Glossary 10 terms

Chinese astrology

  1. Five Elements (Wuxing 五行) The five elements (wuxing 五行) are the five phases that structure Chinese astrology: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. Two cycles bind them. The generating cycle (sheng) runs…
  2. Yin and Yang (陰陽) Yin and yang (陰陽) are the two complementary polarities of Chinese thought, and in astrology they tint every element and every year. Yang is active, bright, expansive; yin is…
  3. Earthly Branches (Dizhi 地支) The twelve earthly branches (dizhi 地支) are the series of twelve signs that carry the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac and divide time into twelve parts. In order: Zi (Rat),…
  4. Heavenly Stems (Tiangan 天干) The ten heavenly stems (tiangan 天干) are the series of ten signs that express the five elements doubled by yin and yang. Each element appears twice, first yang then yin: Jia and…
  5. Sexagenary cycle (Ganzhi 干支) The sexagenary cycle (ganzhi 干支) is the wheel of sixty combinations pairing the ten heavenly stems with the twelve earthly branches. Its length of sixty is no arbitrary choice:…
  6. Secret animal (hour animal) The secret animal, or inner animal, is the Chinese sign set by the hour of birth rather than the year. The day is split into twelve two-hour slots, each ruled by an earthly…
  7. Affinity triangles (compatibility) The four affinity triangles (san he 三合) group the twelve Chinese animals into four trios held to be naturally compatible. Each trio gathers signs set four steps apart on the…
  8. Fixed element of the sign vs element of the year Each Chinese animal carries a fixed element, bound to it forever, distinct from the variable element given by the birth year. The fixed element comes from the branch’s season:…
  9. Ba Zi (八字, the four pillars of destiny) The Ba Zi (八字), or four pillars of destiny, is the birth chart of Chinese astrology. It is built from four pillars, one for the year, month, day and hour of birth, each made of…
  10. Chinese New Year (movable date) Chinese New Year marks the change of zodiac animal, and its date shifts each year between 21 January and 20 February. The traditional rule fixes it to the second new moon after…