩火成炎

Fire and Fire compatibility (two Fire partners)

Bonfire

Two flames make 炎, a blaze. You light each other up, share enthusiasm and act on it straight away. The catch is that nobody tends the embers: excitement without rest or follow-through.

A blaze burns out: competing for attention, emotional spikes and exhaustion.

Talk it through
How do we rest and cool down without feeling bored?
土

Outlet elementEarth, the element Fire feeds, gives the heat somewhere to go: a home project, cooking, a garden. Plan quiet evenings on purpose.

土土兩土成圭

Earth and Earth compatibility (two Earth partners)

Mountain

Earth on earth builds a mountain (圭 is 土 written twice): a deep sense of security and shared responsibility. You both value commitment and routine, and you may both avoid hard conversations.

Heavy earth stagnates: stubbornness, inertia, and problems buried rather than solved.

Talk it through
What did we stop doing because it was easier not to?
金

Outlet elementMetal, the element Earth feeds, refines the mountain: set clear shared goals, declutter together and try one new thing each season.

金金兩金相擊

Metal and Metal compatibility (two Metal partners)

Twin blades

Two blades strike sparks (兩金相擊): you respect each other's integrity and share clear values. When you disagree, both of you hold the line, and a conversation can turn into a contest.

Blade against blade: criticism, cold silences and pride.

Talk it through
Can we both be right about different things?
水

Outlet elementWater, the element Metal feeds, softens the edges: long walks, open-ended talks and a habit of saying what you appreciate.

水水兩水匯流

Water and Water compatibility (two Water partners)

Confluence

Two streams merge into a river (兩水匯流): empathy, curiosity and a deep sense of being understood. Without banks, though, a river floods or drifts: plans stay open and decisions wait.

Drift: avoiding decisions and mirroring each other's worries.

Talk it through
What are we actually going to decide this week?
木

Outlet elementWood, the element Water feeds, gives the flow a direction: a shared project, a plan with dates, something you build together.

Same element, different polarity

甲 with 甲 is a friend pairing (比肩): equals, side by side. 甲 with 乙 is rob wealth (劫財): close, competitive and quick to share or take. Check the stems, not just the element.

FriendRob Wealth

Why the Day Master is only the start

Day Master elements are one layer of Bazi matching (八字合婚). A full reading looks at four more.

  • 宮

    Spouse palace (日支)

    The branch under your Day Master is your spouse palace. When two day branches combine (六合, 三合), daily life tends to fit; when they clash (六沖), routines collide even if the elements get on.

    Bazi Compatibility
  • 合

    Stem combinations and clashes

    Day Masters that control each other can still combine: 甲 with 己, 乙 with 庚, 丙 with 辛, 丁 with 壬 and 戊 with 癸 form the five stem combinations (天干五合), a classic sign of attraction. Other pairs, such as 甲 and 庚, clash.

    Generating & Controlling CyclesThe ten gods
  • 喜

    Favorable elements, not counts

    What a chart needs depends on Day Master strength, not on which element is missing. A partner whose chart is rich in your favorable elements (喜用神) supports you, whatever their Day Master.

    Favorable Elements CalculatorDay Master Strength Calculator
  • 運

    Spouse star and timing

    Traditionally a man reads his partner through the wealth star (財) and a woman through the officer star (官). Luck pillars (大運) then show the years when a relationship is tested or carried.

    Direct WealthDirect OfficerLuck Pillar Start Age Calculator
Keep exploringFive Elements CalculatorGenerating & Controlling CyclesBazi Calculator
Compare two full charts

Five element compatibility FAQ

Sources

Classical texts behind the relationships, warnings and bridge elements on this page.

  1. 01《淵海子平》Song-dynasty Ziping manual. Its passage on what each element welcomes and fears in production and control is the source of the classical lines in the pair cards.
  2. 02《滴天髓》Its chapter on bridge elements (通關), with the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd, and its chapter on spouses, read through the favorable elements.
  3. 03《子平真詮》Qing-dynasty classic that reads the day branch as the spouse palace and the wealth or officer star as the spouse star.
  4. 04《周易》Hexagram 63, 既濟 (water over fire): the image behind the balanced Water and Fire pair.
  5. 05《五行大義》Sui-dynasty compendium of the five elements: production, control and their correspondences of colour, direction and season.

See the whole picture: your two full charts

Day Master elements are the first layer. The full compatibility reading compares spouse palaces, stem combinations, branch clashes and what each chart gives the other.

Compare two charts

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