Eight Characters or BaZi is a Chinese traditional method used to predict a person’s destiny based on their birth date and time. There are five elements in BaZi, which are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element represents a different part of a person’s character and personality. In this article, we will discuss the BaZi chart’s two best friends or “Yong Shen ”, which are the Earth and Metal elements.
What are the Yong Shen?According to BaZi philosophy, each person has four pillars, consisting of the year, month, day, and hour of birth. These pillars form the BaZi chart, which contains four elements that interact with each other, representing different aspects of a person's life. Among these four elements, two of them will be the Yong Shen or best friends, that are vital for a person's happiness and success in life.
Earth as Yong ShenThe Earth element is considered one of the Yong Shen in the BaZi chart because it represents stability, balance, and nurturing qualities. People with Earth as their Yong Shen will be trustworthy, loyal, and hard-working individuals who are responsible, calm, and grounded. Earth as their Yong Shen represents a person's ability to build a solid foundation, form support systems, and maintain harmony in their relationships.

Metal is the opposing element of Earth, and people with Earth as their Yong Shen must be careful not to overload themselves with too much Metal in their chart, as this can cause clashes and create problems in their lives.
Metal as Yong ShenThe Metal element is the other Yong Shen in the BaZi chart, representing strength, determination, and focus. People with Metal as their Yong Shen are ambitious, competitive, and analytical, which makes them suitable for leadership positions. Metal as their Yong Shen represents a person's ability to cut through obstacles, take risks, and make sound judgments.
However, people with Metal as their Yong Shen need to be mindful of not being too rigid, as this can result in tunnel vision and hinder their progress. Too much Metal can also create conflicts with other people, and they must learn to balance their Metal element with other elements in their chart, such as Water and Wood.
ConclusionUnderstanding BaZi is an ancient method of predicting a person's destiny, but it can also be a helpful tool for individuals to gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses. The two Yong Shen in the BaZi chart, Earth, and Metal, represent stability and determination, respectively, and are crucial for a person's success in life. If you have Earth or Metal as your Yong Shen, understanding those elements' characteristics can help you make decisions that maximize your potential and lead to a fulfilling life.