TOJEONG BIGYEOL · 212
Tojeong Bigyeol Hexagram 212
The sign of metal entering the copper furnace and at last becoming a great vessel
At a glance
- Hexagram
- 212
- Upper · middle · lower
- 2 · 1 · 2
- The year overall
- A good year
- Brighter months
- lunar months 3, 5 and 8
- Months to take care
- lunar months 1, 6 and 12
Luna Alley's Tojeong readings are for fun and reflection. Read even a difficult hexagram as a guide to how you carry yourself through the year.
The original verse and its meaning
- 金入銅爐 終成大器
Metal enters the copper furnace and at last becomes a great vessel. - 走馬加鞭 天恩揚名
You add the whip to a galloping horse, and by heaven's grace your name spreads far. - 賀客入門 喜氣樂樂
Congratulating guests come through the door, and the joyful air is merry, merry. - 一枝花開 一枝花凋
When flowers bloom on one branch, flowers wither on another.
The verses follow the public-domain Tojeong Bigyeol held by the National Library of Korea; the meanings are Luna Alley's own retelling.
The year ahead
This is a year when your time of tempering ends and you're completed as a great vessel. Like a whip urging on a galloping horse, you pick up speed and your name becomes known. Guests come bearing congratulations, but when one branch blooms another withers, so mind what you might lose too.
This is a year when, after long tempering, you are completed as a great vessel. The first verse's image of metal entering a furnace means one must endure fiery trials to become a useful vessel, so small disputes or hardships early in the year are the process of shaping you. As in the second verse, adding the whip to a galloping horse speeds things up, and your name becomes known as if heaven were helping. The third verse says congratulating guests come through the door, so joyful news like promotions, exam success, or happy events awaits. The fourth verse means that when flowers bloom on one side they fall on the other — a lesson not to forget that whenever you gain something, you also lose something. Amid busy achievement, also look after things that are easy to neglect, like your health, family, and old friends. You'll shine greatly in spring and autumn, and keep a low profile early in the year, for a time in summer, and at year's end. For those unafraid of tempering, this year forges a vessel to use for a lifetime.
A word from Master Tojeong
“Metal becomes a vessel only after passing through fire. If you take this year's toil as tempering, you shall at last become a great vessel. When flowers bloom on one branch, do not forget the other branches.”
Month by month (summary)
Only a short note and the original verse for each month. Dates are the 2027 lunar months.
- Lunar month 1Feb 7 – Mar 7Care
Small disputes easily arise at the very start of the new year this month. Carefully check deadlines and details for documents and official matters.
此月之數 小有口舌 官鬼臨門 或恐官災 · This month's fortune holds small gossip; the official-trouble spirit draws near your door, so legal trouble may be feared.
- Lunar month 2Mar 8 – Apr 6Even
It's an exciting month when a good connection comes. If you keep your heart upright, love and work both go smoothly.
月明紗窓 必逢佳人 持心堅貞 名利自足 · By a moonlit silk-curtained window you meet a lovely one; keep your heart firm and upright, and name and profit will be sufficient of themselves.
- Lunar month 3Apr 7 – May 5Bright
The results of your efforts come back as name and profit this month. Something happens that the people around you sincerely celebrate.
名成利遂 人人致賀 吉星照門 福祿自來 · Your name is made and you gain profit, so everyone congratulates you; a lucky star shines on your door, and blessings and income come of their own accord.
- Lunar month 4May 6 – Jun 4Even
Good opportunities come one after another this month. But they may slip by while you hesitate, so don't put off decisions.
龍得明珠 喜事重重 事貴迅速 勿爲趑趄 · The dragon obtains a bright pearl and joys come layer upon layer; in affairs, speed is prized, so do not hesitate.
- Lunar month 5Jun 5 – Jul 3Bright
Even when sudden variables arise, you get through smoothly with help this month. Rather than struggling to solve things alone, reach out to those around you.
桃李花開 一朝狂風 有人相助 百事順成 · Peach and plum blossoms bloom and then meet a sudden gale one morning, but there are those who help you, so all things are accomplished smoothly.
- Lunar month 6Jul 4 – Aug 1Care
There are fun gatherings, but little substance this month. Even if you rush around here and there, little may remain in your hands.
携酒登樓 可謂仙人 空然而走 勞而無功 · You climb a pavilion with wine in hand and could be called an immortal, but you run around for nothing, only toiling without merit.
- Lunar month 7Aug 2 – Aug 31Even
A tender, warm energy lingers this month. Time with your partner or spouse fills your heart.
水暖鴛鴦 鴛逐金波 利在何方 東南兩方 · The water is warm, so the mandarin ducks chase the golden waves; where does benefit lie? In the two directions of east and south.
- Lunar month 8Sep 1 – Sep 29Bright
The meaning of this year's reading shines brightest this month. Long tempering bears fruit and you're greatly recognized.
終成大器 立身揚名 吉人天祐 終必大亨 · At last you become a great vessel, establish yourself and spread your name; heaven helps the fortunate, so in the end all goes greatly well.
- Lunar month 9Sep 30 – Oct 28Even
A move of house or position may happen this month. There's a lot of movement and you'll be busy, but the outcome is clear and bright.
此月之數 移居之數 晴天明月 天地朗出 · This month's fortune is one of changing residence; a bright moon rises in a clear sky and heaven and earth shine brightly.
- Lunar month 10Oct 29 – Nov 27Even
Someone surnamed Kim from the east becomes a source of strength this month. But if you cause others loss to secure your profit, the misfortune comes back to you first.
東方金姓 必有吉利 損人利己 先受其害 · There is lucky benefit from someone surnamed Kim (金) in the east, but if you harm others to benefit yourself, you will suffer that harm first.
- Lunar month 11Nov 28 – Dec 27Even
There's a worry you can't tell anyone this month. Rather than struggling alone, confide in someone you trust and you'll feel much lighter.
心有誰知 有隱之憂 若非登科 膝下有慶 · Who can know what lies in your heart? There is a hidden worry, but if not success in the state exam, there is joy for your children.
- Lunar month 12Dec 28 – Jan 26, 2028Care
At the tail end of the year, your heart easily grows lonely this month. It's better to avoid partnerships or joint investments this month.
雀朴下 同事不利 旅館寒燈 心事悽然 · Sparrows gather below, so joint ventures are unfavorable; under the cold lamp of an inn far from home, your heart is forlorn.
The nine readings by area (money, love, work, health and more) and the long monthly readings open in the Tojeong Bigyeol app once you find your own hexagram.
Who gets this hexagram?
The hexagram depends on your lunar birth date and the year being read. The upper number comes from your Korean age that year plus the year's taese number, the middle from the length and month number of your birth month that year, and the lower from your birth day plus the day number. So the same person gets a different hexagram each year.
For example, someone born on lunar 3/5/1989 receives this hexagram in 2027.
Find my hexagram
Frequently asked questions
Is Tojeong hexagram 212 a good one?
Hexagram 212 is read as a good year. This is a year when your time of tempering ends and you're completed as a great vessel. Like a whip urging on a galloping horse, you pick up speed and your name becomes known.
Which months need care in hexagram 212?
In hexagram 212, the lower months are lunar months 1, 6 and 12. Avoid rushing big decisions then, and go easy on your body and your words.
How do I find my own Tojeong hexagram?
Enter your birth date in the Luna Alley Tojeong Bigyeol page and it converts solar to lunar and works out the hexagram for you. To do it by hand, the 2027 guide shows the formula with an example.