Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches

**Heavenly Stems**

In ancient times, the Chinese created ten "Heavenly Stems" to record time. These stems serve as markers for years and days, representing a cycle of ten years or ten days. The ten Heavenly Stems are: Jia (甲), Yi (乙), Bing (丙), Ding (丁), Wu (戊), Ji (己), Geng (庚), Xin (辛), Ren (壬), and Gui (癸). They correspond to the numbers one through ten, with Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, and Ren being odd numbers (yang) and Yi, Ding, Ji, Xin, and Gui being even numbers (yin). Each stem has its own meaning:
- Jia: Like grass and trees breaking through the soil, yang is wrapped in yin. It also refers to armor, symbolizing breaking out of protection.
- Yi: Represents the early stages of plant life, with branches and leaves soft and flexible.
- Bing: Symbolizes brightness, as sunlight is essential for the growth of all things.
- Ding: Represents sturdiness, as plants grow robustly, akin to thriving reproduction.
- Wu: Indicates lushness, with the earth's vegetation flourishing.
- Ji: Represents uprightness, as all things stand tall and can be documented.
- Geng: Indicates change, as autumn arrives and the seasons transition.
- Xin: Associated with the taste of metal, which is produced after things have matured.
- Ren: Represents gestation, with yang energy lurking underground, nurturing new life.
- Gui: Represents planning, with all things hidden underground and new life quietly developing.

Each of the ten Heavenly Stems also has a corresponding element and direction:
- Jia and Yi belong to the east, associated with wood.
- Bing and Ding belong to the south, associated with fire.
- Wu and Ji belong to the center, associated with earth.
- Geng and Xin belong to the west, associated with metal.
- Ren and Gui belong to the north, associated with water.

The Heavenly Stems also interact with each other based on their elements, creating relationships of mutual reinforcement or conflict.

 

**Earthly Branches**

The twelve "Earthly Branches" are: Zi (子), Chou (丑), Yin (寅), Mao (卯), Chen (辰), Si (巳), Wu (午), Wei (未), Shen (申), You (酉), Xu (戌), and Hai (亥). These were created to complement the ten Heavenly Stems to prevent repetition in timekeeping. The twelve Earthly Branches represent the twelve months or the twelve two-hour periods in a day. They correspond to the numbers one through twelve, with Zi, Yin, Chen, Wu, Shen, and Xu being odd numbers (yang) and Chou, Mao, Si, Wei, You, and Hai being even numbers (yin).

Each Earthly Branch also has its own elemental and directional attributes, and because they represent months, they are associated with the four seasons:
- Yin and Mao belong to wood, with Chen belonging to earth, all associated with the east and spring.
- Si and Wu belong to fire, with Wei belonging to earth, all associated with the south and summer.
- Shen and You belong to metal, with Xu belonging to earth, all associated with the west and autumn.
- Hai and Zi belong to water, with Chou belonging to earth, all associated with the north and winter.

The twelve Earthly Branches also have specific meanings:
- Zi: Represents the start of growth, as plants absorb moisture from the soil and begin to sprout.
- Chou: Represents the struggle of seedlings as they prepare to break through the ground.
- Yin: Represents the seedlings emerging from the soil and stretching towards the spring sun.
- Mao: Represents flourishing growth under the warm sunlight.
- Chen: Represents the time when growth is in full swing, with yang energy rising halfway.
- Si: Represents maturity, as growth is complete, with yang energy fully dominant.
- Wu: Represents fullness and abundance, as yang energy peaks and yin begins to emerge.
- Wei: Represents the onset of ripening, as fruits develop their flavors.
- Shen: Represents the completion of growth, as fruits are fully formed.
- You: Represents the time of contraction and retreat, as growth slows down.
- Xu: Represents the decline, as vegetation withers and life force diminishes.
- Hai: Represents the end, as yin energy reaches its peak and life force is extinguished.

 

**Heavenly Stems Five Combinations**

The Heavenly Stems also have specific pairings, known as the "Five Combinations" (Wuhe):
- Jia combines with Ji
- Yi combines with Geng
- Bing combines with Xin
- Ding combines with Ren
- Wu combines with Gui

These combinations are said to "transform into qi," which refers to the generation of specific elements based on these pairings:
- Jia and Ji transform into earth
- Yi and Geng transform into metal
- Bing and Xin transform into water
- Ding and Ren transform into wood
- Wu and Gui transform into fire

 

**Earthly Branches Six Combinations**

The Earthly Branches also have specific pairings, known as the "Six Combinations" (Liuhui):
- Zi combines with Chou
- Yin combines with Hai
- Mao combines with Xu
- Chen combines with You
- Si combines with Shen
- Wu combines with Wei

These combinations are based on the mutual interactions of the branches and are considered harmonious.

 

**Heavenly Stems Conflicts**

The Heavenly Stems also have opposing relationships, known as "Stems Conflicts":
- Jia opposes Geng
- Yi opposes Xin
- Ren opposes Bing
- Gui opposes Ding

 

**Earthly Branches Three Meetings and Three Combinations**

The Earthly Branches can also form "Three Meetings" (Sanhe) and "Three Combinations" (Sanhe) based on their positions in the cycle:
- The Three Meetings: Yin, Mao, and Chen form the eastern wood group; Si, Wu, and Wei form the southern fire group; Shen, You, and Xu form the western metal group; Hai, Zi, and Chou form the northern water group.
- The Three Combinations: Yin, Wu, and Xu form the fire group; Shen, Zi, and Chen form the water group; Hai, Mao, and Wei form the wood group; Si, You, and Chou form the metal group.

 

**Stems and Branches Timekeeping System**

In ancient China, people used the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to record years. The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are combined to represent time, with the stem representing the year or day and the branch representing the month or hour. When combined, they create a cycle of 60 years, known as the "Sexagenary Cycle," from Jiazi (甲子) to Guihai (癸亥), marking a complete cycle.

 

**The Twelve Month Builds**

In Feng Shui, the time system used is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, which is said to have originated during the Xia Dynasty. The "Twelve Month Builds" are based on the positions of the handle of the Big Dipper, specifically the star Yao Guang. The direction of the Big Dipper's handle changes with the months, marking different seasons. During the Spring and Autumn periods, the ancients used the Twelve Earthly Branches to represent directions and seasons, with each branch marking a specific position of the Big Dipper's handle and thus indicating the corresponding month.