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Name Numerology – Five Grids (五格剖象法)

Computes the five grids (天格, 人格, 地格, 总格, 外格) of a Chinese name from the 康熙字典 stroke counts of the surname and given-name characters, rates each grid with the 81 数理 table, assigns five elements by the last digit and evaluates the 三才 (heaven-human-earth) configuration by the generating and controlling cycles.

When to use

You have the Kangxi stroke counts of a one- or two-character surname and a one- or two-character given name and want the 五格 numbers, their ratings, the 三才 elements and its 生克 assessment.

Do not use when: You need stroke counts themselves (look them up in the 康熙字典; simplified-character counts give different grids), or you want a number rating for a phone or plate (use number-numerology).

Formula

天格 = Σ surname strokes (+1 if one character); 人格 = last surname character + first given-name character; 地格 = Σ given-name strokes (+1 if one character); 总格 = Σ all strokes; 外格 = 总格 − 人格 + [single surname] + [single given name]. Element by last digit: 1/2 木, 3/4 火, 5/6 土, 7/8 金, 9/0 水. Rating from the 81 数理 table (values > 81 → value − 80). 三才 = 天/人/地 elements; assessment by the generating (木→火→土→金→水) and controlling (木→土→水→火→金) cycles.

Five-grid method of 熊崎健翁 as practised in Chinese name numerology; stroke counts must follow the 康熙字典 (e.g. 氵 = 4, 阝 left = 8, 艹 = 6), which differ from simplified counts. Traditional 三才 tables rate each of the 125 combinations individually; this calculator applies the simplified 生克 rule stated in the formula. Traditional reference calculation from the Chinese divination and numerology literature: it reports what the tradition assigns to the cast or number, not a prediction and not medical, legal or financial advice.

Inputs

ParameterTypeUnitRequiredDescription
surname_strokesnumber_listyes康熙字典 stroke count of each surname character (1 or 2 values), e.g. 7 for 李.
given_name_strokesnumber_listyes康熙字典 stroke count of each given-name character (1 or 2 values), e.g. 3,8 for 小明.
surnamestringnoOptional surname characters, shown in the output only.
given_namestringnoOptional given-name characters, shown in the output only.

Outputs

OutputTypeUnitDescription
namestringName as given with the stroke counts used.
tian_geobjectvalue, rating, element and gloss; the surname sum (+1 for a single-character surname), traditionally inherited and not judged alone.
ren_geobjectLast surname character + first given-name character; the main grid.
di_geobjectGiven-name sum (+1 for a single-character given name).
zong_geobjectSum of all real strokes (values above 81 are reduced by 80 for the table).
wai_geobject总格 − 人格 plus 1 for each single-character part (2 for a single surname with a single given name).
sancaistringElements of 天格, 人格 and 地格 as three characters, e.g. 金水木.
sancai_englishstringThe same three elements in English.
sancai_assessmentstring生克 relations 天→人 and 人→地 and the resulting assessment (no controlling pair favourable, one medium, two unfavourable).
total_assessmentstringRatings of the four judged grids and the 三才 in one line.
notesstringStroke-count conventions and cultural framing.

Example

李小明 (7 / 3, 8): {"surname_strokes":[7],"given_name_strokes":[3,8],"surname":"李","given_name":"小明"} → {"tian_ge":{"value":8,"rating":"吉 (auspicious)","element":"金 Metal"},"ren_ge":{"value":10,"rating":"凶 (inauspicious)","element":"水 Water"},"di_ge":{"value":11,"rating":"吉 (auspicious)","element":"木 Wood"},"zong_ge":{"value":18,"rating":"吉 (auspicious)","element":"金 Metal"},"wai_ge":{"value":9,"rating":"凶 (inauspicious)","element":"水 Water"},"sancai":"金水木","sancai_english":"Metal-Water-Wood"}

欧阳修 (15, 17 / 10): {"surname_strokes":[15,17],"given_name_strokes":[10],"surname":"欧阳","given_name":"修"} → {"tian_ge":{"value":32,"rating":"吉 (auspicious)","element":"木 Wood"},"ren_ge":{"value":27,"rating":"半吉 (mixed)","element":"金 Metal"},"di_ge":{"value":11,"rating":"吉 (auspicious)","element":"木 Wood"},"zong_ge":{"value":42,"rating":"半吉 (mixed)","element":"木 Wood"},"wai_ge":{"value":16,"rating":"吉 (auspicious)","element":"土 Earth"},"sancai":"木金木"}

GET https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculate/name-numerology?surname_strokes=7&given_name_strokes=3%2C8&surname=%E6%9D%8E&given_name=%E5%B0%8F%E6%98%8E

Machine access

Sources

FAQ

Why must I use 康熙字典 strokes?

The five-grid method was defined on traditional characters counted by the Kangxi dictionary, where radicals keep their full form (氵 counts 4 as 水, 阝 on the left counts 8 as 阜, 艹 counts 6 as 艸). Simplified counts change every grid.

How is 外格 formed for a single surname and single given name?

Both virtual strokes (the +1 added to 天格 and 地格) are summed, so 外格 = 2 regardless of the characters.

Which grids matter most?

Practitioners weigh 人格 (character and fortune), 地格 (early life) and 总格 (later life) and the 三才 configuration; 天格 is inherited from the surname and is not judged alone.

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