Earthly Branches

What are Earthly Branches?

Earthly Branches are a symbolic system used in ancient Chinese calendars to record time and months, consisting of twelve characters: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai, known as the "Twelve Earthly Branches".

Detailed Explanation of the Twelve Earthly Branches

• Zi (子): Yang Water, represents rat, North, 23:00-01:00
• Chou (丑): Yin Earth, represents ox, Northeast, 01:00-03:00
• Yin (寅): Yang Wood, represents tiger, East, 03:00-05:00
• Mao (卯): Yin Wood, represents rabbit, East, 05:00-07:00
• Chen (辰): Yang Earth, represents dragon, Southeast, 07:00-09:00
• Si (巳): Yin Fire, represents snake, South, 09:00-11:00
• Wu (午): Yang Fire, represents horse, South, 11:00-13:00
• Wei (未): Yin Earth, represents goat, Southwest, 13:00-15:00
• Shen (申): Yang Metal, represents monkey, Southwest, 15:00-17:00
• You (酉): Yin Metal, represents chicken, West, 17:00-19:00
• Xu (戌): Yang Earth, represents dog, Northwest, 19:00-21:00
• Hai (亥): Yin Water, represents pig, Northwest, 21:00-23:00