Liu He: Six Harmonies and the Bound State

Combination is not just friendliness.

When two branches combine, they can bind each other. A bound line may be present, strong, and relevant, but unable to act freely.

The six combination pairs

You do not need to turn every pair into a major event. Ask whether the combination affects the target, support, obstacle, or an active line on the route to the target.

The bound state has stricter triggers than ordinary combination. It usually matters when the target or an active path is combined by the Day, the Month, or a moving line with enough authority to hold it. Two unrelated quiet lines combining in the background are not automatically a bound target.

Bound state

This is why bound states often become timing signals. If the question asks when, the release branch becomes important.

Keep two effects separate. Combination can create an elemental output, and combination can bind action. Those are not the same reading move. A line may be lifted, held, or simply involved in an elemental relationship depending on whether it is static, moving, the target, or only a background line.

Common traps

Source basis: Zengshan Buyi and Huang Jin Ce combination discussions. Timing of release is handled in Act 8.

What this module establishes

Combination can bind. Bound lines wait for release.

That becomes crucial later when a support line exists but cannot actually support.

-> 5.7 San He: The Four Three-Harmony Frames