Chinese Ganzhi · Interactive Learning Map

Learn Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches like programming concepts - click to explore each element's attributes and relationships.

天干 · 十天干

甲

木阳

乙

木阴

丙

火阳

丁

火阴

戊

土阳

己

土阴

庚

金阳

辛

金阴

壬

水阳

癸

水阴

Learning Path

Step 1: Know the Heavenly Stems

The Ten Heavenly Stems represent the celestial, active Yang force in the Ganzhi system.

Stem	Element	Yin/Yang	Direction
甲 Jiǎ	Wood	Yang	East
乙 Yǐ	Wood	Yin	East
丙 Bǐng	Fire	Yang	South
丁 Dīng	Fire	Yin	South
戊 Wù	Earth	Yang	Center
己 Jǐ	Earth	Yin	Center
庚 Gēng	Metal	Yang	West
辛 Xīn	Metal	Yin	West
壬 Rén	Water	Yang	North
癸 Guǐ	Water	Yin	North

Step 2: Know the Earthly Branches

The Twelve Earthly Branches correspond to the Chinese zodiac and the twelve double-hours.

Branch	Zodiac	Element	Hours	Month
子 Zǐ	Rat	Water	23-01	11th
丑 Chǒu	Ox	Earth	01-03	12th
寅 Yín	Tiger	Wood	03-05	1st
卯 Mǎo	Rabbit	Wood	05-07	2nd
辰 Chén	Dragon	Earth	07-09	3rd
巳 Sì	Snake	Fire	09-11	4th
午 Wǔ	Horse	Fire	11-13	5th
未 Wèi	Goat	Earth	13-15	6th
申 Shēn	Monkey	Metal	15-17	7th
酉 Yǒu	Rooster	Metal	17-19	8th
戌 Xū	Dog	Earth	19-21	9th
亥 Hài	Pig	Water	21-23	10th

Step 3: Understand Combinations

Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches combine following the rule "Yang pairs with Yang, Yin pairs with Yin" to form the Sixty Jiazi cycle.

Step 4: Master Five Elements

The Five Elements (Wuxing) form the theoretical foundation of the Ganzhi system:

• Generation Cycle: Wood→Fire→Earth→Metal→Water→Wood
• Overcoming Cycle: Wood→Earth→Water→Fire→Metal→Wood

Learning Tips

1. First memorize the order of Ten Stems and Twelve Branches
2. Understand each Ganzhi's Five Element attribute
3. Master Yin/Yang determination (odd positions are Yang, even are Yin)
4. Learn relationships between Ganzhi (combinations, clashes, punishments, harms)