The Earthly Branches Chapter

地支篇

子

五行：属水
性别：属阴
方位：北方
月令：十一月
节气：大雪为子月节；冬至为子月气。
藏干：癸
生：子生甲乙寅卯；庚辛申酉生子。
克：子克丙丁己午；戊己辰戌丑未克子。
合：子丑相合
刑：子卯相刑
冲：子午相冲
害：子未相害
三合：申子辰合成水局
方合：亥子丑合为北方
例：
子生 甲申生子，与子三合成水局
子克丙子十一月，大雪至小寒，阴水，藏癸
子克丁丑克子，合子，又会北方
子克丁未克子，害子

丑

五行：属土
性别：属阴
方位：中央
月令：十二月
节气：小寒为丑月节；大寒为丑月气。
藏干：己癸辛
生：丑生庚辛申酉；丙丁己午生丑。
克：丑克壬癸亥子；甲乙寅卯克丑。
合：子丑相合
刑：酉戌相刑
冲：丑未相冲‘
害：丑午相害
三合：乙酉丑合成金局
方合：亥子丑合为北方
例：
丑克癸酉与丑三合成金局，丑生
克丑乙丑阴土，十二月，小寒至立春，藏己辛癸
生丑丙子丑克，合丑
克丑甲午生丑，害丑

寅

五行：属木
性别：属阳
方位：东方
月令：正月
节气：立春为寅月节，雨水为寅月气。
藏干：甲丙戊
生：寅生丙丁巳午，壬癸亥子生寅。
克：寅克戊己辰戌丑未，庚辛申酉克寅。
合：寅亥相合
刑：寅巳相刑
冲：寅申相冲
害：寅巳相害
三合：寅午戌合成火局
方合：寅卯辰合为东方
例：
比寅乙巳寅生，害寅，刑寅
寅克戊寅正月，立春至惊蛰阳木，藏甲内戊
克寅庚申克寅，冲寅
寅生丁亥生寅，合寅

卯

五行：属木
性别：属阴
方位：东方
月令：二月
节气：惊蛰为卯月节；春分为卯月气。
藏干：乙
生：卯生丙丁己午；壬癸亥子生卯。
克：卯克戊己辰戌丑未；庚辛申酉克卯
合：卯戌相合
刑：子卯相刑
冲：卯酉相冲
害：卯辰相害
三合：亥卯未合成木局
方合：寅卯辰合为东方
例：
卯生丙子生卯，刑卯
克卯辛卯二月，惊蛰至清明，阴木，藏乙
生卯壬辰与卯合为东方，害卯，卯克
卯克己酉克卯，卯冲

辰

五行：属土
性别：属阳
方位：中央
月令：三月
节气：清明为辰月节，谷雨为辰月气。
藏干：戊乙癸
生：辰生庚辛申酉；丙丁已午生辰。
克：辰克壬癸亥子；甲子寅卯克辰。
合：辰酉相合
刑：二辰自刑
冲：辰戌相冲
害：卯辰相害
三合：申子辰合成水局
方合：寅卯辰合为东方
例：
生辰丁酉辰生，合辰
克辰申辰三月，清明至立夏，阳土，藏戊乙癸
辰克壬戌比辰，冲辰

巳

五行：属火
性别：属阳
方位：南方
月令：四月
节气：立夏为巳月节；小满为巳月气。
藏干：丙戊庚
生：巳生戊己辰戌丑未；甲乙寅卯生巳。
克：巳克庚辛申酉；壬癸亥子克巳。
合：巳申相合
刑：寅己相刑巳申相刑
冲：已亥相冲
害：寅巳相害
三合：巳酉丑合成金局
方合：己午未合为南方
例：
巳生戊寅生巳刑巳，害巳，
比巳丁己四月，立夏至芒种，阳火，藏丙戊庚
克巳壬申巳克，合巳
巳克辛亥克巳，冲巳

午

五行：属火
性别：属阴
方位：南方
月令：五月
节气：芒种为五月节夏至为五月气
藏干：丁己
生：午生戊己辰戌丑未；甲乙寅卯生午
克：午克庚辛申酉；壬癸亥子克午
合：午未相合
刑：二午自刑
冲：子午相冲
害：丑午相害
三合：寅午戌合成火局
方合：巳午未合为南方
例：
午克辛丑午生，害午
生午甲午五月，芒种至小暑，阴火，藏丁己
克午壬子克午，冲午
比午丁未午生，合午，与午合为南方

未

五行：属土
性别：属阴
方位：中央
月令：六月
节气：小暑为未月节；大暑为未月气。
藏干：己丁乙
生：未生庚辛申酉；丙丁已午生未。
克：未克壬癸亥子；甲乙寅卯克未。
合：午未相合
刑：戌未相刑
冲：丑未相冲
害：子未相害
三合：亥卯未合成木局
方合：巳午未合为南方
例：
生未丙戌比未，刑未
克未乙未六月，小暑至产秋，阴土，藏乙丁己
未生辛丑比未，冲未
比未戊子未克，害未

申

五行：属金
性别：属阳
方位：西方
月令：七月
节气：立秋为申月节，处暑为申月气。
藏干：戊庚壬
生：申生壬癸亥子；戊己辰戌丑未生申。
克：申克甲乙寅卯；丙丁己午克申。
合：巳申相合
刑：巳申相刑
冲：寅申相冲
害：申亥相害
三合：申子辰合成水局
方合：申酉戌合为西方
例：
申克乙亥申生，害申
申克甲申七月，立秋至白露，阳金，藏戊庚壬
生申己巳克申，合申，刑申
克申丙寅申克，冲申

酉

五行：属金
性别：属阴
方位：西方
月令：八月
节气：白露为酉月节；秋分为酉月气。
藏干：辛
生：酉生壬癸亥子；戊己辰戌丑未生酉。
克：酉克甲乙寅卯；丙巳午克酉。
合：辰酉相合
刑：二酉自刑
冲：卯酉相冲
害：酉戌相害
三合：巳酉丑合成金局
方合：申酉戌合为西方
例：
克酉丙辰生酉，合酉
克酉丁酉八月，白露至寒露，阴金，藏辛。
酉生癸卯酉克，冲酉
酉生壬戌生酉，害酉，与酉合为西方

戌

五行：属土
性别：属阳
方位：中央
月令：九月
节气：寒露戌月节，霜降为戌月气。
藏干：戊辛丁
生：戌生庚辛申酉；丙丁巳午生戌。
克：戌克壬癸亥子；甲乙寅卯克戌。
合：卯戌相合
刑：丑刑戌戌刑未
冲：辰戌相冲
害：酉戌相害
三合：寅午戌合成火局
方合：申酉戌合为西方
例：
戌克癸卯克戌，合戌
戌克壬戌九月，寒露至立冬，阳土，藏戊辛丁
生戌丙辰比戌，冲戌
生戌丁酉戌生，害戌，与戌合为西方

亥

五行：属水
性别：属阳
方位：北方
月令：十月
节气：立冬为亥月节，小雪为亥月气。
藏干：壬甲
生：亥生甲乙寅卯；庚辛申酉生亥。
克：亥克丙丁巳午；戊己辰戌丑未克亥。
合：寅亥相合
刑：二亥自刑
冲：已亥相冲
害：申亥相害
三合：亥卯未合成木局
方合：亥子丑合为北方
例：
克亥戊寅亥生，合亥
比亥癸亥十月，立冬至大雪，阳水，藏壬甲
亥克丙申生亥，害亥
比亥癸巳亥克，冲亥

The Earthly Branches Chapter

🌊 In-Depth Explanation of the Earthly Branches

Zi (子)

Overall Interpretation
Zi Water 🌊 belongs to Yin, representing the North, and corresponds to the eleventh lunar month (including the Great Snow ❄️ to Minor Cold solar terms). It contains the pure Qi of Gui Water.

• Generating and Restraining Relationships: It generates and supports Jia and Yi Wood (e.g., trees nourished by water); it is generated by Geng and Xin Metal (Metal generates Water); it restrains Bing and Ding Fire (Water restrains Fire); it is restrained by Wu and Ji Earth (Earth restrains Water).
• Special Relationships: It combines with Chou Earth; clashes with Mao Wood; conflicts with Wu Fire; harms with Wei Earth; forms a Water Triad 🌊 with Shen and Chen; gathers Northern Water energy with Hai and Chou.

🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Concept 💡
Zi Water symbolizes the cold and凝之力 of winter, representing secrecy, flow, and wisdom. It is a stage of latent potential and impending emergence.

Modern Interpretation 🌟

• Individuals with strong Zi Water traits often possess introverted wisdom and are suited for research or strategic work but should be mindful of emotional sensitivity.
• The Zi-Wu conflict highlights the need for balance between water and fire (e.g., work and rest), while the Zi-Wei harm warns of conflicts between water and earth (e.g., reality vs. ideals).

Practical Value ⚡

• Those with abundant Zi Water in their Bazi are suited for industries like water management, data, or保密 work; if weak, they should strengthen Metal and Water (e.g., wear metal accessories, reside in northern locations).
• During years of Zi-Wu conflict, pay attention to cardiovascular health and emotional management.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔
Water is both soft and strong,隐喻 the way of accumulating strength—storing power in silence and surging forward when the time comes.

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⛰️ Chou (丑)

Overall Interpretation
Chou Earth ⛰️ belongs to Yin,居中 the center, and corresponds to the twelfth lunar month (Minor Cold to立春). It contains Ji Earth, Gui Water, and Xin Metal, embodying complexity.

• Generating and Restraining: It generates Geng and Xin Metal; is generated by Bing and Ding Fire; restrains Ren and Gui Water; is restrained by Jia and Yi Wood.
• Relationships: Combines with Zi; clashes with Xu; conflicts with Wei; harms with Wu; forms a Metal Triad ⚔️ with You and Si; gathers Northern energy with Hai and Zi.

🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Concept 💡
Chou, as a Metal storage and damp earth, symbolizes沉淀, accumulation, and transition, embodying the image of "hidden treasures waiting to be unearthed."

Modern Interpretation 🌟

• Individuals with Chou Earth traits are steady and reliable, suited for finance, storage, or agriculture, but may tend toward stubbornness.
• The Chou-Wei conflict indicates clashes between earth elements (e.g., conservatism vs. change), while the Chou-Wu harm suggests imbalances between fire and earth dryness/dampness.

Practical Value ⚡

• Those with strong Chou Earth in their Bazi are suited for real estate or resource industries; if weak, strengthen Fire and Earth (e.g., wear red clothing, reside in southern locations).
• During years of Chou-Wei conflict, pay attention to digestive health and financial planning.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔
Earth silently容纳 all things, illustrating包容 and accumulation—true strength comes from默默积累 and timely transformation.

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🌳 Yin (寅)

Overall Interpretation
Yin Wood 🌳 belongs to Yang, representing the East and the first lunar month (立春 to惊蛰). It contains Jia Wood, Bing Fire, and Wu Earth, embodying growth energy.

• Generating and Restraining: It generates Bing and Ding Fire; is generated by Ren and Gui Water; restrains Wu and Ji Earth; is restrained by Geng and Xin Metal.
• Relationships: Combines with Hai; clashes with Si; conflicts with Shen; harms with Si; forms a Fire Triad 🔥 with Wu and Xu; gathers Eastern energy with Mao and Chen.

🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Concept 💡
Yin, as spring wood, symbolizes new beginnings, action, and expansion—the starting point of万物苏醒.

Modern Interpretation 🌟

• Individuals with Yin Wood traits are proactive and pioneering, suited for management, entrepreneurship, or technology, but should guard against impulsive decisions.
• The Yin-Shen conflict highlights metal-wood clashes (e.g., innovation vs. tradition), while the Yin-Si clash suggests internal消耗.

Practical Value ⚡

• Those with strong Yin Wood in their Bazi are suited for education, forestry, or technology industries; if weak, strengthen Water and Wood (e.g., wear black/green combinations, reside in eastern locations).
• During years of Yin-Shen conflict, pay attention to liver/gallbladder health and traffic safety.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔
Wood grows upward despite resistance, illustrating that growth requires breaking through obstacles—flexibility with integrity makes great timber.

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🌱 Mao (卯)

Overall Interpretation
Mao Wood 🌱 belongs to Yin, corresponding to the second lunar month (惊蛰 to清明). It contains pure Yi Wood energy, like flexible flowers and grass.

• Generating and Restraining: It generates Bing and Ding Fire; is generated by Ren and Gui Water; restrains Wu and Ji Earth; is restrained by Geng and Xin Metal.
• Relationships: Combines with Xu; clashes with Zi; conflicts with You; harms with Chen; forms a Wood Triad 🌳 with Hai and Wei; gathers Eastern energy with Yin and Chen.

🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Concept 💡
Mao symbolizes softness and adaptability, representing art, communication, and meticulous observation.

Modern Interpretation 🌟

• Individuals with Mao Wood traits excel in coordination and communication, suited for arts, consulting, or healthcare, but should avoid over-compromise.
• The Mao-You conflict highlights metal-wood tensions (e.g., principles vs. flexibility), while the Mao-Chen harm suggests internal-external coordination issues.

Practical Value ⚡

• Those with strong Mao Wood in their Bazi are suited for design, public relations, or gardening; if weak, strengthen Water and Wood (e.g., spend time with plants, reside in eastern locations).
• During years of Mao-You conflict, pay attention to nervous system health and contract disputes.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔
Soft wood can break hard earth—the wisdom of softness overcoming hardness lies in persistent渗透 rather than forceful突破.

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(Due to length constraints, the remaining Earthly Branches are presented concisely following the same logic.)

⛰️ Chen (辰)

Overall Interpretation
Chen Earth ⛰️ belongs to Yang,居中 the center, corresponding to the third lunar month (清明 to立夏). It contains Wu Earth, Yi Wood, and Gui Water, serving as a water reservoir with residual wood energy.

• Relationships: Combines with You; self-clashes; conflicts with Xu; harms with Mao; forms a Water Triad 🌊 with Shen and Zi; gathers Eastern energy with Yin and Mao.
  Modern Interpretation: Those with strong Chen Earth excel in resource integration but should avoid overthinking without action; Chen-Xu conflict indicates change and competition.

🔥 Si (巳)

Overall Interpretation
Si Fire 🔥 belongs to Yang, representing the South and the fourth lunar month (立夏 to芒种). It contains Bing Fire, Wu Earth, and Geng Metal, embodying upward flame and transformative power.

• Relationships: Combines with Shen; clashes with Yin and Shen; conflicts with Hai; harms with Yin; forms a Metal Triad ⚔️ with You and Chou; gathers Southern energy with Wu and Wei.
  Modern Interpretation: Those with Si Fire traits are sharp and adaptable, suited for research or marketing; Si-Hai conflict highlights water-fire balance.

🔥 Wu (午)

Overall Interpretation
Wu Fire 🔥 belongs to Yin, corresponding to the fifth lunar month (芒种 to小暑). It contains Ding Fire and Ji Earth, like candlelight.

• Relationships: Combines with Wei; self-clashes; conflicts with Zi; harms with Chou; forms a Fire Triad 🔥 with Yin and Xu; gathers Southern energy with Si and Wei.
  Modern Interpretation: Those with strong Wu Fire are passionate, suited for culture or energy industries; Zi-Wu conflict requires guarding against emotional extremes.

⛰️ Wei (未)

Overall Interpretation
Wei Earth ⛰️ belongs to Yin,居中 the center, corresponding to the sixth lunar month (小暑 to立秋). It contains Ji Earth, Ding Fire, and Yi Wood, serving as a wood reservoir with residual fire energy.

• Relationships: Combines with Wu; clashes with Xu; conflicts with Chou; harms with Zi; forms a Wood Triad 🌳 with Hai and Mao; gathers Southern energy with Si and Wu.
  Modern Interpretation: Those with Wei Earth traits are pragmatic and conservative, suited for agriculture or food industries; Chou-Wei conflict indicates value clashes.

⚔️ Shen (申)

Overall Interpretation
Shen Metal ⚔️ belongs to Yang, representing the West and the seventh lunar month (立秋 to白露). It contains Geng Metal, Ren Water, and Wu Earth, embodying sharpness and flow.

• Relationships: Combines with Si; clashes with Si; conflicts with Yin; harms with Hai; forms a Water Triad 🌊 with Zi and Chen; gathers Western energy with You and Xu.
  Modern Interpretation: Those with strong Shen Metal are decisive and sharp, suited for law or engineering; Yin-Shen conflict requires attention to sudden changes.

⚔️ You (酉)

Overall Interpretation
You Metal ⚔️ belongs to Yin, corresponding to the eighth lunar month (白露 to寒露). It contains pure Xin Metal energy, like the essence of pearls and jade.

• Relationships: Combines with Chen; self-clashes; conflicts with Mao; harms with Xu; forms a Metal Triad ⚔️ with Si and Chou; gathers Western energy with Shen and Xu.
  Modern Interpretation: Those with You Metal traits pursue perfection, suited for arts or precision technology; Mao-You conflict requires balancing details and the big picture.

⛰️ Xu (戌)

Overall Interpretation
Xu Earth ⛰️ belongs to Yang,居中 the center, corresponding to the ninth lunar month (寒露 to立冬). It contains Wu Earth, Xin Metal, and Ding Fire, serving as a fire reservoir with residual metal energy.

• Relationships: Combines with Mao; clashes with Chou and Wei; conflicts with Chen; harms with You; forms a Fire Triad 🔥 with Yin and Wu; gathers Western energy with Shen and You.
  Modern Interpretation: Those with strong Xu Earth are loyal and steady, suited for military or security industries; Chen-Xu conflict indicates environmental changes and adaptation.

🌊 Hai (亥)

Overall Interpretation
Hai Water 🌊 belongs to Yang, representing the North and the tenth lunar month (立冬 to大雪). It contains Ren Water and Jia Wood, like flowing rivers nurturing wood energy.

• Relationships: Combines with Yin; self-clashes; conflicts with Si; harms with Shen; forms a Wood Triad 🌳 with Mao and Wei; gathers Northern energy with Zi and Chou.
  Modern Interpretation: Those with Hai Water traits are包容 and sensitive, suited for public welfare or creative fields; Si-Hai conflict requires balancing ideals and reality.

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📚 Related Knowledge

Key Concepts

• Earthly Branch Hidden Stems: The hidden heavenly stem energies within each branch determine its complexity.
• Monthly Solar Terms: The correspondence between branches, months, and solar terms reflects natural energy rhythms.
• Triads and Square Combinations: Energy convergence patterns reveal spatiotemporal synergy.

Further Reading

• The Meaning of the Five Elements: Deep interactions of Earthly Branches.
• Comprehensive Compendium of the Three Fates, Volume 3: Practical applications of Earthly Branches.

Modern Research

• Correlations between Earthly Branches and seasonal biorhythms (e.g., Yin month and spring plant hormone changes).
• Analogies of combination, conflict, clash, and harm in interpersonal relationship models.

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Note: The above interpretations blend traditional wisdom with modern context, emphasizing logic and application, discarding superstitious elements, and encouraging practical verification and personalized adjustment. 🌱