Yin-Yang Classification of the Earthly Branches (地支陰陽)
Compare the six yang and six yin Earthly Branches, understand the alternating sequence, and keep polarity separate from strength, gender, and fortune.
Overview
The yang branches are Zi, Yin, Chen, Wu, Shen, and Xu; the yin branches are Chou, Mao, Si, Wei, You, and Hai. The polarity alternates through the fixed sequence and supports relation derivation, but it does not measure effective strength, determine gender, or rank branches as favorable or unfavorable.
At a glance
- Yang branches
- Zi, Yin, Chen, Wu, Shen, Xu
- Yin branches
- Chou, Mao, Si, Wei, You, Hai
- Pattern
- Polarity alternates in canonical order
- Fixed field
- A branch does not change polarity
- Separate analysis
- Polarity is not strength or usefulness
- Sensitive boundary
- Not sex, gender, behavior, or moral value
The classification is fixed and checkable
Zi starts as yang, Chou follows as yin, and the alternation continues through Hai.
The six-and-six grouping belongs in the deterministic data layer and should not be guessed from season, appearance, or an animal image.
- Use the complete canonical table.
- Never infer polarity from stereotypes.
Polarity refines rather than replaces phase
Yin and Mao are both Wood branches, but their polarity helps distinguish position and relation rules inside the traditional system.
Effective capacity still depends on month command, hidden stems, roots, interactions, and the chart’s overall structure.
- Store polarity and phase separately.
- Assess strength with independent evidence.
Derived relations need exact participants
Combinations and other branch relations use fixed named pairs or groups; polarity can describe the members but does not itself create the relation.
A listed pair is only a candidate. Transformation, activation, and outcome require additional conditions and counterevidence.
- Match exact branch symbols.
- Separate relation identity from result.
Yin and yang are not demographic predictions
Branch polarity cannot reveal sex, gender identity, orientation, fertility, dominance, passivity, intelligence, or mental health.
Neither set is inherently lucky, healthy, modern, or valuable. Consequential judgments require direct real-world information.
- Do not infer sensitive traits.
- Do not rank yin and yang branches.
Sources and editorial basis
- 《御定星曆考原》卷一《星曆考原》干支陰陽五行諸論：十二支陰陽固定交替與曆法座標A historical source for stem and branch Yin-Yang, Five Phase, direction, seasonal, and calendrical correspondences.
- 《三命通會》 (Sanming Tonghui)《三命通會》論支干陰陽：地支陰陽用於傳統關係分類而非旺衰與吉凶分數A historical compilation covering stems and branches, Ten Gods, Nayin, Shen Sha, and multiple classical pattern systems.
- OpenFate Editorial Methodology地支陰陽頁明確隔離陰陽、五行、強弱與敏感人口屬性，禁止性別及價值推斷OpenFate separates deterministic chart calculation, traditional interpretation, and modern editorial explanation.