Introduction to the Earthly Branches
地支 (Di Zhi) translates to “Earthly Branches.” Where the Heavenly Stems carry celestial, heavenly energy, the Earthly Branches ground that energy in the physical world. There are twelve branches, forming the earthly half of the sexagenary cycle.
Each Earthly Branch is associated with a zodiac animal, a primary element, a season, and a specific two-hour window of the day. This rich web of correspondences makes the branches a powerful tool for understanding how cosmic patterns manifest in everyday life — from your personality traits to the best times for action.
In your Bazi chart, each pillar has an Earthly Branch on the bottom. The branches interact with each other through combinations, clashes, and punishments, creating layers of meaning that a skilled reader can interpret.
The Twelve Earthly Branches
Below are all twelve branches with their zodiac animals, elements, seasons, and the two-hour periods they govern. Notice how the branches follow the natural cycle of the seasons and the daily rhythm of energy.
The Zodiac Animals
The twelve zodiac animals are perhaps the most widely known aspect of Chinese astrology. While popular culture focuses on the year animal, in Bazi practice each of your four pillars has a branch (and therefore an animal), giving you a richer portrait than your year sign alone.
Rat 子
Resourceful, quick-witted, and charming. Rats are intelligent survivors who thrive through adaptability and sharp instincts.
Ox 丑
Diligent, dependable, and strong. Oxen are the steadfast workers who achieve through patience and unwavering determination.
Tiger 寅
Brave, competitive, and confident. Tigers are natural leaders who inspire others with their courage and passion.
Rabbit 卯
Elegant, gentle, and compassionate. Rabbits bring grace and diplomacy to every situation, preferring harmony over conflict.
Dragon 辰
Ambitious, fearless, and energetic. Dragons are visionaries with a magnetic presence and a drive for greatness.
Snake 巳
Wise, intuitive, and mysterious. Snakes are deep thinkers who observe carefully before striking with precision.
Horse 午
Energetic, free-spirited, and warm. Horses crave adventure and freedom, bringing enthusiasm wherever they go.
Goat 未
Creative, gentle, and empathetic. Goats have a rich inner world and a gift for artistic expression and nurturing.
Monkey 申
Clever, innovative, and playful. Monkeys are problem-solvers with quick minds and infectious humor.
Rooster 酉
Observant, hardworking, and honest. Roosters are perfectionists who take pride in their appearance and achievements.
Dog 戌
Loyal, honest, and protective. Dogs are the faithful guardians who value justice and stand by those they love.
Pig 亥
Generous, warm-hearted, and sincere. Pigs enjoy the good things in life and share their abundance freely.
Branch Interactions
The Earthly Branches do not exist in isolation. When two or more branches appear in the same chart, they interact in ways that can strengthen, weaken, or transform the energies at play. Understanding these interactions is key to advanced Bazi interpretation.
Three Harmonies 三合 (san he)
The most powerful combinations. Three specific branches unite to produce a dominant elemental force. When all three are present, the resulting element becomes extremely strong in the chart.
Monkey - Rat - Dragon
= Water Frame
Tiger - Horse - Dog
= Fire Frame
Snake - Rooster - Ox
= Metal Frame
Pig - Rabbit - Goat
= Wood Frame
Six Clashes 相冲 (xiang chong)
Two branches that sit directly opposite each other on the cycle create tension and disruption. Clashes can bring change, conflict, or the breaking down of existing structures.
Rat vs Horse
Ox vs Goat
Tiger vs Monkey
Rabbit vs Rooster
Dragon vs Dog
Snake vs Pig
Punishments 相刑 (xiang xing)
Punishments are subtler than clashes but can be deeply impactful. They represent internal conflicts, karmic lessons, or patterns that require conscious awareness to navigate. The main punishment groups are: the “Three Punishments of Ingratitude” (Rat, Rabbit, Horse) and the “Bullying Punishment” (Tiger, Snake, Monkey). Self-punishments occur when the same branch appears twice (Dragon-Dragon, Horse-Horse, Rooster-Rooster, Pig-Pig).
Branches and Time
Long before the modern 24-hour clock, the Chinese divided each day into twelve two-hour periods called 時辰 (shichen), each governed by one Earthly Branch. Your birth hour determines the branch of your Hour Pillar — the fourth and most intimate pillar of your chart.
The cycle begins at 23:00 (11 PM) with the Rat hour, when midnight yang energy first stirs, and flows through all twelve branches until 21:00-23:00 (the Pig hour), when the day's energy completes its cycle. This is why knowing your exact birth time is crucial for an accurate Bazi reading.
| Branch | Animal | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 子Zǐ | 🐀Rat | 23:00-01:00 |
| 丑Chǒu | 🐂Ox | 01:00-03:00 |
| 寅Yín | 🐅Tiger | 03:00-05:00 |
| 卯Mǎo | 🐇Rabbit | 05:00-07:00 |
| 辰Chén | 🐉Dragon | 07:00-09:00 |
| 巳Sì | 🐍Snake | 09:00-11:00 |
| 午Wǔ | 🐴Horse | 11:00-13:00 |
| 未Wèi | 🐐Goat | 13:00-15:00 |
| 申Shēn | 🐒Monkey | 15:00-17:00 |
| 酉Yǒu | 🐓Rooster | 17:00-19:00 |
| 戌Xū | 🐕Dog | 19:00-21:00 |
| 亥Hài | 🐖Pig | 21:00-23:00 |
Important: If you were born close to a boundary (for example, at 3:00 AM on the dot), a skilled Bazi practitioner may consider both the adjacent hours and look at which one produces a chart that better matches your life experiences. Some modern practitioners also adjust for daylight saving time and the difference between clock time and true solar time at your birth location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue Learning
Heavenly Stems
Learn about the ten Heavenly Stems that pair with the Earthly Branches to form the complete Bazi system.
Day Master
Your Day Master is the core of your identity in Bazi. Discover what each of the ten types reveals about you.
What is Bazi?
Get the complete overview of the Four Pillars of Destiny and how they shape your life path.
Discover Your Bazi Chart
Ready to explore your own Four Pillars of Destiny? Get a personalized AI-powered Bazi reading based on your birth data.
Start My Reading