On the Six Earthly Branch Combinations

论支元六合

夫合者，和也，乃阴阳相和，其气自合。子寅辰午申戌六者为阳，丑卯已未酉亥六者为阴，是以一阴一阳和而谓之合。子合丑，寅合亥，却不子合亥，寅合丑，夫何故？造物中虽是阴阳为合，气数中要占阳气为尊，子为一阳，丑为二阴，一二成三数；寅为三阳，亥是六阴，三六成九数；卯为四阳，戌是五阴，四五得九数；辰为五阳，酉为四阴，五四得九数；巳为六阳，申为三阴，六三得九数；午为一阳，未为二阴，一二得三数。子丑午未各得三者，三生万物，余皆得九者，乃阳数极也。
夫合有合禄、合马、合贵之说。珞录子云：是从无而立有，谓见不见之形也。从无立有，喻如甲生人以寅为禄，不见寅而见亥，谓之合禄；寅生人以申为马，不见申而见巳，谓之合马；甲戌庚人以丑未为贵，不见丑未而见子午，谓之合贵。经云：明合不如暗合，拱实不拱虚。此之谓也。《天元变化书》 云：子合丑福轻，丑合子福盛；寅合亥福清，亥合寅福慢；戌合卯福虚，卯合戌福厚；辰合酉福弱，酉合辰大利；午合未福慢，未合午大利；已合申福慢，申合巳官气盛。如甲午辛未只是身旺，却命禄弱，如乙未壬午虽禄弱粗得。又曰：男子忌合绝，女人忌合贵。

On the Six Earthly Branch Combinations

Overall Paraphrased Translation

The essence of Earthly Branch combinations is the harmonious fusion of Yin and Yang energies. Zi, Yin, Chen, Wu, Shen, and Xu belong to Yang 🌞; Chou, Mao, Si, Wei, You, and Hai belong to Yin 🌙. The pairing of Yin and Yang forms the six combinations:

• Zi-Chou combination 🔥 Earth (One Yang + Two Yin = Three, Three gives birth to all things)
• Yin-Hai combination 🌊 Water (Three Yang + Six Yin = Nine, the ultimate Yang number)
• Mao-Xu combination 🔥 Fire (Four Yang + Five Yin = Nine)
• Chen-You combination ⛰ Metal (Five Yang + Four Yin = Nine)
• Si-Shen combination 🌊 Water (Six Yang + Three Yin = Nine)
• Wu-Wei combination 🔥 Earth (One Yang + Two Yin = Three)

Deep Logic of Combining Status/Horse/Nobility: Activating the energy of a destiny chart through "intangible combinations." For example:

• A person born on a Jia (Wood) day takes Yin as their Status (Lu). If the chart lacks Yin but has Hai (Yin-Hai combination), it is called "Combining Status" ✅
• A person born on a Yin day takes Shen as their Horse (Ma). If the chart lacks Shen but has Si (Si-Shen combination), it is called "Combining Horse" ✅
• A person born on a Jia, Wu, or Geng day takes Chou/Wei as their Nobility (Gui). If the chart lacks Chou/Wei but has Zi/Wu (Zi-Chou/Wu-Wei combination), it is called "Combining Nobility" ✅

  📜 Ancient texts emphasize: Explicit combinations are not as good as hidden combinations; solid arching is stronger than empty arching

The Book of Heavenly Origin Transformations reveals differences in the energy of the six combinations:

Branch Combination	Energy Characteristic	Modern Metaphor
Zi combining Chou	Light Fortune 🌱	Slow cooperative gains
Chou combining Zi	Abundant Fortune 🔥	Significant resource integration results
Yin combining Hai	Pure Fortune 💧	Intelligent collaboration
Hai combining Yin	Slow Fortune ⏳	Requires long-term accumulation
Mao combining Xu	Substantial Fortune ⛰	Stable, lasting benefits
Xu combining Mao	Hollow Fortune 🌫️	Superficial prosperity with limited actual gains

Examples:

• Jia Wu + Xin Wei: Although personally strong, resource integration ability is weak

- Yi Wei + Ren Wu: Insufficient foundational energy but skilled at utilizing cooperative opportunities

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🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Concept 💡

Dynamic Balance of Yin and Yang is the essence of the six combinations. Numerical symbolism (Three/Nine) reveals the laws of universal generation and energy extremes. The "hidden combination" mechanism embodies the wisdom of transforming latent resources.

Modern Interpretation 🌟

1. Cooperative Energy Differential → Chou actively combining Zi (Two Yin combining One Yang) yields greater benefits than Zi combining Chou, metaphorically meaning those who actively integrate resources gain more.
2. The Extreme Yang Number Nine → Combinations like Chen-You or Mao-Xu require vigilance against energy overload (e.g., overly rapid cooperative expansion leading to loss of control).
3. Theory of Gender Differences → The ancient saying "Men should avoid combining exhaustion, women should avoid combining nobility" actually means:
   • Men should avoid blind cooperation during low periods (Combining Exhaustion ❌)
   • Women should cautiously use noble connections for personal gain (Combining Nobility ⚠️)

Practical Value ⚡

• Workplace Collaboration: Choose "Mao-Xu combination" type partners (Xu Earth's steadfastness + Mao Wood's innovation)
• Investment Timing: Wu-Wei combination Earth (🔥+🔥) benefits real estate/energy; avoid "Hollow Fortune" combinations (e.g., Xu combining Mao)
• Personal Development: If the destiny chart has many "hidden combinations," one can develop behind-the-scenes resource coordination abilities.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔

"Three gives birth to all things" reveals the Law of the Minimum Action Unit – combinations like Zi-Chou/Wu-Wei activate vitality through the "number three," reminding modern people: minimal effective collaboration (>3 deep interactions) can trigger qualitative change.

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📚 Related Knowledge

• Related Concepts: Triple Combinations (e.g., Shen-Zi-Chen) → Six Combinations are micro-level cooperation; Triple Combinations are macro-level ecosystems.
• Further Reading: Yuan Hai Zi Ping: On Stem and Branch Combination and Transformation explains energy conversion mechanisms.
• Modern Research: Taiwanese scholar Chen Pinhong's Dynamics of Hidden Combinations verifies the slow-release effect of the "Hai combining Yin" pattern in tech innovation teams.