A plain-language definition for anyone researching liu he (six harmonies), what it is, where it comes from, and how practitioners use it.
85 plain-language definitions · Cited sources · Persona-authored
By Master Wei Lin · Updated August 3, 2026
Chinese Metaphysics Scholar
What is liu he (six harmonies)?
Liu He (六合 Liù Hé, 'Six Harmonies') is the second-strongest classical compatibility pattern in Chinese astrology. It pairs the twelve Earthly Branches into six harmonic pairs: Rat-Ox, Tiger-Pig, Rabbit-Dog, Dragon-Rooster, Snake-Monkey, and Horse-Goat.
Each Liu He pair consists of two animals whose Earthly Branches combine to produce balanced, complementary qi. Rat-Ox combines Water and Earth; Tiger-Pig combines Wood and Water; Rabbit-Dog combines Wood and Earth; Dragon-Rooster combines Earth and Metal; Snake-Monkey combines Fire and Metal; Horse-Goat combines Fire and Earth.
In relationship reading, Liu He pairings are widely regarded as among the most stable in classical Chinese astrology. The classical reading shows these are pairings where different strengths combine into a balanced whole, Rat's quick mind paired with Ox's steady hand, Tiger's intensity paired with Pig's warmth, and so on. Many classical Chinese marriages were arranged with attention to Liu He patterns.
Liu He was documented alongside San He in classical Chinese astrology by the Tang and Song dynasties and was integrated into BaZi by Xu Zi-ping (徐子平). The Yuan Hai Zi Ping describes the six pairs. Modern English sources include Joey Yap's BaZi: The Destiny Code and Master Raymond Lo's writings.
Practitioners use Liu He to read complementary compatibility. Two people whose zodiac animals form a Liu He pair are classically regarded as highly compatible; the classical sources call this the 'complementary opposites' classic in Chinese astrology. The Chinese Zodiac Compatibility calculator on this site scores Liu He pairings at 88/100.
Liu He is also relevant in BaZi for reading interactions between any two branches in a chart, year-month, year-day, year-hour, and so on. The presence of a Liu He pair within a single chart is read as harmonizing energy between the pillars involved.
These glossary terms are closely connected to liu he (six harmonies):
Rat-Ox, Tiger-Pig, Rabbit-Dog, Dragon-Rooster, Snake-Monkey, and Horse-Goat. Six pairs, twelve branches, one pair per branch.
Both are strong. San He is the trine pattern (three animals); Liu He is the pair pattern (two animals). Many practitioners regard Liu He as equally important; the classical sources locate the difference in geometry, not quality.
Liu He is the harmonic pair, complementary, balanced. Chong is the directly opposite pair, clashing, in tension. Each animal has one Liu He partner and one Chong partner, on opposite sides of the wheel.
Yes, classical sources describe Liu He as a foundation of compatibility, not a guarantee of conflict-free relating. The classical sources note it produces unusually durable foundations, not effortless coexistence.
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