In Eastern culture, particularly in astrology and Feng Shui, the system of Celestial Stems and Earthly Branches plays a vital role in shaping personality, destiny, and human relationships. Understanding the Compatibility, Conflict, Punishment, and Harm of Celestial Stems and Earthly Branches enables us to apply this knowledge effectively in daily life.
=>> Note: This article was directly translated by Grok 3 from the Vietnamese article by BTA Feng Shui.
Compatibility and Conflict of Earthly Branches
The Four Trines
Trines are combinations of three Earthly Branches that share a harmonious, supportive relationship, promoting balance and prosperity. The four Trines include:
- Monkey – Rat – Dragon (Thân – Tý – Thìn): This group belongs to the Water element, symbolizing intelligence, adaptability, and creativity.
- Tiger – Horse – Dog (Dần – Ngọ – Tuất): Belonging to the Fire element, this trio represents passion, strength, and determination.
- Pig – Cat – Goat (Hợi – Mão – Mùi): Linked to the Wood element, they signify gentleness, patience, and refinement.
- Snake – Rooster – Ox (Tỵ – Dậu – Sửu): Associated with the Metal element, this group embodies resilience and decisiveness.
The Three Sets of Four Clashes
Four Clashes refer to groups of four Earthly Branches in conflict, often leading to tension and disputes. The three sets of Four Clashes are:
- Tiger – Monkey – Snake – Pig (Dần – Thân – Tỵ – Hợi): This group experiences clashes in personality and outlook, often resulting in misunderstandings and arguments.
- Dragon – Dog – Ox – Goat (Thìn – Tuất – Sửu – Mùi): Differences in goals and approaches make harmony challenging for this set.
- Rat – Horse – Cat – Rooster (Tý – Ngọ – Mão – Dậu): Conflicts in thinking and behavior frequently lead to disputes.
The Six Pairs of Dual Compatibility
Dual Compatibility involves pairs of Earthly Branches that mutually support and complement each other, fostering balance and growth. The six pairs are:
- Rat – Ox (Tý – Sửu): Yang Water – Yin Earth. The Rat’s adaptability pairs with the Ox’s stability for a balanced union.
- Pig – Tiger (Hợi – Dần): Yin Water – Yang Wood. The Pig’s gentleness complements the Tiger’s strength and decisiveness.
- Dragon – Rooster (Thìn – Dậu): Yang Earth – Yin Metal. The Dragon’s authority harmonizes with the Rooster’s refinement.
- Snake – Monkey (Tỵ – Thân): Yin Fire – Yang Metal. The Snake’s passion combined with the Monkey’s intelligence drives success.
- Horse – Goat (Ngọ – Mùi): Yang Fire – Yin Earth. The Horse’s enthusiasm and the Goat’s stability foster sustainable growth.
- Cat – Dog (Mão – Tuất): Yin Wood – Yang Earth. The Cat’s subtlety and the Dog’s loyalty create a strong bond.
The Six Pairs of Mutual Harm
Mutual Harm describes relationships between two Earthly Branches that cause detriment or disadvantage to each other. The six pairs are:
- Rat – Goat (Tý – Mùi): Differences in perspectives and lifestyles lead to friction.
- Ox – Horse (Sửu – Ngọ): Clashes in personality and life approaches create tension.
- Tiger – Snake (Dần – Tỵ): Opposing thoughts and actions result in conflict.
- Dragon – Cat (Thìn – Mão): Divergent goals and values hinder harmony.
- Monkey – Pig (Thân – Hợi): Disagreements in viewpoints and problem-solving spark disputes.
- Dog – Rooster (Tuất – Dậu): Differing personalities and priorities cause discord.
Pairs of Earthly Branches with Punishment
Punishment refers to relationships between Earthly Branches that inflict pain or suffering on each other. These include:
- Disrespectful Punishment: Rat – Cat (Tý – Mão). Mutual disrespect and misunderstandings prevail.
- Privilege Punishment: Ox – Goat – Dog (Sửu – Mùi – Tuất). Conflicts over rights and responsibilities arise.
- Ingratitude Punishment: Tiger – Snake – Monkey (Dần – Tỵ – Thân). Betrayal and disloyalty mark this trio.
- Self-Punishment Pairs: Dragon – Dragon (Thìn – Thìn), Horse – Horse (Ngọ – Ngọ), Pig – Pig (Hợi – Hợi), Rooster – Rooster (Dậu – Dậu). Internal conflict and self-contradiction define these pairs.
Compatibility and Punishment of Celestial Stems
Celestial Stems and the Five Elements with Yin-Yang
| Celestial Stem | Five Elements | Yin/Yang | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jia (Giáp) | Wood | Yang | Tall trees, growing vigorously, symbolizing vitality and development. |
| Yi (Ất) | Wood | Yin | Small, pliable plants, representing flexibility and adaptability. |
| Bing (Bính) | Fire | Yang | Blazing flames, powerful and radiant. |
| Ding (Đinh) | Fire | Yin | Smoldering embers, symbolizing persistence and endurance. |
| Wu (Mậu) | Earth | Yang | Dry, mountainous terrain, sturdy, offering protection and support. |
| Ji (Kỷ) | Earth | Yin | Moist farmland, symbolizing nurturing and fertility. |
| Geng (Canh) | Metal | Yang | Raw metal, tough and enduring, representing perseverance. |
| Xin (Tân) | Metal | Yin | Refined metal, sharp and precise. |
| Ren (Nhâm) | Water | Yang | Vast waters (oceans, rivers), powerful and boundless. |
| Gui (Quý) | Water | Yin | Rain or small streams, flowing gently and flexibly. |
Five Compatible Pairs of Celestial Stems
Celestial Stems are compatible when their Yin-Yang balance and Five Elements complement each other, fostering growth despite potential elemental conflicts. The five compatible pairs are:
- Yi (Ất) and Geng (Canh) (Yin Wood – Yang Metal): Creates stability and progress.
- Bing (Bính) and Xin (Tân) (Yang Fire – Yin Metal): Sparks creativity and innovation.
- Ding (Đinh) and Ren (Nhâm) (Yin Fire – Yang Water): Brings adaptability and resilience.
- Wu (Mậu) and Gui (Quý) (Yang Earth – Yin Water): Ensures stability and sustainability.
- Ji (Kỷ) and Jia (Giáp) (Yin Earth – Yang Wood): Promotes growth and prosperity.
Despite elemental conflicts within the Five Elements, these pairs achieve mutual support and sustainable development through harmonious Yin-Yang alignment.
Punishment Among Celestial Stems
Punishment among Celestial Stems arises from conflicts between two stems, creating obstacles in career, finances, relationships, or health. Each pair below has a unique punishment dynamic:
- Geng (Canh) punishes Jia (Giáp): Metal overcomes Wood, leading to clashes between discipline and creativity.
- Jia (Giáp) punishes Wu (Mậu): Wood overcomes Earth, causing difficulties in finance and career.
- Wu (Mậu) punishes Ren (Nhâm): Earth is swept away by Water, destabilizing work control.
- Ren (Nhâm) punishes Bing (Bính): Water and Fire clash, disrupting the balance between reason and emotion.
- Bing (Bính) punishes Geng (Canh): Fire overcomes Metal, sparking tension between passion and rules.
- Gui (Quý) punishes Ding (Đinh): Water restrains Fire, leading to emotional and health instability.
- Ding (Đinh) punishes Xin (Tân): Fire is subdued by Metal, resulting in indecision and external influence.
- Xin (Tân) punishes Yi (Ất): Metal overcomes Wood, hindering natural growth.
- Yi (Ất) punishes Ji (Kỷ): Wood overcomes Earth, destabilizing key decisions.
- Ji (Kỷ) punishes Gui (Quý): Earth overcomes Water, impeding progress.
This covers the Compatibility, Conflict, Punishment, and Harm of Celestial Stems and Earthly Branches. We hope this information provides you with a clearer, more objective perspective on Celestial Stems and Earthly Branches.
