Buzz
The Heavenly Stem is an ancient Feng Shui concept originating from the ancient culture of China. In this article, Mytour Blog will introduce you to the concept of Heavenly Stem and the detailed meaning of each Heavenly Stem in Feng Shui. You will gain a deeper understanding of the attributes and expressions of each Heavenly Stem, as well as how to calculate and view your Heavenly Stem based on your year of birth!
What is Heavenly Stem?
This is a numbering system forming a cycle to determine the time, direction, and five elements of all things in the world. The Heavenly Stem consists of 10 symbols: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui. Each Heavenly Stem has a corresponding yin-yang attribute and five elements. Together with the Earthly Branch (12 symbols: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig), Heavenly Stem forms the Heavenly Stem Earthly Branch system for calendrical and future prediction purposes.
Heavenly Stem is a cyclic numbering system used to determine time, direction, and the five elements (Source: Internet)Origin and Applications of Heavenly Stem
So what is Heavenly Stem, and where does it originate? Around 2700 BCE, Dai Nhyeu was tasked with creating a yearly calendar system. He researched and discovered the correlation between the celestial and earthly realms and the seasons. The result of his efforts was the creation of the Heavenly Stem Earthly Branch system, consisting of 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches. This laid the foundation for the primitive calendar.
According to another hypothesis, during the reign of Emperor Fu Xi, a wise figure uncovered the River Map. On the River Map were 10 numbers associated with the Five Elements. This led to the establishment of the Ten Heavenly Stems. This approach allowed ancient people to use these numbers for self-calculation and analysis of the direction, current situation, and future of an individual.
By using Heavenly Stem Earthly Branch, you can calculate and interpret the direction, situation, or future of an individual (Source: Mytour)What are the 10 Heavenly Stems in Feng Shui?
After understanding what Heavenly Stem is, what are the 10 Heavenly Stems in Feng Shui? The 10 Heavenly Stems are a cyclic numbering system used to determine time, direction, and the five elements in the world, including: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui. Each Heavenly Stem has a Yin-Yang attribute and corresponds to one of the five elements. Heavenly Stem, along with Earthly Branches (12 symbols: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig), forms the Heavenly Stem Earthly Branch system for calendrical and predictive purposes.
Each Heavenly Stem has a Yin-Yang attribute and corresponds to one of the five elements (Source: Internet)The Relationship Between Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches in Feng Shui
If you already know what Heavenly Stem is, you will undoubtedly be curious about the concept of Earthly Branches because Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch are two interconnected concepts that influence each other in Feng Shui. Heavenly Stem represents the movement of the heavens, while Earthly Branch represents the movement of the earth. These two concepts together create a 60-year cycle known as the Hoi or Sexagenary Cycle. Each year in this cycle has a unique pair of Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch. Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch also have relationships of compatibility and conflict based on the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. These relationships affect a person's personality, destiny, health, relationships, career, and more. Some basic relationships between Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch are:
- Compatible Heavenly Stem pairs: Jia – Ji; Yi – Geng; Bing – Xin; Ding – Ren; Mau – Quy.
- Conflicting Heavenly Stem pairs: Jia – Geng; Yi – Xin; Bing – Ren; Ding – Quy; Mau – Jia.
- Compatible Earthly Branch pairs: Rat – Ox; Tiger – Rabbit; Dragon – Snake; Horse – Goat; Monkey – Rooster; Dog – Pig.
- Conflicting Earthly Branch pairs: Rat – Monkey; Ox – Pig; Tiger – Rooster; Dragon – Dog; Snake – Pig; Horse – Goat.
If you already know what Heavenly Stem is, you will undoubtedly be curious about the concept of Earthly Branches (Source: Internet)Exploring the Attributes and Meanings of the 10 Heavenly Stems
In Chinese scholarship, Heavenly Stems refer to a system of 10 characters used to determine the day, month, and year in the ancient Chinese calendar. Each character represents one of the 10 Heavenly Stems. Here is a list of the Heavenly Stems and their meanings:
Yang Heavenly Stems
Yang Heavenly Stems are stems with positive, bright, and dynamic characteristics, including: Jia, Bing, Mau, Canh, Nham. Yang Heavenly Stems combine with the Five Elements to create the following factors:
- Giap: Belongs to Yang Wood, symbolizing the opening and vitality of all things.
- Bing: Belongs to Yang Fire, symbolizing the warmth and breakthrough of all things.
- Mau: Belongs to Yang Earth, symbolizing the lushness and freshness of all things.
- Canh: Belongs to Yang Metal, symbolizing the solidity and results of all things.
- Nham: Belongs to Yang Water, symbolizing the burden and nurturing of all things.
Yang Heavenly Stems are stems with positive, bright, and dynamic characteristics (Source: Mytour)Yin Heavenly Stems
Yin Heavenly Stems are stems with negative, dark, quiet, and negative characteristics, including: At, Ding, Ky, Tan, Quy. Yin Heavenly Stems combine with the Five Elements to create the following factors:
- At: Belongs to Yin Wood, symbolizing the softness, gentleness of all things.
- Dinh: Belongs to Yin Fire, symbolizing the strength, development of all things.
- Ky: Belongs to Yin Earth, symbolizing the maturity, differentiation of all things.
- Tan: Belongs to Yin Metal, symbolizing the freshness, harvest of all things.
- Quy: Belongs to Yin Water, symbolizing the measurement, dissolution of all things.
Yin Heavenly Stems are stems with negative, dark, quiet, and negative characteristics (Source: Internet)Decoding Compatible and Conflict Heavenly Stems
If you already understand what Heavenly Stems are, let's decode compatible and conflict Heavenly Stems in Feng Shui based on the relationships of the Five Elements. Each Heavenly Stem has a compatible and a conflicting Heavenly Stem. Compatible and conflicting Heavenly Stems influence the destiny, career, love, and health of individuals.
Harmonious Heavenly Stems
Harmonious Heavenly Stems occur when two Heavenly Stems give birth to the same Element. Here are Heavenly Stems that harmonize with each other:
- Giap (Yang Wood) and Ky (Yin Earth) harmonize with Earth.
- At (Yin Wood) and Canh (Yang Metal) harmonize with Metal.
- Binh (Yang Fire) and Nham (Yang Water) harmonize with Water.
- Mau (Yang Earth) and Quy (Yin Water) harmonize with Fire.
Pairs of Compatible Heavenly Stems (Source: Mytour)Opposing Heavenly Stems
Pairs of Heavenly Stems in opposition include:
- Giap, At Wood – Mau, Ky Earth.
- Binh, Dinh Fire – Canh, Tan Metal.
- Mau, Ky Earth – Nham, Quy Water.
- Canh, Tan Metal – Giap, At Wood.
- Nham, Quy Water – Binh, Dinh Fire.
Pairs of Opposing Heavenly Stems (Source: Mytour)Clashing Heavenly Stems
This occurs when two Heavenly Stems, despite having the same polarity, differ in the Five Elements, leading to conflict and discord. Here are pairs of Heavenly Stems that clash with each other:
- Giap (Yang Wood) and Canh (Yang Metal) clash.
- At (Yin Wood) and Tan (Yin Metal) clash.
- Nham (Yang Water) and Binh (Yang Fire) clash.
- Quy (Yin Water) and Dinh (Yin Fire) clash.
Pairs of Clashing Heavenly Stems (Source: Mytour)Generating Heavenly Stems
Generating Heavenly Stems occur when two Heavenly Stems have a mutually generative relationship based on the Five Elements, creating a harmonious and ascending synergy. There are two types of Generating Heavenly Stems:
Engender (Yang engenders Yin or Yin engenders Yang):
- Giap Wood – Binh Fire, At Wood – Dinh Fire, Binh Fire – Mau Earth.
- Dinh Fire – Ky Earth, Mau Earth – Canh Metal, Ky Earth – Tan Metal.
- Canh Metal – Nham Water, Tan Metal – Quy Water, Nham Water – Giap Wood.
- Quy Water – Giap Wood, Quy Water – At Wood.
Heavenly Seal (Yang engenders Yang or Yin engenders Yin):
- Giap Wood – Dinh Fire, At Wood – Binh Fire.
- Binh Fire – Ky Earth, Dinh Fire – Mau Earth, Mau Earth – Tan Metal.
- Ky Earth – Canh Metal, Canh Metal – Quy Water, Tan Metal – Nham Water.
- Nham Water – At Wood, Quy Water – Giap Wood.
There are two types of Generating Heavenly Stems: engender and Heavenly Seal (Source: Internet)Guide to Calculating Heavenly Stems Based on the Five Elements in Detail
So, what is Heavenly Stem, and how is it calculated? Here is a detailed guide on how to calculate Heavenly Stem based on the Five Elements and the Heavenly Stem of the destiny based on the birth year:
How to Calculate Destiny Heavenly Stem Based on Birth Year
Destiny Heavenly Stem is the concept that signifies the influence of the Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth) on a person's destiny. Each person has a unique destiny Heavenly Stem based on their birth year. These stems influence the personality and destiny of the individual. Moreover, destiny Heavenly Stems have relationships of harmony, clash, generation, restraint, and balance with each other. Considering destiny Heavenly Stems helps in choosing suitable times and directions for activities:
The formula to mentally calculate the Destiny Heavenly Stem based on the birth year is as follows: Destiny Heavenly Stem = Heavenly Stem + Earthly Branch
Where:
- The following table shows the corresponding values for each Heavenly Stem:
| Can | Giá trị quy đổi |
| Giáp – Ất | 1 |
| Bính – Đinh | 2 |
| Mậu – Kỷ | 3 |
| Canh – Tân | 4 |
| Nhâm – Quý | 5 |
- The value of Earthly Branch is converted as follows:
| Chi | Giá trị quy đổi |
| Tý – Sửu – Ngọ – Mùi | 0 |
| Dần – Mão – Thân – Dậu | 1 |
| Thìn – Tỵ – Tuất – Hợi | 2 |
After calculating the sum of Heavenly Stem + Earthly Branch, we will convert it back to the Five Elements according to the following table: (If the sum exceeds 5, subtract 5 to determine the fundamental Element).
| Tổng | Ngũ hành |
| 1 | Kim |
| 2 | Thủy |
| 3 | Hỏa |
| 4 | Thổ |
| 5 | Mộc |
The concept of Heavenly Stem represents the influence of the Five Elements on an individual's destiny (Source: Mytour)How to Calculate Heavenly Stem Based on Birth Year
To calculate the Heavenly Stem based on the birth year, simply take the last digit of the lunar birth year and cross-reference it with the order table below:
| Số cuối cùng | Thiên Can |
| 0 | Canh |
| 1 | Tân |
| 2 | Nhâm |
| 3 | Quý |
| 4 | Giáp |
| 5 | Ất |
| 6 | Bính |
| 7 | Đinh |
| 8 | Mậu |
| 9 | Kỷ |
Example: If you were born in the year 2000, your calculation would be as follows:
- Lunar birth year: Canh Thìn.
- Last digit: 0.
- Heavenly Stem: Canh.
So your Heavenly Stem is Canh.
Simple and understandable method to calculate Heavenly Stem based on birth year (Source: Internet)Frequently Asked Questions
There's no single Heavenly Stem that is absolutely good or bad. Each Heavenly Stem has its own strengths and weaknesses depending on its relationship with other Heavenly Stems, the Five Elements, Earthly Branches, time, and the individual's chart.
Mytour hopes that through this article, you have understood What is the Heavenly Stem and its significance in Feng Shui. You've also learned how to calculate and view the Heavenly Stem based on the birth year, as well as how to use the Heavenly Stem to support your life and work. Wishing you continued success in the future!
