Compatibility of 乙 with 庚: Yin Wood and Yang Metal

Around an old iron gate, a climbing rose has wrapped itself. The flower is Yin Wood; the sword is Yang Metal. These two stems form a combination, an old pact the books link with kindness and loyalty. There's often a strong pull, a feeling of having found the missing piece. For the flower, the sword is Direct Officer: respect, protection, a firm hand.

For the sword, the flower is Direct Wealth, something precious to look after. The risk is that the flower bends too much to please. The sword may take the lead a little too firmly. Little by little, one voice can fade. It helps when the sword asks and listens before deciding. And the flower can say no without fear. Then the rose and the gate stand together, both beautiful.

A strong, loyal bond; it stays healthy when both voices count.

Trim a fresh stem with a florist's knife, and the flower lasts longer in the vase. Here the sword is the knife and the flower is the bloom. These two stems form a classic combination, a strong and natural bond. For the flower, the sword is Direct Officer, the star of order and honour. For the sword, the flower is Direct Wealth, the star of someone to protect and provide for. In plain words: the sword tends to guard the flower, and the flower softens the sword's hard edges.

The sword can be firm to the point of bossy. The flower may give in too easily just to keep the peace. Over time it can lose its own say. Old books call this the combination of kindness and duty, and both halves matter. The sword brings the duty; the flower should feel free to bring the kindness.

They're bound closely; the bond thrives when protection doesn't turn into control.

Picture a silk ribbon tied to a sword's hilt: soft and hard, fastened together. This mother is the ribbon and the child is the sword. Their Day Masters form a combination, one of the five classic pairs that draw together. Traditionally it is called the bond of kindness and duty. The child often protects her fiercely.

The child is her Direct Officer, a voice of order she respects. For the child, she is Direct Wealth, something steady and dear. The risk is that the child becomes the boss of the house. She may try too hard to please. What helps is keeping her own say in her own life. Respect works best when it runs both ways.

A close, protective bond; it stays balanced when the mother keeps her own voice.

Think of a rose kept safe inside a steel locket. Their signs form a combination, which traditionally means a close, natural bond. To him, she is the Direct Officer, the star of order and dignity. She tends to bring out his best behavior.

To her, he is the Direct Wealth, the one she looks after and counts on. She may be firmer than he is. That works well, as long as she leaves space for his softer ways.

They're naturally drawn together; she brings structure and he brings softness.

A climbing rose ties itself around an iron gate, and both look better for it. The old books call this pair a combination, a natural bond. The daughter-in-law is the iron, the mother-in-law the flower. To the mother-in-law, she is Direct Officer, someone whose sense of order she respects.

To the daughter-in-law, the mother-in-law is Direct Wealth, steady and dear. This often turns into real fondness. The risk is that the mother-in-law gives in to everything, then feels pushed. Or the younger woman takes charge too fast. Ask each other's opinion, and keep a little of your own way.

A natural attraction between them; it stays fair when both keep their own voice.