SECTION 01What Is Tojungbigyeol (토정비결)?
Tojungbigyeol (土亭秘訣) is an annual fortune book said to have been authored by Yi Ji-ham (李之菡, 1517–1578), a scholar and eccentric of the mid-Joseon Dynasty. "Tojung" (土亭) was Yi Ji-ham's pen name, derived from his practice of living in an earthen hut (토정 土亭). Based on the principles of the Book of Changes (주역 周易), the book distills one year's fortune into 144 hexagrams (괘 Gwe).
Modern scholarship tends to view Tojungbigyeol as more likely compiled in the late Joseon period under Yi Ji-ham's name rather than directly authored by him. Nevertheless, it took deep root in Korean folk culture as a book embodying Yi Ji-ham's love for ordinary people and his pragmatic spirit. It is a representative example of everyday divination culture enjoyed by both the royal astronomical bureau and commoners throughout the Joseon Dynasty.
3 Characteristics of Tojungbigyeol
1. Accessibility: Unlike Four Pillars (사주팔자), which traditionally required a specialist, Tojungbigyeol can be self-calculated and interpreted using only your lunar birth year, month, and day — which is why commoners widely embraced it.
2. Annual Scope: It shows both the broad flow of the entire year and monthly auspiciousness, making it a planning guide for the new year.
3. Classical Chinese Poetry Form: Each hexagram's content is composed in the form of classical Chinese poetry (한시 漢詩), giving it literary as well as divinatory value.
Today, many people find it difficult to know their lunar birth dates or find the calculations cumbersome. MANSHIN AI Tojungbigyeol provides automatic lunar date conversion, hexagram calculation, and detailed interpretation all at once, requiring only your solar calendar birth date.
SECTION 02How to Read Tojungbigyeol — 3-Step Calculation
Tojungbigyeol uses three pieces of information — lunar birth year, month, and day — to calculate the Year-Age Number (태세수 Taesensu), Birth-Month Number (월건수 Wolgeonso), and Birth-Day Number (일진수 Iljinsu), which are combined to find the matching hexagram among 144. Birth time is not required, and there is no distinction between male and female, making it universally accessible.
Calculate Taesensu (太歲數) — Determines Upper Trigram (상괘)
Divide your Korean counting age for the year by 3 to find the remainder. Remainder 1 = Upper 1, remainder 2 = Upper 2, remainder 0 (divisible) = Upper 3. Example: counting age 31 — 31 ÷ 3 = 10 remainder 1, so Upper Trigram = 1. The Upper Trigram has 3 options and determines the broad structure of the hexagram.
Calculate Wolgeonso (月建數) — Determines Middle Trigram (중괘)
Divide your lunar birth month (1–12) by 6 to find the remainder. Remainder 0 is treated as 6, giving a result of 1–6. Example: lunar birth month 8 — 8 ÷ 6 = 1 remainder 2, so Middle Trigram = 2. The Middle Trigram has 6 options and determines the detailed direction.
Calculate Iljinsu (日辰數) — Determines Lower Trigram (하괘)
Divide your lunar birth day (1–30) by 3 to find the remainder. Remainder 0 is treated as 3, giving a result of 1, 2, or 3. Example: lunar birth day 15 — 15 ÷ 3 = 5 remainder 0, so Lower Trigram = 3. Once Upper, Middle, and Lower Trigrams are determined, locate the matching hexagram in the 144-hexagram table and read your year's fortune.
(0 treated as 3)
(0 treated as 6)
(effectively 4 categories)
SECTION 03What Are the 144 Hexagrams? — Composition Principles
The 144 hexagrams of Tojungbigyeol are composed of Upper Trigram (3) × Middle Trigram (6) × Lower Trigram (8) combinations. Each hexagram has an independent classical Chinese poetry verse (괘사 Gwaesa), followed by monthly (1st–12th lunar month) fortune interpretations. Rather than purely auspicious or inauspicious, most hexagrams contain a mixture — indicating which months to be cautious and which to seize as opportunities.
Structure of Each Hexagram
Gwaesa (卦辭, Hexagram Verse): A 4- or 6-line classical Chinese poem that compresses the year's overall fortune. Written in metaphorical language comparing to natural principles — for example, "Plant seeds in spring, and autumn will bring abundance."
Monthly Interpretation: Short descriptions of auspiciousness and cautions for each of the 12 lunar months. Contains advice on areas such as business, wealth, health, relocation, travel, and marriage.
Overall Summary: A final summary of the core message running through the entire year.
In the Joseon era, people consulted the original printed book or asked a fortune-teller for interpretation. Today, services like MANSHIN AI automatically find the matching hexagram when you enter your birth date and provide a modern-language interpretation.
SECTION 042026 Byeong-O Year (병오년 丙午年) Characteristics
2026 is Byeong-O Year (병오년 丙午年). The Heavenly Stem Byeong (丙) represents Yang Fire (양화 陽火) — bright, intense, and extroverted solar energy. The Earthly Branch O (午) symbolizes the Horse (馬) and also belongs to the Fire (화 火) element. Because both the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch are Fire, Byeong-O Year is a special year where Fire energy (화기 火氣) operates doubly.
Major Energies of Byeong-O Year
Passion and Challenge: Fire (화 火) energy symbolizes passion, drive, and creativity. 2026 is a year marked by new beginnings, bold challenges, and self-expression. Favorable energy flows for starting new businesses, studies, and relationships.
Change and Speed: The Horse (馬) energy of the O (午) branch combined with the Yeokmasal (역마살, Traveling Star) brings strong energies of movement, change, and speed. 2026 may bring unexpected changes, job transitions, and relocations.
Cautions: Excessive Fire energy can lead to impulsiveness, recklessness, and overheating. Important decisions are best made with sufficient time and careful consideration. Health-wise, be attentive to the heart, blood pressure, and fire-related hazards.
Against this backdrop of the year's energy, Tojungbigyeol provides more specific auspiciousness through the 144 hexagrams based on your individual age, birth month, and birth day. How 2026's strong Fire energy interacts with your own Four Pillars Five Element composition can be understood in greater depth when analyzed alongside your Four Pillars reading.
SECTION 052026 Byeong-O Year Direction by Zodiac Sign
Below is a one-line summary of the general energy direction for 2026 Byeong-O Year for each of the 12 zodiac signs. Check MANSHIN AI Tojungbigyeol for your precise personal hexagram.
| Zodiac Sign | 2026 Byeong-O Year Direction Summary |
|---|---|
| Rat (쥐띠 子) | Water and Fire in opposition — a year when new opportunities open if you embrace change |
| Ox (소띠 丑) | Steady expansion — a year for consolidating foundations before cautiously moving forward |
| Tiger (호랑이띠 寅) | Passion and drive shine — be mindful of the Yin-Myo-Sul (인사신) Three Punishment; caution with health and legal matters |
| Rabbit (토끼띠 卯) | Gentle growth — a year when good results follow from relationships and cooperation |
| Dragon (용띠 辰) | Responsibility and achievement — a year of strong energy for completing major projects and earning recognition |
| Snake (뱀띠 巳) | Watch for excessive Fire energy — a year to focus on building substance rather than impulsive decisions |
| Horse (말띠 午) | Birth year sign — personal energy is strongly expressed, with both auspiciousness and challenges standing out |
| Goat (양띠 未) | O-Mi Union (오미합) energy — a year of stable flow where connections and results come together |
| Monkey (원숭이띠 申) | Watch for Yin-Sin Clash (인신충) — better to hold your current position and build inner strength than to move |
| Rooster (닭띠 酉) | Sa-Yu-Chuk Metal energy — careful preparation leads to results in the second half |
| Dog (개띠 戌) | Yin-O-Sul Three Harmony energy — a year of strong energy where bold challenges bring good results |
| Pig (돼지띠 亥) | Watch for Sa-Hae Clash (사해충) — prepare for health and relationship changes and move with care |
※ This content is educational material based on traditional Korean astrology. It is provided for entertainment purposes and does not guarantee actual outcomes.