The Twelve Earthly Branches
DI ZHI 地支 · TERRESTRIAL FORCES OF DESTINY
KEY TAKEAWAYS / TL;DR
- ◈The Twelve Earthly Branches (Di Zhi) are the terrestrial counterpart to the Heavenly Stems, forming the structural foundation of every Bazi chart.
- ◈Each branch corresponds to a two-hour period (Shichen), a Chinese zodiac animal, a primary element, and contains "hidden stems" (藏干) that reveal deeper layers of energy.
- ◈The Six Harmonies (六合), Three Harmonies (三合), Clashes (冲), and Harms (害) between branches are the primary mechanism through which Bazi charts reveal relationship dynamics and life events.
The Twelve Earthly Branches (地支 Dì Zhī) are the structural bedrock of Chinese chronometry and metaphysics. First systematized in the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE) alongside the Heavenly Stems, they were originally used to mark the twelve double-hours (时辰 shíchen) of the day and the twelve months of the year. Their pairing with the Ten Heavenly Stems creates the Sexagenary Cycle (六十甲子) — a 60-unit calendar system that has been in continuous use for over 3,000 years.
Unlike the Heavenly Stems, which represent surface-level visible energy, the Earthly Branches function as deep-structure containers. Each branch conceals one to three "hidden stems" (藏干 cáng gān) within it — sub-elements that add layers of complexity to chart interpretation. The interplay between branches through their harmony, clash, harm, and punishment relationships is the primary analytical engine of classical Bazi.
子 Zǐ — Rat 🐀
Yang Water · 23:00–01:00
Midnight — the hour when the seed of Yang first stirs in absolute darkness.
Nature & Personality
Zi is the genesis point of the cycle. As Yang Water, it represents the initial spark of intelligence hidden within stillness. In the human body, it governs the kidneys and reproductive system. Zi people are resourceful, sharp-minded, and instinctively strategic — they sense opportunity before it becomes visible to others.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 子丑合 (Zi-Chou → Earth). Three Harmony: 申子辰 (Shen-Zi-Chen → Water). Clash: 子午冲 (Zi-Wu). Harm: 子未害 (Zi-Wei).
丑 Chǒu — Ox 🐂
Yin Earth · 01:00–03:00
The frozen earth before dawn — cold, dense, storing energy for the coming spring.
Nature & Personality
Chou is winter's vault. As Yin Earth, it contains hidden water and metal (its hidden stems are Ji, Gui, and Xin). It represents accumulation, patience, and the slow maturation of resources. Chou people are diligent, methodical, and quietly powerful — they build wealth and influence through persistence rather than flash.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 子丑合 (Zi-Chou → Earth). Three Harmony: 巳酉丑 (Si-You-Chou → Metal). Clash: 丑未冲 (Chou-Wei). Harm: 丑午害 (Chou-Wu).
寅 Yín — Tiger 🐅
Yang Wood · 03:00–05:00
The first light breaking through the forest canopy — the explosive awakening of spring.
Nature & Personality
Yin marks the beginning of spring and the Wood season. Its hidden stems are Jia, Bing, and Wu — containing the raw initiative of Yang Wood, the warmth of Yang Fire, and the grounding of Yang Earth. Yin people are bold, ambitious leaders with enormous starting energy. They initiate projects with inspiring force but may struggle with follow-through.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 寅亥合 (Yin-Hai → Wood). Three Harmony: 寅午戌 (Yin-Wu-Xu → Fire). Clash: 寅申冲 (Yin-Shen). Harm: 寅巳害 (Yin-Si).
卯 Mǎo — Rabbit 🐇
Yin Wood · 05:00–07:00
A lush bamboo grove at dawn — gentle, flexible, quietly spreading roots everywhere.
Nature & Personality
Mao is pure Yin Wood with only one hidden stem (Yi). It represents spring at its peak — growth, elegance, and social grace. As the "Peach Blossom" star in Bazi, Mao carries strong romantic and artistic energy. Mao people are diplomatic, aesthetically gifted, and socially magnetic, but may avoid confrontation to a fault.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 卯戌合 (Mao-Xu → Fire). Three Harmony: 亥卯未 (Hai-Mao-Wei → Wood). Clash: 卯酉冲 (Mao-You). Harm: 卯辰害 (Mao-Chen).
辰 Chén — Dragon 🐉
Yang Earth · 07:00–09:00
A vast reservoir after spring rains — earth saturated with the energy of transformation.
Nature & Personality
Chen is one of the four "storage" branches (墓库), serving as the Water reservoir. Its hidden stems are Wu, Yi, and Gui — earth containing wood and water. Chen is the most complex branch: it can store, release, or transform energy depending on context. Chen people are visionary, ambitious, and often unpredictable — they contain multitudes.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 辰酉合 (Chen-You → Metal). Three Harmony: 申子辰 (Shen-Zi-Chen → Water). Clash: 辰戌冲 (Chen-Xu). Self-Punishment: 辰辰自刑.
巳 Sì — Snake 🐍
Yin Fire · 09:00–11:00
A coiled serpent basking in the morning sun — still on the surface, calculating within.
Nature & Personality
Si marks the transition into summer. Its hidden stems are Bing, Wu, and Geng — fire containing earth and metal. Si is strategic intelligence personified. As another "Traveling Horse" (驿马) branch, it represents movement, transformation, and the shedding of old skins. Si people are perceptive, resourceful, and masters of reinvention.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 巳申合 (Si-Shen → Water). Three Harmony: 巳酉丑 (Si-You-Chou → Metal). Clash: 巳亥冲 (Si-Hai). Harm: 寅巳害 (Yin-Si).
午 Wǔ — Horse 🐴
Yang Fire · 11:00–13:00
High noon — the sun at its zenith, maximum Yang, maximum visibility.
Nature & Personality
Wu is the peak of Yang energy in the cycle. Its hidden stems are Ding and Ji — Yin Fire and Yin Earth hiding within the blaze of Yang Fire. Wu represents fame, passion, and outward brilliance. As a "Peach Blossom" branch, it carries strong charisma. Wu people are energetic, expressive, and freedom-loving — they resist containment of any kind.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 午未合 (Wu-Wei → Fire/Earth). Three Harmony: 寅午戌 (Yin-Wu-Xu → Fire). Clash: 子午冲 (Zi-Wu). Self-Punishment: 午午自刑.
未 Wèi — Goat 🐐
Yin Earth · 13:00–15:00
A sun-baked garden in late summer — dry earth ripening the last fruits before autumn.
Nature & Personality
Wei is the Wood storage branch (墓库). Its hidden stems are Ji, Ding, and Yi — earth containing fire and wood. Wei represents the mature phase of summer, where things are fully developed but beginning their descent. Wei people are nurturing, artistic, and spiritually inclined, with a tendency toward pensiveness and internal conflict between ambition and contentment.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 午未合 (Wu-Wei → Fire/Earth). Three Harmony: 亥卯未 (Hai-Mao-Wei → Wood). Clash: 丑未冲 (Chou-Wei). Harm: 子未害 (Zi-Wei).
申 Shēn — Monkey 🐒
Yang Metal · 15:00–17:00
A freshly forged blade catching the afternoon light — sharp, versatile, ready for action.
Nature & Personality
Shen marks the beginning of autumn and the Metal season. Its hidden stems are Geng, Ren, and Wu — metal channeling water and grounded by earth. As a "Traveling Horse" branch (驿马), Shen represents movement, adaptability, and quick execution. Shen people are clever, versatile, and restless — natural problem-solvers who thrive in dynamic environments.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 巳申合 (Si-Shen → Water). Three Harmony: 申子辰 (Shen-Zi-Chen → Water). Clash: 寅申冲 (Yin-Shen). Self-Punishment: 申申自刑.
酉 Yǒu — Rooster 🐓
Yin Metal · 17:00–19:00
A temple bell at dusk — pure, resonant, cutting through noise to announce the truth.
Nature & Personality
You is pure Yin Metal with only one hidden stem (Xin). It represents autumn at its peak — clarity, precision, and harvest. As a "Peach Blossom" branch, You carries strong aesthetic and romantic energy. You people are meticulous, articulate, and quality-driven. They have excellent taste but can become overly critical of imperfection in themselves and others.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 辰酉合 (Chen-You → Metal). Three Harmony: 巳酉丑 (Si-You-Chou → Metal). Clash: 卯酉冲 (Mao-You). Harm: 酉戌害 (You-Xu).
戌 Xū — Dog 🐕
Yang Earth · 19:00–21:00
A watchtower on the frontier at twilight — guarding the boundary between light and dark.
Nature & Personality
Xu is the Fire storage branch (墓库). Its hidden stems are Wu, Xin, and Ding — earth containing metal and fire. Xu represents loyalty, justice, and the protective instinct. It is the "graveyard" of fire energy, where passion is stored and controlled. Xu people are principled, protective, and fiercely loyal — they guard their inner circle with unyielding devotion.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 卯戌合 (Mao-Xu → Fire). Three Harmony: 寅午戌 (Yin-Wu-Xu → Fire). Clash: 辰戌冲 (Chen-Xu). Harm: 酉戌害 (You-Xu).
亥 Hài — Pig 🐷
Yin Water · 21:00–23:00
A deep well beneath a winter sky — the last reserve of energy before the cycle renews.
Nature & Personality
Hai marks the end of the cycle and the depth of winter. Its hidden stems are Ren and Jia — water nurturing the seed of wood for the next spring. Hai represents wisdom gained through completion, the generosity of having "seen it all." Hai people are compassionate, philosophical, and indulgent — they give freely but must guard against excess.
Key Relationships
Six Harmony: 寅亥合 (Yin-Hai → Wood). Three Harmony: 亥卯未 (Hai-Mao-Wei → Wood). Clash: 巳亥冲 (Si-Hai). Self-Punishment: 亥亥自刑.
Source: Wikipedia — Earthly Branches, §Overview & §History; Yuan Hai Zi Ping 《渊海子平》; Di Tian Sui 《滴天髓》