What are Earthly Branches?
Earthly Branches (Dizhi 地支) or Twelve Branches (Shi'erzhi 十二支) are twelve characters representing the energy of earth. In Bazi (Four Pillars), the lower character of each pillar is an Earthly Branch.
Each branch is connected to an animal (zodiac sign), which forms the familiar 12 Chinese zodiac animals. The branches also represent months, hours, and directions.
The Twelve Branches and Zodiac Animals
Five Elements of the Branches
| Element | Branches |
|---|---|
| Wood (木) | Yin (寅), Mao (卯) |
| Fire (火) | Si (巳), Wu (午) |
| Earth (土) | Chou (丑), Chen (辰), Wei (未), Xu (戌) |
| Metal (金) | Shen (申), You (酉) |
| Water (水) | Hai (亥), Zi (子) |
Branch Combinations (He 合)
When branches meet, special relationships are formed.Combination (He 合) means they unite to create new energy.
Six Combinations (Liu He 六合)
Two branches meet and combine into one.
- Zi + Chou → Earth
- Yin + Hai → Wood
- Mao + Xu → Fire
- Chen + You → Metal
- Si + Shen → Water
- Wu + Wei → Earth or Fire
Three Combinations (San He 三合)
Three branches meet and combine into one element.
- Shen + Zi + Chen → Water Bureau
- Hai + Mao + Wei → Wood Bureau
- Yin + Wu + Xu → Fire Bureau
- Si + You + Chou → Metal Bureau
Branch Clashes (Chong 冲)
Clash (Chong 冲) is a relationship of collision and opposition. Branches on opposite sides clash with each other.
- Zi ↔ Wu (Rat-Horse Clash)
- Chou ↔ Wei (Ox-Goat Clash)
- Yin ↔ Shen (Tiger-Monkey Clash)
- Mao ↔ You (Rabbit-Rooster Clash)
- Chen ↔ Xu (Dragon-Dog Clash)
- Si ↔ Hai (Snake-Pig Clash)
Understanding Clashes
Clashes are not necessarily bad. They can break through blockages or bring change and movement. However, clashes during periods requiring stability can cause instability.
Personality by Zodiac Animal
The branch of your birth year (Year Branch) is your 'zodiac animal'. However, in Bazi, personality is not judged solely by the zodiac animal; the entire chart composition is considered comprehensively.
Commonly known zodiac personality traits are simplified characteristics of the Year Branch. For more accurate analysis, the Month, Day, and Hour Branches must also be considered.