Tian Gan Di Zhi Guan Xi Zong Biao (天干地支关系总表) - Stem-Branch Relations Summary

Understanding Stem-Branch Relations (天干地支关系)

The relationships between Heavenly Stems (天干) and Earthly Branches (地支) form the foundation of Ba Zi (八字) divination. Understanding these relationships is essential for accurate chart analysis.

The Ten Heavenly Stems (十天干)

The ten stems represent fundamental energies:

• Jia (甲): Yang Wood, beginning, creativity
• Yi (乙): Yin Wood, flexibility, growth
• Bing (丙): Yang Fire, brightness, energy
• Ding (丁): Yin Fire, warmth, refinement
• Wu (戊): Yang Earth, stability, substance
• Ji (己): Yin Earth, nurturing, adaptability
• Geng (庚): Yang Metal, strength, authority
• Xin (辛): Yin Metal, refinement, precision
• Ren (壬): Yang Water, flow, wisdom
• Gui (癸): Yin Water, flexibility, wisdom

The Twelve Earthly Branches (十二地支)

The twelve branches represent temporal cycles:

• Zi (子): Rat, Water, midnight
• Chou (丑): Ox, Earth, 1-3 AM
• Yin (寅): Tiger, Wood, 3-5 AM
• Mao (卯): Rabbit, Wood, 5-7 AM
• Chen (辰): Dragon, Earth, 7-9 AM
• Si (巳): Snake, Fire, 9-11 AM
• Wu (午): Horse, Fire, 11 AM-1 PM
• Wei (未): Goat, Earth, 1-3 PM
• Shen (申): Monkey, Metal, 3-5 PM
• You (酉): Rooster, Metal, 5-7 PM
• Xu (戌): Dog, Earth, 7-9 PM
• Hai (亥): Pig, Water, 9-11 PM

Stem-Branch Combinations

1. The Sixty Jia Zi (六十甲子)

The complete cycle of stem-branch combinations:

• Cycle: 60 unique combinations
• Complete Cycle: Represents one full cycle of time
• Used For: Dating, timing events

2. Hidden Stems (地支藏干)

Each branch contains hidden stems:

• Zi (子): Contains Gui (癸)
• Chou (丑): Contains Ji (己), Geng (庚), Xin (辛)
• Yin (寅): Contains Jia (甲), Bing (丙), Wu (戊)
• Mao (卯): Contains Yi (乙)
• Chen (辰): Contains Wu (戊), Gui (癸), Yi (乙)
• Si (巳): Contains Bing (丙), Geng (庚), Ren (壬)
• Wu (午): Contains Ding (丁), Ji (己)
• Wei (未): Contains Ji (己), Yi (乙), Ding (丁)
• Shen (申): Contains Geng (庚), Ren (壬), Xin (辛)
• You (酉): Contains Xin (辛)
• Xu (戌): Contains Geng (庚), Xin (辛), Ding (丁)
• Hai (亥): Contains Ren (壬), Jia (甲)

Key Relationships

1. Generating Cycle (相生)

• Wood generates Fire
• Fire generates Earth
• Earth generates Metal
• Metal generates Water
• Water generates Wood

2. Controlling Cycle (相克)

• Wood controls Earth
• Earth controls Water
• Water controls Fire
• Fire controls Metal
• Metal controls Wood

3. Clashes (六冲)

• Zi clashes with Wu
• Chou clashes with Wei
• Yin clashes with Shen
• Mao clashes with You
• Chen clashes with Xu
• Si clashes with Hai

4. Combinations (六合)

• Zi combines with Chou
• Yin combines with Wei
• Mao combines with Xu
• Shen combines with You
• Wu combines with Wei
• Hai combines with Shen

5. Triple Combinations (三合)

• Shen-Zi-Chen: Metal trinity
• Wu-Yin-Xu: Fire trinity
• Hai-Mao-Wei: Water trinity
• Chou-Si-You: Earth trinity

Practical Applications

Understanding stem-branch relationships helps with:

• Chart Analysis: Understanding element interactions
• Timing: Determining event timing
• Pattern Recognition: Identifying chart patterns
• Prediction: Forecasting events

Important Considerations

When analyzing relationships:

• Multiple Relationships: Consider all relationship types
• Context
• Apply to overall chart
• Balance
• Consider element balance
• Experience
• Practice improves understanding

Conclusion

The relationships between stems and branches form the complex language of Ba Zi. Mastering these relationships is essential for accurate chart analysis and prediction.