Five Elements Mark Chinese Time



10 Heavenly Stalks
jia3 = yang (positive) wood
yi3  = ying (negative) wood
bing3= yang (positive) fire
ding1= ying (negative) fire
wu4  = yang (positive) earth
ji3  = ying (negative) earth
geng1= yang (positive) metal
xin1 = ying (negative) metal
ren2 = yang (positive) water
gui3 = ying (negative) water

12 Earthly Branches

zi2  = mouse, containing gui3
chou3= cow, containing gui3 xin1 ji3
yin2 = tiger, containing jia3 bing3 wu4
mao3 = rabbit,containing yi3
chen2= dragon, containing yi3  gui3 wu4
si4  = snake, containing  geng1 bing3 wu4
wu3  = horse, containing  ding1 ji3
wei4 = goat, containing ding1 yi3  ji3
shen1= monkey, containing geng1 ren2  wu4
you3 = chicken, containing xin1
shu4 = dog, containing xin1 ding1 wu4
hai4 = pig, containing ren2  jia3


Although the Book of Changes does not mention all of the elements,
they are very important in the understanding of the principles of
the Yijing. In the first place, the original oracle bones use these
symbols to mark divination. The five elements of metal,wood, water,
five, and earth were used by the Han Dynasty practicians of the
Yijing to facilitate their applications. Chinese have used this
system ever since in practicallly every aspect of the cultural
systems. To ignore these elements is to dismiss the essense of
the Book of Changes. Only with the add of this instrument can one
bring forth the meaning of the Yijing.

Tony Wang Oct. 30, 1997

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