Earthly Branches Dictionary
The branches are the twelve lower characters of the four pillars, and they also mark the zodiac animal, the month and the hour. Each one holds stems inside it (hidden stems), which are read together when setting the ten gods.
The earthly branches (jiji, 地支) are twelve characters: Ja (子)·Chuk (丑)·In (寅)·Myo (卯)·Jin (辰)·Sa (巳)·O (午)·Mi (未)·Sin (申)·Yu (酉)·Sul (戌)·Hae (亥). They form the lower characters of saju's four pillars and correspond to the twelve zodiac signs.
Earthly branches represent the energy of earth, marking seasons, months, and hours. Each contains heavenly stems (hidden stems), which are also used to identify Ten Gods relationships.
How it is set
| Earthly branches | Primary stem | Other hidden stems |
|---|---|---|
| Ja (子) | Gye (癸) | Im (壬) |
| Chuk (丑) | Gi (己) | Gye (癸) · Sin (辛) |
| In (寅) | Gap (甲) | Byeong (丙) · Mu (戊) |
| Myo (卯) | Eul (乙) | Gap (甲) |
| Jin (辰) | Mu (戊) | Eul (乙) · Gye (癸) |
| Sa (巳) | Byeong (丙) | Gyeong (庚) · Mu (戊) |
| O (午) | Jeong (丁) | Gi (己) · Byeong (丙) |
| Mi (未) | Gi (己) | Jeong (丁) · Eul (乙) |
| Sin (申) | Gyeong (庚) | Im (壬) · Mu (戊) |
| Yu (酉) | Sin (辛) | Gyeong (庚) |
| Sul (戌) | Mu (戊) | Sin (辛) · Jeong (丁) |
| Hae (亥) | Im (壬) | Gap (甲) · Mu (戊) |
Ten God classifications and Day Master strength assessments use the main hidden stem. The table follows the monthly energy divisions (residual · middle · main), with the main stem listed first.
Traits
Among the twelve branches, In·Myo are Wood, Sa·O are Fire, Sin·Yu are Metal, Hae·Ja are Water, and Jin·Sul·Chuk·Mi are Earth. There are four Earth branches because the final month of each season acts as a bridge to the next.
Earthly branches mark months and hours. The In month, beginning at the Start of Spring solar term around February, is the year's first month, and the Ja hour runs from 11 p.m.~1 a.m. Your month branch therefore indicates your birth season, while your hour branch indicates your birth time.
Earthly branches have more varied relationships than heavenly stems. These include Six Harmony (Ja-Chuk·In-Hae·Myo-Sul·Jin-Yu·Sa-Sin·O-Mi), Three Harmony (Sin-Ja-Jin Water group·Hae-Myo-Mi Wood group·In-O-Sul Fire group·Sa-Yu-Chuk Metal group), the six Clashes (Ja-O·Chuk-Mi·In-Sin·Myo-Yu·Jin-Sul·Sa-Hae), and Punishment·Destruction·Harm·Resentment. Combinations suggest binding together, while clashes suggest movement through collision.
Seowoon's engine uses a hidden-stem table organized by the traditional divisions of monthly energy (wollyul bunya: residual·middle·main energy). It uses the main energy's stem to determine Ten Gods relationships and Day Master strength. The table below shows those values.
A common misconception
People often say, “Matching zodiac signs mean good compatibility”, but your zodiac sign is just your year branch, one of the eight characters in your chart. Compatibility readings give more weight to combinations·clashes between your day branches, the partner seats, and the relationship between your Day Masters.
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Earthly Branches12
- Ja (子)Ja (子), the first of the twelve earth branches, corresponds to the Rat, the midwinter month beginning at Major Snow, the hours of 23:00–1:00, and Water (水) energy.
- Chuk (丑)Chuk (丑), the second of the twelve earth branches, corresponds to the Ox, the late-winter month beginning at Minor Cold, the hours of 1:00–3:00, and the energy of frozen winter Earth (土).
- In (寅)In (寅) is the third of the twelve earthly branches and corresponds to the Tiger. It represents the first month of the saju year, beginning at the Start of Spring solar term, the hours of 3 a.m.~5 a.m., and the Wood (木) energy that ushers in spring.
- Myo (卯)Myo (卯) is the fourth of the twelve earthly branches and corresponds to the Rabbit. It represents midspring beginning at the Awakening of Insects solar term, the sunrise hours of 5 a.m.~7 a.m., and Wood (木) energy in its purest form.
- Jin (辰)Jin (辰), the fifth of the twelve Earthly Branches, corresponds to the Dragon. It represents late spring beginning at Clear and Bright, the hours of 7–9 a.m., and the energy of moist spring Earth (土).
- Sa (巳)Sa (巳), the sixth of the twelve Earthly Branches, corresponds to the Snake. It represents early summer beginning at the Start of Summer, the hours of 9–11 a.m., and Fire (火) energy beginning to blaze.
- O (午)O (午), the seventh of the twelve Earthly Branches, represents the Horse, midsummer beginning at Mangjong, the hours 11:00~13:00, and Fire (火) energy at its strongest.
- Mi (未)Mi (未), the eighth of the twelve Earthly Branches, represents the Sheep, late summer beginning at Soseo, the hours 13:00~15:00, and the energy of Earth (土) heated by the sun.
- Sin (申)Sin (申), the ninth of the twelve Earthly Branches, represents the Monkey, early fall beginning at Ipchu, the hours 15:00~17:00, and Metal (金) energy growing firm as it matures.
- Yu (酉)Yu (酉) is the tenth of the twelve earthly branches and corresponds to the Rooster. It represents mid-autumn beginning at White Dew, sunset hours from 17:00~19:00, and the purest Metal (金) energy.
- Sul (戌)Sul (戌) is the eleventh of the twelve earthly branches and corresponds to the Dog. It represents late autumn beginning at Cold Dew, the evening hours of 19:00~21:00, and the energy of dry Earth (土) holding embers.
- Hae (亥)Hae (亥), the last of the twelve earthly branches, represents the Pig, early winter beginning at the Start of Winter solar term, the hours 21:00~23:00, and the embracing energy of Water (水).
Frequently asked questions
When does the zodiac sign change?
In saju, the year begins at the Start of Spring (Ipchun), around February 4 on the solar calendar, rather than January 1 or Lunar New Year. If you were born before then, your zodiac sign belongs to the previous year.
What are hidden stems?
They are heavenly stems tucked inside each earthly branch. For example, In (寅) contains Gap·Byeong·Mu, with Gap Wood as its main, defining energy.
Are clashes between earthly branches bad?
A clash brings movement through friction, so it is read as change·relocation·conflict. It can also break through a blockage. Its meaning depends on where it appears and what energy the chart needs.