What are the Heavenly Stems?

The first mention of the 10 Heavenly Stems (Tian Gan) was in 2697 BC by Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor. Together with the 12 Earthly Branches (Di Zhi), they comprised the units in a system for counting time in 60 year cycles in the traditional Chinese calendar.

The Heavenly Stems represent heavenly qi, yielding providence, and the Earth Branches represent earth qi, as manifest in nature and destiny. The 12 Earth Branches also correspond to the 12 animal signs of the Chinese zodiac.

Each of the stems and branches is classified into either yin or yang and matches up with one of the 5 elements. Together, one stem plus one branch formed a Pillar of Destiny, and one of these was assigned to each year in history, forming a cycle of 60 years. In 104 BC, this sexagenarian cycle was applied to the classification of months in cycles of 60, and in the Song Dynasty (960 to 1276 AD) it was extended to days and hours as well.

Each of the Four Pillars of Destiny (for year, month, day, and time of birth) were calculated for individuals by astrologers in order to determine principles of Feng Shui for the individual's home and business.

In the ancient esoteric acupuncture text called the 8 Magic Turtle Acupuncture Techniques, the Heavenly Stems and Earth Branches were used to devise a system of chronoacupuncture, or acupuncture based on time. The same cycle of 60 was used with respect to day and hour, and it was postulated that the qi moves through different acupuncture points at each stage in this cycle.

Thus, at any given day and time of a treatment, a corresponding point exists which optimizes the effects of the treatment if it is added to a point prescription. In addition, if there is one point which the practitioner hopes to amplify, the treatment can be scheduled at an appropriate time of day for that point to be "open" according to the stem / branch cycle.


Here's a detailed look at each of the 10 stems.