Gold in Sand (Shā Zhōng Jīn)

Shāzhōng Jīn is a Metal-type Nayin combination within the Sixty Jiazi cycle, corresponding to the two Ganzhi (干支) stems-branches of Jiǎwǔ (甲午) and Yǐwèi (乙未). The name evokes the image of metal ore or gold dust hidden within sand or soil. Traditionally, it is believed that this type of metal requires washing or refining to reveal its value, unlike fully formed gold or silver objects. In old almanacs (通書) analyzing a person's destiny based on their birth year or day pillar, if Jiǎwǔ or Yǐwèi appeared, this Nayin was used to symbolize latent potential. In folk customs for selecting auspicious days or in metaphysical forecasting, this Nayin is often used as a reference to help determine the Five Phases attributes, aiding in the choice of favorable times or the analysis of correlations between things.