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The 10 Heavenly Stems
In the Chinese calendar, the Year, Month, Day and Hour each is
composed of a Heavenly Stem and an Earthly Branch.
The Heavenly Stems symbolize the influence of the Year, Month,
Day or Hour from Heaven.
|
Stem
|
Yin/Yang
|
Element
|
Season
|
Descriptions
|
Direction |
|
1Jia
|
yang
|
wood
|
spring
|
hard wood, tree trunk
|
east |
|
2Yi
|
yin
|
wood
|
spring
|
soft plant, like grass
|
east |
|
3Bing
|
yang
|
fire
|
summer
|
large fire, e.g. the sun
|
south |
|
4Ding
|
yin
|
fire
|
summer
|
small fire, e.g. candle flame
|
south |
|
5Wu
|
yang
|
earth
|
all seasons
|
hard earth, e.g. stone
|
centre |
|
6Ji
|
yin
|
earth
|
all seasons
|
soft earth, e.g. soil
|
centre |
|
7Geng
|
yang
|
metal
|
autumn
|
large weapon, e.g. sword
|
west |
|
8Xin
|
yin
|
metal
|
autumn
|
small instrument, e.g. scissors
|
west |
|
9Ren
|
yang
|
water
|
winter
|
large body of water, e.g. a lake
|
north |
|
10Gui
|
yin
|
water
|
wimter
|
small quantity of water, a small stream
|
north |
The table above lists the 10 Heavenly stems and their
properties.
I. Combinations
Heavenly Stems can combine together. This interaction creates
a new element:
- 1Jia + 6Ji = Earth
- 2Yi + 7Geng = Metal
- 3Bing + 8Xin = Earth
- 4Ding + 9Ren = Earth
- 5Wu + 10Gui = Earth
II. Clashes
Heavenly stems clash. When clashes occur, it normally
signifies an unconfortable or unpleasant situation:
Clashes due to element:
- 3Bing (yang fire) x 7Geng (yang
metal)
- 4Ding (yin fire) x 8Xin (yin
metal)
- 7Geng (yang metal) x 1Jia (yang
wood)
- 8Xin (yin metal) x 2Yi (yin
wood)
- 1Jia (yang wood) x 5Wu (yang
earth)
- 2Yi (yin wood) x 6Ji (yin
earth)
- 5Wu (yang earth) x 9Ren (yang
water)
- 6Ji (yin earth) x 10Gui (yin
water)
- 9Ren (yang water) x 3Bing (yang
fire)
- 10Gui (yin water) x 4Ding (yin
fire)
Clashes due to direction:
- 7Geng (East) x 1Jia (West)
- 8Xin (West) x 2Yi (East)
- 9Ren (North) x 3Bing (South)
- 10Gui (South) x 4Ding (North)
Tao Basics
¦ The Concept of "Qi"
¦ Yin And Yang
¦ The Five Elements
¦ The Bagua
¦ The Hexagrams
¦ The 12 Earthly Branches (Chinese Zodiac Signs)
¦ The 10 Heavenly Stems
¦ The Chinese Astrological Calendar ¦
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