After mastering Day Master strength, Useful God selection, Major Luck, and Annual Luck, destiny analysis enters a higher-level realm: chart pattern theory. Chart patterns are an important framework in Bazi destiny analysis for judging a person's social level, wealth, and status. The Ziping Method is largely named after Xu Ziping of the Song Dynasty, who systematically developed chart pattern theory, elevating destiny analysis from simple Five Element relationships to a sophisticated system for analyzing social stratification.

The classification of chart patterns is primarily based on the Heavenly Stem revealed in the Month Branch (Month Command), and the relationship between that Stem and the Day Master. The Month Branch is the most important position in the chart because it represents the season of birth, where the commanding energy is at its strongest. If a Heavenly Stem hidden within the Month Branch is revealed in another Pillar, it often constitutes a certain chart pattern.

There are dozens of common patterns, among which the most orthodox and noble include: Direct Officer Pattern, Seven Killings Pattern, Direct Resource Pattern, Indirect Resource Pattern, Direct Wealth Pattern, Indirect Wealth Pattern, Eating God Pattern, Hurting Officer Pattern, Established Sibling Pattern, and Month Blade Pattern. These patterns are named after the Ten God or nature of the Month Branch's revealed Stem, reflecting the relationship between the person and mainstream social values.

The Direct Officer Pattern occurs when the Month Branch is the Direct Officer, or when the Direct Officer is revealed in the Heavenly Stem. The Direct Officer represents legitimate power, status, and reputation. A person with a pure Direct Officer Pattern and a strong Useful God tends to be upright and rule-abiding, suitable for development in government, management, or large organizations, and easily gains social recognition and status advancement. Many of the so-called "noble destinies" in ancient times were Direct Officer Patterns with proper coordination.

The Seven Killings Pattern occurs when the Month Branch is the Seven Killings, or when the Seven Killings is revealed in the Heavenly Stem. The Seven Killings represents coercive pressure, authority, and military positions. The Seven Killings is inherently a fierce spirit, but if properly controlled and transformed, it can instead lead to great achievements. The saying "Seven Killings with control transform into power" means that if the chart contains a Resource star to transform the Killings, or an Eating God to control the Killings, the violent nature of the Seven Killings can be converted into authority and boldness. People with Seven Killings Patterns tend to have strong drive and leadership, suitable for military, judicial, or executive positions requiring decisiveness.

The Wealth Patterns, including Direct Wealth and Indirect Wealth, occur when the Month Branch is a Wealth star, or when a Wealth star is revealed in the Heavenly Stem. Wealth stars represent wealth, material resources, and economic ability. If a person with a Wealth Pattern has a strong Day Master capable of bearing wealth, they often enjoy abundant financial resources throughout life and are suitable for business, finance, investment, and other industries directly related to wealth. Many of the so-called "wealthy destinies" in ancient times were Wealth Patterns with proper coordination.

The Resource Patterns, including Direct Resource and Indirect Resource, occur when the Month Branch is a Resource star, or when a Resource star is revealed in the Heavenly Stem. Resource stars represent knowledge, diplomas, protection, and benefactors. A person with a pure Resource Pattern tends to excel academically and possess noble character, easily receiving support from elders and superiors, and is suitable for education, academia, culture, religion, and other industries requiring knowledge and cultivation.

The Output Patterns, including Eating God and Hurting Officer, occur when the Month Branch is an Output star, or when an Output star is revealed in the Heavenly Stem. Output stars represent talent, skills, creativity, and expressive ability. People with Output Patterns tend to be clever and talented, suitable for arts, entertainment, writing, technology, and freelance professions requiring creativity and expression. The Hurting Officer Pattern especially carries qualities of rebellion and innovation; if properly coordinated, it can produce reformers and creators.

The core of chart pattern theory lies in "pattern formation" and "pattern breakage." A pattern is considered "formed" when the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are properly coordinated, the Useful God is strong, and the Unfavorable God is controlled—this indicates wealth and nobility. A pattern is considered "broken" when the pattern is destroyed by clashes, or when the Useful God is weak and the Unfavorable God is rampant—this indicates poverty and low status. However, it must be noted that chart patterns are not the only factor determining destiny; they must be combined with Day Master strength, Useful God gain or loss, Major Luck coordination, and other factors for comprehensive judgment.

Chart pattern theory embodies the sociological value of the Ziping Method. It attempts to answer a profound question: under the same spatial and temporal background, why are some people wealthy and noble while others are poor and lowly? Chart pattern theory posits that this depends on the degree of match between a person's innate endowment and mainstream social needs. Those with high compatibility enjoy smooth sailing; those with low compatibility find their talents unrecognized. This analytical framework still holds profound significance today.

在掌握了日主强弱、用神取用、大运流年之后，命理学进入更高层次的领域——格局论命。格局，是八字命理学中判断一个人社会层次、富贵贫贱的重要框架。子平术之所以被称为"子平"，很大程度上是因为宋代徐子平系统发展了格局理论，使命理学从简单的五行生克上升为精密的社会阶层分析体系。

格局的划分，主要依据月令（月柱地支）中所透出的天干，以及该天干与日主的关系。月令是八字中最重要的位置，因为它代表出生的季节，当令之气最旺。月令所藏的天干如果透出在其他柱上，往往就构成了某种格局。

常见的格局有数十种，其中最为正统和贵重的包括：正官格、七杀格、正印格、偏印格、正财格、偏财格、食神格、伤官格、建禄格、月刃格等。这些格局以月令本气或透干之十神命名，反映了命主与社会主流价值体系的关系。

正官格，是指月令为正官，或正官透出天干。正官代表正当的权力、地位、名望。正官格的人，如果格局纯粹、用神得力，往往为人正直、做事规矩，适合在政界、管理层或大型组织中发展，容易获得社会认可和地位提升。古人所谓"贵命"，很多就是正官格配合得宜。

七杀格，是指月令为七杀，或七杀透出天干。七杀代表强制的压力、权威、武职。七杀本是凶神，但如果制化得宜，反而能成就大事业。所谓"七杀有制化为权"，如果八字中有印星化杀，或有食神制杀，七杀的暴烈之性就能转化为权威和魄力。七杀格的人，往往具有强烈的进取心和领导力，适合军警、司法、企业高管等需要决断力的职业。

财格，包括正财格和偏财格，是指月令为财星，或财星透出天干。财星代表财富、物质、经济能力。财格的人，如果日主强旺能够担财，往往一生财源广进，适合经商、金融、投资等与财富直接相关的行业。古人所谓"富命"，很多就是财格配合得当。

印格，包括正印格和偏印格，是指月令为印星，或印星透出天干。印星代表学问、文凭、庇护、贵人。印格的人，如果格局清纯，往往学业优异、品德高尚，容易得到长辈、上司的提携，适合从事教育、学术、文化、宗教等需要知识和修养的行业。

食伤格，包括食神格和伤官格，是指月令为食伤，或食伤透出天干。食伤代表才华、技艺、创造力、表达能力。食伤格的人，往往聪明伶俐、才华横溢，适合从事艺术、演艺、写作、技术、自由职业等需要创造力和表达力的领域。伤官格尤其具有叛逆和创新的特质，如果配合得当，可以成为改革者和创造者。

格局论命的核心在于"成格"与"破格"。一个格局如果天干地支配合得宜，用神有力，忌神有制，谓之"成格"，主富贵；如果格局被冲克破坏，或用神无力，忌神猖狂，谓之"破格"，主贫贱。但需要注意的是，格局并非决定命运的唯一因素，还需要结合日主强弱、用神得失、大运配合等综合判断。

格局论命体现了子平术的社会学价值。它试图回答一个深刻的问题：在同样的时空背景下，为什么有人富贵、有人贫贱？格局理论认为，这取决于个人先天禀赋与社会主流需求之间的匹配程度。匹配度高者，顺风顺水；匹配度低者，怀才不遇。这种分析框架，至今仍有深刻的启示意义。