What Are the Nine Stars (Kyūsei)?
The Nine Stars is a calendar annotation system originating from the ancient Chinese Luo Shu, which assigns nine types of "stars"—from One White Water Star to Nine Purple Fire Star—to days, months, and years to determine fortune.
The origin of the Nine Stars lies in the "Luo Shu" (Book of Luo) from ancient Chinese legend. It is based on a numerical arrangement (magic square) inscribed on the shell of a divine turtle that emerged from the Luo River.
The Nine Stars are linked to the Five Elements philosophy, with each star assigned one of the five elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—along with a color. In Japan, they are primarily used for directional fortune-telling and divination.
The Nine Stars are assigned to days in a 9-day cycle. Starting from the Kinoe-Ne day closest to the winter solstice in ascending order (Yōton: One White → Nine Purple), and switching to descending order (Inton: Nine Purple → One White) from the Kinoe-Ne day closest to the summer solstice.
Yōton and Inton
Yōton (Yang Advance)
Begins from the Kinoe-Ne day near the winter solstice (solar longitude 270°). Cycles through One White → Two Black → Three Blue-Green → … → Nine Purple in a 9-day period. Corresponds to the period when the sun's power is increasing.
Inton (Yin Retreat)
Begins from the Kinoe-Ne day near the summer solstice (solar longitude 90°). Cycles in reverse order: Nine Purple → Eight White → Seven Red → … → One White. Corresponds to the period when the sun's power is waning.
List of the Nine Stars
| Name | Five Elements | Orientation | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ippaku Suisei (One White Water Star) | Water | North | Flexibility and social fortune. Going with the flow like water, possessing the power to overcome difficulties. |
| Jikoku Dosei (Two Black Earth Star) | Earth | Southwest | Diligence and maternal instinct. The nurturing capacity to foster all things like the earth. Steadfast and patient. |
| Sanpeki Mokusei (Three Blue-Green Wood Star) | Wood | East | Growth and vitality. Grows vigorously like a tree in spring. Strong when taking on new challenges. |
| Shiroku Mokusei (Four Green Wood Star) | Wood | Southeast | Harmony and trust. Spreads like the wind, smoothing interpersonal relationships. Excellent sociability. |
| Goō Dosei (Five Yellow Earth Star) | Earth | Center | Center and sovereign. Positioned at the center of the Nine Stars, it holds the greatest power. Excels in dominance and leadership. |
| Roppaku Kinsei (Six White Metal Star) | Metal | Northwest | Perfection and authority. Possessing the energy of heaven, excelling in leadership. A perfectionist with a strong sense of justice. |
| Shichiseki Kinsei (Seven Red Metal Star) | Metal | West | Joy and financial fortune. Symbolizes abundance like the autumn harvest. Excellent at conversation and sociable. |
| Happaku Dosei (Eight White Earth Star) | Earth | Northeast | Change and accumulation. Immovable like a mountain, steadily building things up. Strong in real estate fortune. |
| Kyūshi Kasei (Nine Purple Fire Star) | Fire | South | Intelligence and beauty. Shines like the sun and brings clarity to matters. Blessed with artistic talent. |
Each of the Nine Stars has its own inherent direction and is arranged in eight directions in a configuration called the Later Heaven arrangement (Kōten Jōi). The Five Yellow Earth Star is positioned at the center and has no direction.
| Shiroku (Four Green) Southeast |
Kyūshi (Nine Purple) South |
Jikoku (Two Black) Southwest |
| Sanpeki (Three Blue-Green) East |
Goō (Five Yellow) Center |
Shichiseki (Seven Red) West |
| Happaku (Eight White) Northeast |
Ippaku (One White) North |
Roppaku (Six White) Northwest |
* The above shows the Later Heaven arrangement (south at top).