On this page
Meaning and Context
The Annual Cycle represents the year's stem-branch pair that affects everyone simultaneously but interacts uniquely with each person's chart.
- Liu (流): Flow, passing
- Nian (年): Year
- Each year has its own Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch
- Creates annual themes and influences within your Luck Pillar cycle
Classical Roots
From Yuanhai Ziping
「流年者，行年之运也，主一年之吉凶。」
Plain translation
"The Annual Cycle is the year's flowing fortune, governing the year's auspiciousness or challenges." This establishes yearly cycles as the finest timing layer.
Analysis Framework
Reading Annual Cycle involves:
- Check interactions with natal chart pillars (combinations, clashes)
- Consider how it modifies current Luck Pillar influences
- Assess whether the year brings favorable or challenging elements
- Note major events often correlate with significant annual interactions
How It Shows Up in FateFolio
In FateFolio's Bazi tool, annual influences are analyzed showing how each year's elements interact with your chart. This helps identify years of opportunity or caution.
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking annual cycles alone determine outcomes — they interact with natal chart and Luck Pillars
- Ignoring the cumulative effect of Luck Pillar + Annual Cycle
- Treating challenging years as entirely negative — they can bring growth
FAQ
How is Annual Cycle different from Chinese zodiac year predictions?
+
Annual Cycle analysis is personalized — it considers how the year's stem-branch interacts with YOUR specific chart. Generic zodiac predictions only look at Year Branch (zodiac animal) without considering your complete natal chart.