The Six Palms: A Beginner's Guide to Xiao Liu Ren

Xiao Liu Ren, or "Small Six Ren," is one of the most accessible doors into Eastern divination. Its name points to its essence: six palms of the hand, each carrying a distinct meaning, each a small window into the flow of circumstance.

Where it comes from

The system traces its roots to the Tang Dynasty, where it was used by travelers, merchants, and everyday people seeking quick guidance. Unlike the elaborate calculations of Ba Zi or Zi Wei Dou Shu, Xiao Liu Ren requires no birth data and no complex charts. Just a question, held in mind.

The six positions are mapped to the knuckles and finger segments of the left hand. A portable compass of fortune that you carry with you always.

The six palms

Da An: Great Peace (大安)

The first palm, associated with the East and the Wood element. Da An signals stability, calm, and smooth progress. When this palm appears, your matter rests on solid ground. Travel is favorable. Business moves forward without obstruction. The energy is slow but reliable, like a tree growing toward the sun.

Liu Lian: Lingering (留连)

The second palm, associated with the North and Water. Liu Lian suggests that things are temporarily stuck. The answer is not yet clear, and pushing forward may create resistance. This is not a bad sign. It is a call for patience. Let the mud settle before you try to see the bottom.

Su Xi: Swift Joy (速喜)

The third palm, associated with the South and Fire. Su Xi is one of the brightest signs in the system. Good news arrives swiftly. Creative work flourishes. Romance warms. Financial matters see quick returns. The energy is active and propulsive. Act while the wave is high.

Chi Kou: Scarlet Quarrel (赤口)

The fourth palm, associated with the West and Metal. Chi Kou warns of spoken harm: arguments, gossip, or sharp words that wound. Legal matters face headwinds. The remedy is silence. Let your actions speak, and the storm will pass.

Xiao Ji: Small Fortune (小吉)

The fifth palm, associated with the Southwest and Wood. Xiao Ji brings quiet, steady good luck. Not the dramatic reversal of Su Xi, but a soft and reliable current of favor. Relationships deepen. Money trickles in. Appreciate the modest gifts. They accumulate into something lasting.

Kong Wang: The Void (空亡)

The final palm, associated with the Center and Earth. Kong Wang is the most difficult sign. It suggests that the matter rests on unstable ground. Plans may dissolve. The energy is depleted. This is a sign to release attachment and wait for a better cycle. Nothing lasts. Including this.

How to use it in daily life

The beauty of Xiao Liu Ren is its immediacy. You do not need to become a scholar to benefit from it. Here are three ways to integrate it into your rhythm:

1. Morning check-in. Hold a simple question in mind. "How does today flow?" and let the result set your tone.
2. Decision support. Facing a choice? Ask "What energy surrounds option A?" The palm will not make the decision for you, but it will reveal the atmosphere around it.
3. Reflection tool. Use the descriptions as prompts for journaling. If you received Chi Kou, ask yourself: where am I speaking sharply? Where am I holding back words that need to be said?

A note on interpretation

No single palm should dictate your actions. These are not commands but suggestions. Patterns to observe and consider. The most useful readings are those that leave room for your own wisdom. The palm opens the door. You walk through it.