Shi Er Di Zhi (十二地支) - Twelve Earthly Branches

What are the Twelve Earthly Branches (十二地支)?

Shi Er Di Zhi (十二地支), translated as "Twelve Earthly Branches" or "Twelve Terrestrial Branches," are the twelve symbols that represent cyclical time cycles in Chinese metaphysics. They work with the Ten Heavenly Stems to create the 60 Jia Zi cycle and are fundamental to all forms of Chinese divination.

The Twelve Branches

1. Zi (子) - Rat

• Animal: Rat
• Element: Water
• Nature: Yang, active
• Hours: 11pm-1am
• Direction: North

2. Chou (丑) - Ox

• Animal: Ox
• Element: Earth
• Nature: Yin
• Hours: 1am-3am
• Direction: Northeast

3. Yin (寅) - Tiger

• Animal: Tiger
• Element: Wood
• Nature: Yang
• Hours: 3am-5am
• Direction: Northeast

4. Mao (卯) - Rabbit

• Animal: Rabbit
• Element: Wood
• Nature: Yin
• Hours: 5am-7am
• Direction
• East

5. Chen (辰) - Dragon

• Animal: Dragon
• Element: Earth
• Nature: Yang
• Hours: 7am-9am
• Direction
• Southeast

6. Si (巳) - Snake

• Animal: Snake
• Element: Fire
• Nature: Yin
• Hours: 9am-11am
• Direction
• Southeast

7. Wu (午) - Horse

• Animal: Horse
• Element: Fire
• Nature: Yang
• Hours: 11am-1pm
• Direction
• South

8. Wei (未) - Goat

• Animal: Goat
• Element: Earth
• Nature: Yin
• Hours: 1pm-3pm
• Direction
• Southwest

9. Shen (申) - Monkey

• Animal: Monkey
• Element: Metal
• Nature: Yang
• Hours: 3pm-5pm
• Direction
• Southwest

10. You (酉) - Rooster

• Animal: Rooster
• Element: Metal
• Nature: Yin
• Hours: 5pm-7pm
• Direction
• West

11. Xu (戌) - Dog

• Animal: Dog
• Element: Earth
• Nature: Yang
• Hours: 7pm-9pm
• Direction
• Northwest

12. Hai (亥) - Pig

• Animal: Pig
• Element: Water
• Nature: Yin
• Hours: 9pm-11pm
• Direction
• Northwest

Elemental Distribution

Wood Branches

• Yin (寅): Wood Tiger
• Mao (卯): Wood Rabbit

Fire Branches

• Si (巳): Fire Snake
• Wu (午): Fire Horse

Earth Branches

• Chen (辰): Earth Dragon
• Chou (丑): Earth Ox
• Wei (未): Earth Goat
• Xu (戌): Earth Dog

Metal Branches

• Shen (申): Metal Monkey
• You (酉): Metal Rooster

Water Branches

• Zi (子): Water Rat
• Hai (亥): Water Pig

Hidden Stems

Each branch contains hidden stems:

• Zi (子): Contains only Gui (癸)
• Chou (丑): Contains Ji (己), Xin (辛), Gui (癸)
• Yin (寅): Contains Jia (甲), Bing (丙), Wu (戊)

Relationships

Branches interact through:

• Clashes (冲): Opposition
• Combinations (合)
• Harmony
• Triples (三合)
• Three-branch groups

Conclusion

The Twelve Earthly Branches (十二地支) are fundamental to Chinese metaphysics. They represent time cycles, directions, and contain hidden energies that are essential for accurate divination.