Are you exploring Feng Shui and stumbled upon the term “Earthly Branches“? The Twelve Earthly Branches are a cornerstone concept, playing a vital role in interpreting destiny, choosing home directions, or determining auspicious timings.
In this article, BTA Feng Shui will guide you through what the Earthly Branches are, the significance of the 12 Earthly Branches, their classifications, compatibility and conflict relationships, and practical applications in daily life. Dive in to deepen your understanding of Feng Shui!
Note: This article was directly translated from the original Vietnamese version by BTA Feng Shui using Grok 3.
What Are the Earthly Branches?
The Earthly Branches (地支), also known as “Branches” or the Twelve Earthly Branches (十二地支), are a system of 12 zodiac animals used in Feng Shui, astrology, and East Asian cultures like Vietnam, China, and Japan.
The Earthly Branches combine with the Heavenly Stems (10 stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui) to form a 60-year cycle, used to mark time (years, months, days, hours) and analyze human destiny.
Each Earthly Branch represents a zodiac animal, carrying unique meanings tied to the Five Elements, directions, and seasonal phases. This system originated during China’s Shang Dynasty and is widely used to predict fate, select auspicious dates, or assess compatibility between individuals.
Example: The year 2025 is the “Yi Snake” (Wood Snake), where “Yi” is the Celestial Stem, and “Snake” is the Earthly Branch. The 60-year cycle causes Stem-Branch pairs to repeat, as seen in 1965, also a Wood Snake year.
List of 12 Earthly Branches: Five Elements, Yin-Yang, and Characteristics
The 12 Earthly Branches are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, corresponding to the 12 zodiac animals. Each branch has distinct Yin-Yang and Five Elements characteristics:
| Earthly Branch | Zodiac Animal | Yin / Yang | Five Elements | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 子 (Zi) | Rat | Yang | Water | Adaptable, intelligent |
| 丑 (Chou) | Ox | Yin | Earth | Steadfast, enduring |
| 寅 (Yin) | Tiger | Yang | Wood | Powerful, decisive |
| 卯 (Mao) | Rabbit or Cat | Yin | Wood | Gentle, refined |
| 辰 (Chen) | Dragon | Yang | Earth | Authoritative, creative |
| 巳 (Si) | Snake | Yin | Fire | Wise, cautious |
| 午 (Wu) | Horse | Yang | Fire | Free-spirited, dynamic |
| 未 (Wei) | Goat | Yin | Earth | Kind, artistic |
| 申 (Shen) | Monkey | Yang | Metal | Clever, skillful |
| 酉 (You) | Rooster | Yin | Metal | Confident, precise |
| 戌 (Xu) | Dog | Yang | Earth | Loyal, protective |
| 亥 (Hai) | Pig | Yin | Water | Harmonious, friendly |
Significance of the 12 Earthly Branches in Feng Shui
Each Earthly Branch carries unique symbolism, reflecting the cycle of growth in nature, influenced by the moon and the Five Elements:
- Rat: Symbolizes beginnings, nurturing Yang energy for all things.
- Ox: Preserves and connects to foster development.
- Tiger: Drives transformation, advancing and evolving nature.
- Rabbit: Represents sprouting, with vigorous growth in all things.
- Dragon: Thunder and lightning, sparking transformation.
- Snake: Full maturity, reaching its peak.
- Horse: Fresh vitality, rising powerfully.
- Goat: Yin energy prevails, slowing and weakening nature.
- Monkey: Maturity and readiness.
- Rooster: Full ripeness, with nature at its prime.
- Dog: Completion, with all things fully developed.
- Pig: Storage, nurturing new seeds for the next cycle.
Classification of Earthly Branches in Feng Shui
The Earthly Branches are categorized by various criteria, enabling flexible applications in Feng Shui and astrology:
1. By Five Elements
Each Earthly Branch aligns with one of the Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth):
- Metal: Monkey, Rooster
- Wood: Tiger, Cat
- Water: Rat, Pig
- Fire: Snake, Horse
- Earth: Dragon, Dog, Ox, Goat
2. By Yin-Yang
- Yang Branches: Rat, Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Dog (dynamic, with clear fortune or misfortune).
- Yin Branches: Ox, Cat, Snake, Goat, Rooster, Pig (flexible, with slower outcomes).
3. By Direction
Earthly Branches correspond to compass directions and Bagua trigrams:
- East: Tiger, Cat
- West: Monkey, Rooster
- South: Snake, Horse
- North: Rat, Pig
- Center: Dragon, Dog, Ox, Goat
4. By Time and Seasonal Phases
Each Earthly Branch aligns with a month, seasonal phase, and time of day:
| Earthly Branch | Month | Seasonal Phase | Time | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | 11 | Great Snow – Minor Cold | 11 PM–1 AM | Rats are highly active |
| Ox | 12 | Minor Cold – Start of Spring | 1 AM–3 AM | Oxen chew cud |
| Tiger | 1 | Start of Spring – Insects Awaken | 3 AM–5 AM | Tigers return to dens |
| Cat | 2 | Insects Awaken – Clear and Bright | 5 AM–7 AM | Cats rest |
| Dragon | 3 | Clear and Bright – Start of Summer | 7 AM–9 AM | Active period |
| Snake | 4 | Start of Summer – Grain in Ear | 9 AM–11 AM | Snakes hide |
| Horse | 5 | Grain in Ear – Minor Heat | 11 AM–1 PM | Horses transport |
| Goat | 6 | Minor Heat – Start of Autumn | 1 PM–3 PM | Goats graze |
| Monkey | 7 | Start of Autumn – White Dew | 3 PM–5 PM | Monkeys return to dens |
| Rooster | 8 | White Dew – Cold Dew | 5 PM–7 PM | Roosters return to coops |
| Dog | 9 | Cold Dew – Start of Winter | 7 PM–9 PM | Dogs guard |
| Pig | 10 | Start of Winter – Great Snow | 9 PM–11 PM | Pigs rest |
Relationships of Compatibility and Conflict Among Earthly Branches
The Earthly Branches form harmonious (compatible) and conflicting (clashing) relationships, impacting marriage, business, and major decisions:
1. Six Combinations (Dual Harmony)
Six pairs of Earthly Branches harmonize, generating vitality:
- Rat – Ox (Earth harmony)
- Tiger – Pig (Wood harmony)
- Rabbit – Dog (Fire harmony)
- Dragon – Rooster (Metal harmony)
- Snake – Monkey (Water harmony)
- Horse – Goat (Earth harmony)
2. Three Harmonies
Three Earthly Branches form harmonious groups, sharing the same Five Elements:
- Monkey – Rat – Dragon (Water)
- Pig – Rabbit – Goat (Wood)
- Tiger – Horse – Dog (Fire)
- Snake – Rooster – Ox (Metal)
3. Six Conflicts
Six pairs of Earthly Branches clash, creating obstacles:
- Rat – Horse
- Ox – Goat
- Tiger – Monkey
- Rabbit – Rooster
- Dragon – Dog
- Snake – Pig
4. Six Destructions
Six pairs of Earthly Branches sabotage each other:
- Rat – Rooster
- Horse – Cat
- Tiger – Pig
- Monkey – Snake
- Dragon – Ox
- Dog – Goat
5. Six Harms
Six pairs of Earthly Branches cause mutual detriment:
- Rat – Goat
- Ox – Horse
- Tiger – Snake
- Rabbit – Dragon
- Monkey – Pig
- Rooster – Dog
6. Four Clashes
Three groups of four Earthly Branches strongly conflict:
- Tiger – Monkey – Snake – Pig
- Dragon – Dog – Ox – Goat
- Rat – Horse – Rabbit – Rooster
Learn more:
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility: Best Matches & Clashes Explained
7. Three Alliances
Three Earthly Branches sharing the same direction form friendly alliances:
- Tiger – Rabbit – Dragon (East, Wood)
- Snake – Horse – Goat (South, Fire)
- Monkey – Rooster – Dog (West, Metal)
- Pig – Rat – Ox (North, Water)
Resolving Conflicts Among Earthly Branches
To mitigate conflicts (Six Conflicts, Destructions, Harms, Four Clashes), consider these remedies:
- Use a mediating element: Select a person or item aligned with a balancing Five Element. For example, Rat (Water) clashing with Horse (Fire) can be balanced with Wood as a mediator.
- Choose auspicious timings: Avoid hours or days tied to conflicting Earthly Branches for major events.
- Feng Shui items: Use gemstones or Feng Shui bracelets aligned with your element to boost positive energy.
- Patience and reconciliation: In relationships, understanding and compromise can reduce conflict.
Practical Applications of Earthly Branches in Daily Life
The Earthly Branches are not just theoretical but have practical uses:
- Compatibility analysis: Use Six Combinations or Three Harmonies to choose life partners or business associates.
- Home direction selection: Align house directions with Earthly Branch orientations.
- Auspicious date selection: Use hours and seasonal phases for weddings, openings, or groundbreaking.
- Destiny analysis: Combine Celestial Stems and Earthly Branches in Four Pillars to interpret fate.
The Twelve Earthly Branches are a key pillar in Feng Shui, offering insights into destiny, relationships, and energy balance. Understanding the 12 Earthly Branches, their compatibility and conflicts, and their applications empowers wiser decisions.
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