The 10 Heavenly Stems are essential to Chinese metaphysics. By combining them with the Earthly Branches, they form the sexagesimal cycle, helping us navigate time and space—whether by hour, day, month, or year. These Stems are also embedded in Chinese compasses (Luo Pan), providing insight into directional energies.
Etymology and Origin of the Heavenly Stems
The term 天干 (tiān gān) translates to “Heavenly Stems” in English, representing the energies from Heaven. These Stems have been in use since ancient China, where they once marked the ten days of the week. Combined with the twelve Earthly Branches, they create a 60-year cycle that’s integral to the Chinese calendar.
Appearing first in the Shang Dynasty (17th to 11th century BC), the Heavenly Stems are among the oldest known Chinese pictographs. These symbols were originally inscribed on bones used in divination practices.
The 10 Heavenly Stems
- 甲 (jiǎ): Wood Yang – The seed breaking through the soil.
- 乙 (yǐ): Wood Yin – The plant starts to grow and curve upward.
- 丙 (bǐng): Fire Yang – The vigorous growth of the plant.
- 丁 (dīng): Fire Yin – The plant reaching maturity.
- 戊 (wù): Earth Yang – The plant in full bloom.
- 己 (jǐ): Earth Yin – The plant begins to deform.
- 庚 (gēng): Metal Yang – The plant begins to wither, returning to the soil.
- 辛 (xīn): Metal Yin – A new seed forms, symbolizing renewal.
- 壬 (rén): Water Yang – The seed is nourished in darkness, representing conception.
- 癸 (guǐ): Water Yin – Hidden deep in the soil, the seed prepares for rebirth.
Yin-Yang and the Heavenly Stems
The concept of Yin and Yang is fundamental to understanding the Heavenly Stems. Each Stem is either Yang (active, odd-numbered) or Yin (passive, even-numbered).
- Yang Stems: 甲 (jiǎ), 丙 (bǐng), 戊 (wù), 庚 (gēng), 壬 (rén)
- Yin Stems: 乙 (yǐ), 丁 (dīng), 己 (jǐ), 辛 (xīn), 癸 (guǐ)
Heavenly Stems and the Five Elements
The Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) also correspond to the Heavenly Stems. Two consecutive Stems share the same element:
- Wood: 甲 (jiǎ) and 乙 (yǐ)
- Fire: 丙 (bǐng) and 丁 (dīng)
- Earth: 戊 (wù) and 己 (jǐ)
- Metal: 庚 (gēng) and 辛 (xīn)
- Water: 壬 (rén) and 癸 (guǐ)
Directions and the Heavenly Stems
Each Heavenly Stem also aligns with a cardinal direction, which plays a significant role in Feng Shui and other metaphysical practices:
- East: 甲 (jiǎ), 乙 (yǐ)
- South: 丙 (bǐng), 丁 (dīng)
- Center: 戊 (wù), 己 (jǐ)
- West: 庚 (gēng), 辛 (xīn)
- North: 壬 (rén), 癸 (guǐ)
In Feng Shui, these directions and their corresponding elements guide energy flow in spaces, helping practitioners harmonize environments.
Cycles of the Heavenly Stems
Generation Cycle (Creation)
This cycle explains how the elements (and Stems) nourish and create each other:
- Wood (甲, 乙) generates Fire (丙, 丁)
- Fire (丙, 丁) generates Earth (戊, 己)
- Earth (戊, 己) generates Metal (庚, 辛)
- Metal (庚, 辛) generates Water (壬, 癸)
- Water (壬, 癸) generates Wood (甲, 乙)
Control Cycle (Regulation)
In the Control Cycle, elements restrict each other to maintain balance:
- Wood (甲, 乙) controls Earth (戊, 己)
- Fire (丙, 丁) controls Metal (庚, 辛)
- Earth (戊, 己) controls Water (壬, 癸)
- Metal (庚, 辛) controls Wood (甲, 乙)
- Water (壬, 癸) controls Fire (丙, 丁)
Importance of the Heavenly Stems in Feng Shui, Bazi, and Divination
The Heavenly Stems are foundational across various branches of Chinese metaphysics, including:
- Feng Shui: The Stems help determine energy flow in homes and buildings, guiding the placement of objects to balance elemental energies.
- Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny): Each person’s birth chart is comprised of Heavenly Stems, helping practitioners understand an individual’s personality, fate, and life cycles.
- Qi Men Dun Jia: A form of divination and strategy, the Heavenly Stems in Qi Men Dun Jia help align actions with favorable energies.
- Yi Jing (I Ching) and Wen Wang Gua: The Stems are used in hexagrams and divination to interpret cosmic energies and predict outcomes.
Heavenly Stem Combinations
In Chinese metaphysics, certain combinations of Heavenly Stems create new elemental energies:
- 甲 (jiǎ) and 己 (jǐ) combine to create Earth
- 乙 (yǐ) and 庚 (gēng) combine to create Metal
- 丙 (bǐng) and 辛 (xīn) combine to create Water
- 丁 (dīng) and 壬 (rén) combine to create Wood
- 癸 (guǐ) and 戊 (wù) combine to create Fire
These combinations are vital in balancing energies within Bazi charts, Feng Shui analysis, and advanced metaphysical calculations.
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