Twelve Earthly Branches — Quick Reference Table

A complete twelve earthly branches table with Chinese characters, animals, elements, directions, and seasons. Learn how these 12 branches are used in BaZi chart reading.

Last updated · Jun 2, 20264 min read

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If you are looking for a complete twelve earthly branches table that you can bookmark and return to, this guide gives you exactly that. The Twelve Earthly Branches (地支, dìzhī) are the second set of characters in the Chinese calendar system and a core component of BaZi (Four Pillars of Destiny) chart analysis. Together with the Ten Heavenly Stems, they form the 60-year cycle and represent time, direction, and elemental energy in specific years, months, days, and hours.

The Complete Twelve Earthly Branches Table

The table below lists each branch by its Chinese character, pinyin, associated zodiac animal, yin/yang nature, element (Wu Xing), direction, and the approximate time and month it governs. Use this as a one-stop reference.

Branch	Pinyin	Zodiac Animal	Yin/Yang	Element	Direction	Time (2-hour)	Month
子	zǐ	Rat	Yang	Water	North	11pm–1am	December
丑	chǒu	Ox	Yin	Earth	North-Northeast	1am–3am	January
寅	yín	Tiger	Yang	Wood	East-Northeast	3am–5am	February
卯	mǎo	Rabbit	Yin	Wood	East	5am–7am	March
辰	chén	Dragon	Yang	Earth	East-Southeast	7am–9am	April
巳	sì	Snake	Yin	Fire	Southeast	9am–11am	May
午	wǔ	Horse	Yang	Fire	South	11am–1pm	June
未	wèi	Goat	Yin	Earth	South-Southwest	1pm–3pm	July
申	shēn	Monkey	Yang	Metal	West-Southwest	3pm–5pm	August
酉	yǒu	Rooster	Yin	Metal	West	5pm–7pm	September
戌	xū	Dog	Yang	Earth	West-Northwest	7pm–9pm	October
亥	hài	Pig	Yin	Water	Northwest	9pm–11pm	November

How Earthly Branches Work in a BaZi Chart

In a BaZi chart, each of the Four Pillars (Year, Month, Day, Hour) contains one Earthly Branch. For example, the Hour Branch corresponds to the time you were born, while the Month Branch represents the season and climate of your birth. The Earthly Branch interacts with the Heavenly Stem above it to form a combined "pillar" that carries both celestial and terrestrial energy.

Hidden Stems (藏干): Each Earthly Branch also contains a set of hidden Heavenly Stems that reflect deeper energies. For example, 子 (Rat) contains only Water, while 丑 (Ox) contains Earth, Wood, and Water.
Combinations and Conflicts: Branches can combine, clash, or harm each other, affecting the overall balance of your chart. Common combinations include 亥+寅+卯 (Water + Wood) forming a Wood structure, and clashes like 子-午 (Water-Fire clash).

Using the Free BaZi Calculator to Find Your Branches

To see your own Earthly Branches, visit the Free BaZi Calculator and enter your birth date, exact birth time, and birthplace. The tool will generate your Four Pillars chart, showing the Earthly Branch for each pillar. For example, if you were born on March 15, 2024 at 8:30 AM in New York, the calculator might show:

Year Pillar: 甲辰 (Yang Wood – 辰 Dragon)
Month Pillar: 丁卯 (Yin Fire – 卯 Rabbit)
Day Pillar: 庚戌 (Yang Metal – 戌 Dog)
Hour Pillar: 庚辰 (Yang Metal – 辰 Dragon)

You can then compare these branches with the reference table above to understand their animal, element, and direction.

Important Limitations

The Earthly Branches provide a foundational structure, but a full BaZi reading requires considering the interaction of all eight characters (four stems + four branches), the luck pillars (大运), and the annual energy (流年). A single branch does not determine your destiny. Always interpret your chart holistically and avoid making major life decisions based solely on one element.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches?
Heavenly Stems represent celestial energy and are often associated with the active, outward expression of an element, while Earthly Branches represent earthly or receptive energy that grounds and stabilizes. In a BaZi chart, the Stem sits above the Branch, forming a complete pillar.

2. How do I read my Earthly Branches from my birthday?
You can use the Free BaZi Calculator to convert your birth date into the Chinese sexagenary cycle. The calculator will output the four Earthly Branches corresponding to your birth year, month, day, and hour.

3. Are Earthly Branches the same as Chinese zodiac signs?
Yes, each Earthly Branch is represented by an animal zodiac sign (e.g., 子 = Rat, 午 = Horse). However, in BaZi, the branch carries deeper meanings related to element, direction, and hidden stems beyond just the animal.

4. Why does my birth hour matter for the Earthly Branches?
The Hour Branch is determined by your birth time and represents your late-life expression and career tendencies. It also helps complete the chart for a more accurate analysis of your day master (日主) interactions.

5. Can two people with the same Earthly Branches have the same fate?
No. Each person’s BaZi chart includes unique Heavenly Stems and Branches across four pillars, plus luck cycles. Even identical earth branches can produce different outcomes depending on the interaction with other chart elements.

Next Step: Try the Free BaZi Calculator

Now that you have a complete reference, see your own Earthly Branches in action. Use the Free BaZi Calculator to generate your personalized Four Pillars chart and explore how the branches influence your Day Master and overall element balance.