The four pillars of destiny (saju p’alcha, 四柱八字) in premodern Korean literature

This paper analyzes the literary representation of ‘p’alcha’, a unique cultural code derived from the East Asian tradition of destiny interpretation known as Myŏngrihak (Studies of Four Pillars of Destiny). The concept of ‘p’alcha’ transcends simple deterministic fate; it is a complex notion intertwined with an individual’s existential experiences and conditions, profoundly influencing the Korean emotional landscape concerning life. This study focuses on Pyŏn Kangsoe-ka as a key text for understanding this concept. The narrative skillfully incorporates Myŏngrihak devices familiar to the common people of the era. For the protagonist Ongnyŏ, ‘p’alcha’ functions not only as an insurmountable destiny but also as a language of resistance – a means to interpret, confront, and ultimately forge her own path within its limits. By examining Ongnyŏ’s narrative, this paper re-illuminates ‘p’alcha’ as a dual framework of thought through which lower-class women understood and navigated their lives.