Saju Without a Birth Time
You can still read a Saju chart without a birth time. The year, month and day pillars are decided by the date, so six of the eight characters stay the same. Only the hour pillar is missing.
What stays and what is missing
| Part of the chart | Without a birth time |
|---|---|
| Year pillar | Available |
| Month pillar | Available, unless born on the day a solar term changes |
| Day pillar and Day Master | Available, unless born around 23:00 |
| Hour pillar | Missing |
| Five elements count | Counted over six characters instead of eight |
| 10-year luck cycles | Available; the starting age may shift slightly |
The two-hour windows
The hour pillar changes every two hours, starting with the hour of the Rat at 23:00. If a parent remembers early morning or just after lunch, that is often enough to pick the pillar.
In the app
In Sajulume, turn on "I don't know the time" when you add a birthday. The hour column shows Unknown and everything else is calculated as usual. You can add the time later.
FAQ
Can I read Saju without a birth time?
Yes. The year, month and day pillars do not need the hour, so six of the eight characters are available.
Does a missing birth time change my Day Master?
Usually not. It only matters if you were born around 23:00, when the Saju day changes.
Can I guess my birth time?
A two-hour window is enough for the hour pillar. If you know roughly morning or evening, you can compare the possible hour pillars.