Twelve Earthly Branches Explained
Comprehensive introduction to the Twelve Earthly Branches (子丑寅卯辰巳午未申酉戌亥) and their fundamental knowledge. Learn about each branch's Five Elements attributes, Yin-Yang properties, zodiac correspondences, time periods, directions, and hidden stem theory, exploring the profound cultural heritage and historical wisdom of the Earthly Branch system in Chinese traditional culture.
Twelve Earthly Branches Overview
Click on the Earthly Branch cards below to learn detailed information about each branch
Characteristics
Zi Water is Yang Water, symbolizing wisdom and flow. Zi hour is midnight when all things return to tranquility, containing the power of new birth.
Personality Traits
- •Quick thinking
- •Good at adaptation
- •Strong learning ability
- •Creative
Earthly Branches Correspondence Table
| Earthly Branch | Zodiac | Time Period | Five Elements | Yin Yang |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🐭Zi (子) | Rat | 11:00 PM - 1:00 AM | Water | Yang |
| 🐮Chou (丑) | Ox | 1:00 AM - 3:00 AM | Earth | Yin |
| 🐯Yin (寅) | Tiger | 3:00 AM - 5:00 AM | Wood | Yang |
| 🐰Mao (卯) | Rabbit | 5:00 AM - 7:00 AM | Wood | Yin |
| 🐲Chen (辰) | Dragon | 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Earth | Yang |
| 🐍Si (巳) | Snake | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Fire | Yin |
| 🐴Wu (午) | Horse | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Fire | Yang |
| 🐑Wei (未) | Sheep | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Earth | Yin |
| 🐵Shen (申) | Monkey | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Metal | Yang |
| 🐔You (酉) | Rooster | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Metal | Yin |
| 🐶Xu (戌) | Dog | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Earth | Yang |
| 🐷Hai (亥) | Pig | 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM | Water | Yin |
Earthly Branches Hidden Stems Table
Hidden Stems in Earthly Branches is an important concept in BaZi astrology. Each Earthly Branch contains different Heavenly Stem energies
| Earthly Branch | Main Qi | Middle Qi | Secondary Qi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐭Zi (子) | 癸 | — | — |
| 🐮Chou (丑) | 己 | 癸 | 辛 |
| 🐯Yin (寅) | 甲 | 丙 | 戊 |
| 🐰Mao (卯) | 乙 | — | — |
| 🐲Chen (辰) | 戊 | 乙 | 癸 |
| 🐍Si (巳) | 丙 | 庚 | 戊 |
| 🐴Wu (午) | 丁 | 己 | — |
| 🐑Wei (未) | 己 | 丁 | 乙 |
| 🐵Shen (申) | 庚 | 壬 | 戊 |
| 🐔You (酉) | 辛 | — | — |
| 🐶Xu (戌) | 戊 | 辛 | 丁 |
| 🐷Hai (亥) | 壬 | 甲 | — |
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Zi contains only Gui Water, which is pure Yin Water, governing wisdom, flow, and change.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Chou is frozen earth, containing Ji Earth as main qi; Gui Water as middle qi, being residual winter water; Xin Metal as secondary qi, being the remaining qi of metal treasury.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Yin is spring wood, with Jia Wood as main qi; Bing Fire as middle qi, because wood generates fire; Wu Earth as secondary qi, being accompanying earth.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Mao contains only Yi Wood, which is pure Yin Wood, governing gentleness, beauty, and growth.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Chen is water treasury, with Wu Earth as main qi; Yi Wood as middle qi, being residual spring wood; Gui Water as secondary qi, being stored water.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Si is summer fire, with Bing Fire as main qi; Geng Metal as middle qi, being the qi of metal's longevity; Wu Earth as secondary qi, following fire generating earth.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Wu is prosperous fire, with Ding Fire as main qi; Ji Earth as middle qi, because fire generates earth.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Wei is wood treasury, with Ji Earth as main qi; Ding Fire as middle qi, being residual summer fire; Yi Wood as secondary qi, being stored wood.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Shen is autumn metal, with Geng Metal as main qi; Ren Water as middle qi, being the water of longevity; Wu Earth as secondary qi, being accompanying earth.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
You contains only Xin Metal, which is pure Yin Metal, governing refinement, beauty, and perfection.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Xu is fire treasury, with Wu Earth as main qi; Xin Metal as middle qi, being residual metal qi; Ding Fire as secondary qi, being stored fire.
Hidden Stems Composition
Hidden Stems Detailed Explanation
Hai is winter water, with Ren Water as main qi; Jia Wood as middle qi, because water generates wood, being the qi of wood's longevity.
Hidden Stems Theory Explanation
💡 Hidden Stems Significance
- • Main Qi：Main Qi: The primary Five Elements attribute of the Earthly Branch, with the strongest power
- • Middle Qi：Middle Qi: The secondary Five Elements attribute of the Earthly Branch, with moderate power
- • Secondary Qi：Secondary Qi: The auxiliary Five Elements attribute of the Earthly Branch, with weaker power
- • Origin：The foundation of Heavenly Stems in Earthly Branches, determining the strength of Heavenly Stems
🔍 Practical Application
- • Strength-Weakness Judgment：Whether Heavenly Stems have roots in Earthly Branches and their strength level
- • Pattern Analysis：Source and strength assessment of favorable and unfavorable gods
- • Lucky Periods：The emergence and interaction of Hidden Stems, especially important when Middle Qi emerges
- • Personality Depth：Main Qi dominates personality, Middle Qi influences potential, Secondary Qi suggests tendencies
In BaZi analysis, Middle Qi often plays a key role in seasonal adjustment and should not be overlooked.
Earthly Branches Relationship Chart
Complex interrelationships exist among Earthly Branches, and these relationships have important significance in astrological analysis
Three Harmonies Relationship
| Combination | Combination | |
|---|---|---|
| Shen-Zi-Chen Water Trinity | 🐵 Shen (申) + 🐭 Zi (子) + 🐲 Chen (辰) | Water |
| Yin-Wu-Xu Fire Trinity | 🐯 Yin (寅) + 🐴 Wu (午) + 🐶 Xu (戌) | Fire |
| Si-You-Chou Metal Trinity | 🐍 Si (巳) + 🐔 You (酉) + 🐮 Chou (丑) | Metal |
| Hai-Mao-Wei Wood Trinity | 🐷 Hai (亥) + 🐰 Mao (卯) + 🐑 Wei (未) | Wood |
Six Clashes Relationship
| Combination | Combination | Conflict Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Zi-Wu Clash | Zi (子) ⚡ Wu (午) | Water-Fire clash, emotional fluctuation |
| Chou-Wei Clash | Chou (丑) ⚡ Wei (未) | Earth-Earth clash, stubborn opposition |
| Yin-Shen Clash | Yin (寅) ⚡ Shen (申) | Wood-Metal clash, ideal-reality conflict |
| Mao-You Clash | Mao (卯) ⚡ You (酉) | Wood-Metal clash, perfectionism conflict |
| Chen-Xu Clash | Chen (辰) ⚡ Xu (戌) | Earth-Earth clash, change-tradition conflict |
| Si-Hai Clash | Si (巳) ⚡ Hai (亥) | Fire-Water clash, wisdom-emotion conflict |
Six Harmonies Relationship
| Combination | Combination | |
|---|---|---|
| Zi-Chou Harmony | Zi (子) + Chou (丑) | Earth |
| Yin-Hai Harmony | Yin (寅) + Hai (亥) | Wood |
| Mao-Xu Harmony | Mao (卯) + Xu (戌) | Fire |
| Chen-You Harmony | Chen (辰) + You (酉) | Metal |
| Si-Shen Harmony | Si (巳) + Shen (申) | Water |
| Wu-Wei Harmony | Wu (午) + Wei (未) | Earth |
Significance of Earthly Branches in BaZi
Earthly Branches not only represent time and space, but also carry profound astrological meanings in the BaZi structure, especially the influences of Monthly Order and Spouse Palace are crucial
Distribution of Earthly Branches in Four Pillars
Early Environment
Greatest Influence
Spouse Information
Later Life Fortune
Monthly Branch serves as Monthly Order, governing the strength of the entire destiny chart; Day Branch serves as Spouse Palace, dominating marriage and relationships
Monthly Order Authority
Monthly Branch governs the strength and weakness of the entire destiny chart, key to pattern formation and useful god selection
Spouse Palace
Day Branch reveals spouse characteristics and marital status, affecting romantic fortune
Hidden Stems System
Each Earthly Branch contains Heavenly Stems, forming complex Five Elements relationship networks
Ancient Wisdom
"The qi of Heavenly Stems moves and is focused, the qi of Earthly Branches is still and complex. Therefore, earthly movements shift and heavenly qi follows; heavenly qi moves above and human elements respond; human elements move below and heavenly qi follows."
—— Dripping Heavenly Marrow・Volume One・Connecting Pass
This passage reveals the essential difference between Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches: Heavenly Stem qi is pure and active, while Earthly Branch qi is complex and static. Due to their hidden stem characteristics, Earthly Branches contain multiple Five Elements energies, playing an important role in carrying and regulating in BaZi astrology.