What is Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches 天干地支?

What is Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches 天干地支?

Paul Peng
The ten Heavenly Stems are: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui.

The twelve Earthly Branches are: Zi (Rat), Chou (Ox), Yin (Tiger), Mao (Rabbit), Chen (Dragon), Si (Snake), Wu (Horse), Wei (Sheep), Shen (Monkey), You (Rooster), Xu (Dog), Hai (Pig).

The ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches are cyclically combined to form the Sixty Jiazi, which repeats endlessly. This method was used for chronology in old China, hence the saying that "sixty years make a Jiazi".

Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

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