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At the heart of Chinese astrology, calendar systems, and traditional philosophy lies an elegant yet profound system called Tiangan Dizhi (天干地支) the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. This ancient system, developed over 3,000 years ago, continues to influence everything from Chinese New Year celebrations to personal destiny analysis.
Heavenly Stems & Earthly Branches: The Foundation of Chinese Astrology
Discover the 10 Heavenly Stems (天干) and 12 Earthly Branches (地支) - the ancient system that forms the basis of Chinese calendars, BaZi astrology, and the 60 Jiazi cycle.
Introduction to Tiangan Dizhi (天干地支)
At the heart of Chinese astrology, calendar systems, and traditional philosophy lies an elegant yet profound system called Tiangan Dizhi (天干地支) - the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. This ancient system, developed over 3,000 years ago, continues to influence everything from Chinese New Year celebrations to personal destiny analysis.
The 10 Heavenly Stems (天干 - Tiān Gān)
The Heavenly Stems represent celestial energy and cosmic principles. They are organized by the Five Elements, with each element having both a Yang (陽) and Yin (陰) manifestation:
Wood Element (木)
- 甲 (Jiǎ) - Yang Wood - The Towering Tree - Energy: Bold, pioneering, visionary - Like a mighty oak, you stand tall and lead the way - 乙 (Yǐ) - Yin Wood - The Graceful Vine - Energy: Flexible, diplomatic, adaptive - Like bamboo that bends but doesn't breakFire Element (火)
- 丙 (Bǐng) - Yang Fire - The Blazing Sun - Energy: Brilliant, generous, attention-commanding - You illuminate everything around you - 丁 (Dīng) - Yin Fire - The Gentle Flame - Energy: Warm, subtle, transformative - Like a candle guiding through darknessEarth Element (土)
- 戊 (Wù) - Yang Earth - The Mighty Mountain - Energy: Stable, reliable, immovable - A foundation others can depend on - 己 (Jǐ) - Yin Earth - The Fertile Soil - Energy: Nurturing, accepting, productive - You help others grow and flourishMetal Element (金)
- 庚 (Gēng) - Yang Metal - The Resolute Sword - Energy: Sharp, decisive, righteous - Cutting through obstacles with precision - 辛 (Xīn) - Yin Metal - The Precious Gem - Energy: Refined, sensitive, perfectionist - Beauty and value beneath the surfaceWater Element (水)
- 壬 (Rén) - Yang Water - The Vast Ocean - Energy: Powerful, deep, encompassing - Containing infinite wisdom and potential - 癸 (Guǐ) - Yin Water - The Nourishing Rain - Energy: Gentle, perceptive, sustaining - Quietly nurturing all living thingsThe 12 Earthly Branches (地支 - Dì Zhī)
The Earthly Branches represent terrestrial energy and are famously connected to the 12 Chinese zodiac animals:
| Branch | Animal | Hours | Element | Hidden Stems | |--------|--------|-------|---------|--------------| | 子 (Zǐ) | 🐀 Rat | 23:00-01:00 | Water | 癸 | | 丑 (Chǒu) | 🐂 Ox | 01:00-03:00 | Earth | 己癸辛 | | 寅 (Yín) | 🐅 Tiger | 03:00-05:00 | Wood | 甲丙戊 | | 卯 (Mǎo) | 🐰 Rabbit | 05:00-07:00 | Wood | 乙 | | 辰 (Chén) | 🐲 Dragon | 07:00-09:00 | Earth | 戊乙癸 | | 巳 (Sì) | 🐍 Snake | 09:00-11:00 | Fire | 丙戊庚 | | 午 (Wǔ) | 🐴 Horse | 11:00-13:00 | Fire | 丁己 | | 未 (Wèi) | 🐐 Goat | 13:00-15:00 | Earth | 己丁乙 | | 申 (Shēn) | 🐵 Monkey | 15:00-17:00 | Metal | 庚壬戊 | | 酉 (Yǒu) | 🐔 Rooster | 17:00-19:00 | Metal | 辛 | | 戌 (Xū) | 🐕 Dog | 19:00-21:00 | Earth | 戊辛丁 | | 亥 (Hài) | 🐷 Pig | 21:00-23:00 | Water | 壬甲 |
Hidden Stems (藏干)
Each Earthly Branch contains "hidden" Heavenly Stems within it. This is crucial for BaZi analysis: - Main Qi (本气): The dominant energy - Central Qi (中气): Secondary energy - Residual Qi (余气): Minor influence
For example, Tiger (寅) contains: - Main: 甲 (Yang Wood) - Central: 丙 (Yang Fire) - Residual: 戊 (Yang Earth)
The 60 Jiazi Cycle (六十甲子)
When the 10 Heavenly Stems cycle with the 12 Earthly Branches, they create a 60-combination cycle called Jiazi (甲子), named after the first combination:
The cycle begins: 1. 甲子 (Jiǎzǐ) - Wood Rat 2. 乙丑 (Yǐchǒu) - Wood Ox 3. 丙寅 (Bǐngyín) - Fire Tiger ... 60. 癸亥 (Guǐhài) - Water Pig
After 60 years, the cycle repeats. This is why Chinese traditionally celebrate their 60th birthday as a significant milestone - they've completed one full cosmic cycle!
Branch Relationships
The Six Harmonies (六合)
Certain branch pairs naturally harmonize: - 子丑 (Rat-Ox) → Earth - 寅亥 (Tiger-Pig) → Wood - 卯戌 (Rabbit-Dog) → Fire - 辰酉 (Dragon-Rooster) → Metal - 巳申 (Snake-Monkey) → Water - 午未 (Horse-Goat) → FireThe Six Clashes (六冲)
Opposite branches create tension: - 子午 (Rat-Horse) - 丑未 (Ox-Goat) - 寅申 (Tiger-Monkey) - 卯酉 (Rabbit-Rooster) - 辰戌 (Dragon-Dog) - 巳亥 (Snake-Pig)The Triple Harmony (三合)
Three branches combine to strengthen an element: - 申子辰 → Water Frame - 寅午戌 → Fire Frame - 巳酉丑 → Metal Frame - 亥卯未 → Wood FramePractical Applications
In BaZi (Four Pillars)
Your birth chart contains four pillars, each with a Stem-Branch pair: - Year Pillar: Your social mask and ancestry - Month Pillar: Your career and parents - Day Pillar: Your core self (Day Master) - Hour Pillar: Your aspirations and childrenIn Date Selection
Important events like weddings, business openings, and moving houses use the Stem-Branch system to find auspicious dates.In Feng Shui
The Earthly Branches correspond to directions, helping determine the best placement of objects and orientation of buildings.Conclusion
The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches system is far more than an ancient curiosity - it's a sophisticated framework for understanding time, energy, and destiny. Whether you're exploring your BaZi chart, selecting an auspicious date, or simply curious about Chinese culture, this system offers profound insights.
Ready to discover your Four Pillars? Try our BaZi Calculator to reveal your complete Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches chart!
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