On this page
Meaning and Context
Harms are less obvious than clashes but can be equally impactful. They suggest friction that operates beneath the surface, potentially indicating betrayal, hidden enemies, or obstacles that aren't immediately visible.
- 子未害 (Zi-Wei): Rat-Goat harm
- 丑午害 (Chou-Wu): Ox-Horse harm
- 寅巳害 (Yin-Si): Tiger-Snake harm
- 卯辰害 (Mao-Chen): Rabbit-Dragon harm
- 申亥害 (Shen-Hai): Monkey-Pig harm
- 酉戌害 (You-Xu): Rooster-Dog harm
Classical Roots
From Yuanhai Ziping
「害者，暗伤也，不和之气。」
Plain translation
"Harm means hidden injury, energy of discord." This establishes harms as covert rather than obvious conflicts.
Interpretation Framework
When analyzing harms:
- Harms suggest hidden rather than open conflict
- May indicate relationships with underlying tension
- Can suggest health issues that develop gradually
- Often less dramatic than clashes but can be persistent
How It Shows Up in FateFolio
In FateFolio's Bazi tool, harms are noted alongside other branch interactions. They provide insight into potential hidden tensions or gradual challenges.
Common Misconceptions
- Over-emphasizing harms — they are generally considered less impactful than clashes
- Ignoring them entirely — they can still indicate important dynamics
- Assuming all harms manifest as betrayal — effects vary by context
FAQ
How serious is a harm compared to a clash?
+
Harms are generally considered less impactful than clashes. Clashes are direct confrontations; harms are more like subtle friction or hidden obstacles. Many practitioners give harms secondary importance in analysis, focusing primarily on combinations and clashes.