The Twelve Stages of Longevity: Developmental Phases of All Things

Since ancient times, traditional Chinese metaphysics has used the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to simulate the changes of all things. Among these, the state of the Heavenly Stems within the Earthly Branches has twelve distinct states. Regarding these "Twelve Stages of Longevity," most descriptions are vague, so many people do not truly understand what the Twelve Stages of Longevity are.

The Twelve Stages of Longevity actually represent twelve states. The modern terms are respectively: Conception (Tai), Nourishment (Yang), Birth (Chang Sheng), Bathing (Mu Yu), Dressing (Guan Dai), Official Position (Lin Guan), Imperial Prosperity (Di Wang), Decline (Shuai), Illness (Bing), Death (Si), Tomb (Mu), and Extinction (Jue).

In older classics, there are distinctions from this. For example, the state of "Tomb" should correspond to "Extinction," which is why the saying "finding life in a desperate situation is auspicious" exists. The currently popular description of these states has somewhat drifted from the original ancient meaning. This article is not a textual research paper and will not explain in detail; those interested can consult ancient texts in the Daoist Canon or other materials for detailed comparative study.

Here, using more modern terminology, we reorganize and explain: the development of all things has twelve stages, which can also be divided into twelve periods. The changes between these stages refer to the continuous changes in things during their normal development.

Real-life examples are simple: a thing, regardless of its development stage, may be interrupted and damaged by sudden external forces. Therefore, these twelve stages represent the state of a thing when it is not interrupted; this point must be clear.

The twelve stages are as follows:

Conception (Tai) => Incubation Stage. This is the most fragile stage, easily resulting in "death in the womb" or being easily interrupted. Some say Conception is a good state, but this is not necessarily true. Conception is only a good state relative to other matters; for instance, when a person is pregnant, the fetus is in the stage of incubation, which is considered good. However, being pregnant does not guarantee a successful birth; it simply means having a chance or hope is better than having none, which is better than nothing.

Nourishment (Yang) => Decision Stage. This is the stage of deciding whether something is feasible or whether to proceed. It belongs to the stage of making judgments, determining whether the thing will continue to develop. Some believe the Nourishment stage is very auspicious, but this is also biased because the state of Nourishment may directly interrupt subsequent development. Anything in the state of Nourishment is ambiguous and unclear.

Birth (Chang Sheng) => Implementation Stage. Formal implementation begins, with stronger power and less susceptibility to interruption. In destiny analysis (Ming Li), the Birth stage usually represents having support, personal capability, and developmental power. For example, career or money in the Birth stage is generally favorable.

Bathing (Mu Yu) => Consumption Stage. Things are in a period of consumption. For a company or enterprise, this is the investment phase, which may involve human resources or financial capital. Therefore, in destiny analysis, the Bathing stage often indicates expenditure. Romance (Peach Blossom) is also a form of consumption, and Bathing represents the appearance of consumptive elements, so romance is often closely related to the Bathing stage.

Dressing (Guan Dai) => Minor Success Stage. Things have initially achieved results, laid a good foundation, and entered a phase of benign development. For a small company, this is the best stage for financing to stimulate rapid growth, but once this stage passes, it is no longer suitable. In destiny analysis, the state of Dressing often indicates minor success and minor nobility.

Official Position (Lin Guan) => Achievement Stage. The biggest sign at this time is that the development of things has initially taken shape. For enterprises, attracting financing at this stage may be得不偿失 (costing more than it gains) and could actually result in loss of benefits. Therefore, those in this stage prefer to rely on themselves, as they are about to enter the Imperial Prosperity stage.

Imperial Prosperity (Di Wang) => Peak/Fixed Stage. At this time, things often reach their peak, with all benefits gathered in one place. Everything goes smoothly, all problems can be solved, and luck is very strong. However, hidden worries also begin to emerge here, as development will soon move to the Decline and Illness stages. For enterprises, this is often when a fixed profit model is established and development is excellent. In destiny analysis, Imperial Prosperity represents strong qi and fortune, which is very good. However, the mindset at Imperial Prosperity often disregards other beneficial factors, acting only according to one's own way, causing hidden dangers to accumulate. If at this step one can transform into the Dressing state, it enters a new and larger cycle; otherwise, it is a sign of decline and death.

Decline (Shuai) => Rigidification Stage. After solidification, it becomes rigid, which is inevitable. As the saying goes, "wealth does not pass three generations," or "there is no family that remains prosperous forever," for the same reason. Influences during the development process lead things to form their own development models. Once this model solidifies, it becomes extremely difficult to change because its survival and interests are built on the existing solidified model. When the external environment changes, this solidification becomes rigidity. Therefore, in the Decline stage, it is often not a lack of flexibility, but rather being restricted and unable to adapt.

Illness (Bing) => Malfunction Stage. Generally, upon reaching this stage, things begin to become chaotic, with more and more problems arising. For example, nouveau riche families often produce many prodigal sons. Therefore, wherever there are many prodigal sons, one knows that collapse is imminent. The characteristic at this time is unclear laws and disordered principles. Having experienced the Illness stage, it is inevitable to enter the Death stage, and it is extremely difficult to save.

Death (Si) => Loss of Control Stage. When things develop to this step, they become completely rigid, and collapse is inevitable. Many things have the will but not the strength. For example, in the late Qing Dynasty, countless patriots could not reverse the situation because the fundamental social situation would not develop in the direction everyone hoped for. At this step, if it is an enterprise, it is completely out of control and cannot manage the enterprise's development. In destiny analysis, the saying "human effort is futile" often refers to this stage; even external interference is helpless.

Tomb (Mu) => Chaos Stage. At this step, it is completely chaotic. Generally, if divining human affairs, entering the Tomb state indicates difficulty in movement, hesitation between advance and retreat, and a chaotic surrounding situation where no opportunities can be found. However, Tomb is also an opportunity stage. Generally, at this time, if there is external force to clash with it, the Tomb can reverse to life, entering the Dressing stage. For enterprises, such as equity mergers or additional capital injection at this time, often yields miraculous effects, reversing the situation. Therefore, many enterprises on the verge of bankruptcy are able to survive, mostly because they received a "clash" force during the Tomb stage.

Extinction (Jue) => Despair Stage. At this step, there is absolutely no hope; everything must start over from scratch.

The state of things is often not singular; it is usually multi-layered. For example, in one environment, it may be in the Bathing state, while in another environment, it may be in the Imperial Prosperity state. This is not an either/or situation but a comprehensive state. For instance, some officials have affairs while their careers are at their peak (Imperial Prosperity). Once the Imperial Prosperity state passes and enters Decline and Illness, the Bathing state becomes a burden, accelerating consumption. Therefore, many fallen officials are actually already on a downward trend in their luck.

Therefore, the states of the Twelve Stages of Longevity must be applied flexibly. One must consider the combinations and overlaps between them for the imagery to be richer.