Void (Gongmang) | Saju Glossary

Gongmang (Void) literally means "emptiness vanishes." In the Sexagenary Cycle (60 Stem-Branch combinations), when pairing 10 Heavenly Stems with 12 Earthly Branches, two Branches are always left without a partner. Since there are 10 Stems but 12 Branches, within each ten-day group (Sun), two Branches inevitably go unmatched. These unmatched Branches are the Gongmang. For example, in the ten-day group starting with Gap-Ja, the Branches Sul (Dog) and Hae (Pig) become the Void. A person's Day Pillar Void represents an "empty seat" in their life. Interpreting Gongmang: ● Energy corresponding to a Void position is genuinely weakened or diminished in effect ● If the Void falls on a Wealth star, financial fortune may be highly variable ● If the Void falls on an Authority star, career positions and titles may change frequently ● Gongmang is not necessarily negative — it can also mean "liberation" from existing constraints ● In spiritual and academic fields, Gongmang is sometimes interpreted as an element that heightens intuition and inspiration Significant changes may arrive when the Void is filled (through clash or transition) during Major Luck Cycles or Annual Fortune. To understand the Void more deeply, it helps to know which Branches become Void in each of the six ten-day groups. In the Gap-Ja group, Sul and Hae are Void. In Gap-Sul, Sin and Yu are Void. In Gap-Sin, O and Mi are Void. In Gap-O, Jin and Sa are Void. In Gap-Jin, In and Myo are Void. In Gap-In, Ja and Chuk are Void. Once you identify which ten-day group your Day Pillar belongs to, you can naturally determine your Void Branches. The most common misconception about Gongmang is the belief that Void equals misfortune. In reality, the Void means the relevant energy is empty, not that disaster is inevitable. The effect of the Void varies greatly depending on which Ten God occupies the Voided position. For instance, if Indirect Authority (Seven Killings) is Voided, you may actually be freer from power struggles and external pressure. If Hurting Officer is Voided, the sharp edge of expression may soften, leading to smoother interpersonal relations. Conversely, if Direct Wealth is Voided, stable income may see fluctuations, and if Direct Seal is Voided, unexpected complications may emerge in academic pursuits or certification processes. Historically, Gongmang has been linked to the Buddhist and Taoist concept of Emptiness (Kong). From the philosophical perspective that emptiness equals possibility, individuals with Gongmang tend to be relatively free from worldly greed and often distinguish themselves in spiritual domains such as art, academia, religion, and psychological counseling. It is not uncommon to find Gongmang in the charts of renowned artists and spiritual leaders. In practical life, the effects of Gongmang are most palpable when the Void is filled or when it receives a clash. For example, if a person's Void Branch is Sul (Dog) and a Sul year or Major Luck Cycle arrives, the previously dormant energy suddenly activates, potentially bringing significant change. Conversely, when fortune brings a clash to the Void Branch, energy is forcibly injected into the empty seat, sometimes triggering unexpected events. Anticipating these periods allows for better preparation. DESTIGER automatically calculates the Void Branches based on the user's Day Pillar and analyzes where the Void sits within the natal chart and which Ten Gods it connects to. It also identifies when the current Major Luck Cycle or Annual Fortune will fill or activate the Void, helping users prepare in advance for the moment when dormant energy comes alive.