Sexagenary cycle | |||||||||
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Chinese | 六十干支 | ||||||||
Literal meaning | sixty stem branch | ||||||||
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Alternative Chinese name | |||||||||
Chinese | 干支 | ||||||||
Literal meaning | stem branch | ||||||||
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The sexagenary cycle,also known as the ganzhi or stems-and-branches is a cycle of sixty terms,each corresponding to one year,thus a total of sixty years for one cycle,historically used for recording time in China and the rest of the East Asian cultural sphere and Southeast Asia. [1] It appears as a means of recording days in the first Chinese written texts,the oracle bones of the late second millennium BC Shang dynasty. Its use to record years began around the middle of the 3rd century BC. [2] The cycle and its variations have been an important part of the traditional calendrical systems in Chinese-influenced Asian states and territories,particularly those of Japan,Korea,and Vietnam,with the old Chinese system still in use in Taiwan,and in Mainland China. [3] In India,the Ahom people (descendants of the Dai people of Yunnan who migrated to Assam in the 13th century) also used the sexagenary cycle known as Lak-Ni. [4] [5]
This traditional method of numbering days and years no longer has any significant role in modern Chinese time-keeping or the official calendar. However,the sexagenary cycle is used in the names of many historical events,such as the Chinese Xinhai Revolution,the Japanese Boshin War,the Korean Imjin War and the Vietnamese Famine of Ất Dậu,Tết Mậu Thân. It also continues to have a role in contemporary Chinese astrology and fortune telling. There are some parallels in this with Tamil calendar.
Sexagenary cycle | |||||
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1 Wood Rat | 2 Wood Ox | 3 Fire Tiger | 4 Fire Rabbit | 5 Earth Dragon | 6 Earth Snake |
7 Metal Horse | 8 Metal Goat | 9 Water Monkey | 10 Water Rooster | 11 Wood Dog | 12 Wood Pig |
13 Fire Rat | 14 Fire Ox | 15 Earth Tiger | 16 Earth Rabbit | 17 Metal Dragon | 18 Metal Snake |
19 Water Horse | 20 Water Goat | 21 Wood Monkey | 22 Wood Rooster | 23 Fire Dog | 24 Fire Pig |
25 Earth Rat | 26 Earth Ox | 27 Metal Tiger | 28 Metal Rabbit | 29 Water Dragon | 30 Water Snake |
31 Wood Horse | 32 Wood Goat | 33 Fire Monkey | 34 Fire Rooster | 35 Earth Dog | 36 Earth Pig |
37 Metal Rat | 38 Metal Ox | 39 Water Tiger | 40 Water Rabbit | 41 Wood Dragon | 42 Wood Snake |
43 Fire Horse | 44 Fire Goat | 45 Earth Monkey | 46 Earth Rooster | 47 Metal Dog | 48 Metal Pig |
49 Water Rat | 50 Water Ox | 51 Wood Tiger | 52 Wood Rabbit | 53 Fire Dragon | 54 Fire Snake |
55 Earth Horse | 56 Earth Goat | 57 Metal Monkey | 58 Metal Rooster | 59 Water Dog | 60 Water Pig |
Heavenly Stems ・Earthly Branches |
Each term in the sexagenary cycle consists of two Chinese characters,the first being one of the ten Heavenly Stems of the Shang-era week and the second being one of the twelve Earthly Branches representing the years of Jupiter's duodecennial orbital cycle. The first term jiǎzǐ ( 甲子 ) combines the first heavenly stem with the first earthly branch. The second term yǐchǒu ( 乙丑 ) combines the second stem with the second branch. This pattern continues until both cycles conclude simultaneously with guǐhài ( 癸亥 ),after which it begins again at jiǎzǐ. This termination at ten and twelve's least common multiple leaves half of the combinations—such as jiǎchǒu (甲丑)—unused;this is traditionally explained by reference to pairing the stems and branches according to their yin and yang properties.
This combination of two sub-cycles to generate a larger cycle and its use to record time have parallels in other calendrical systems,notably the Akan calendar. [6]
The sexagenary cycle is attested as a method of recording days from the earliest written records in China,records of divination on oracle bones,beginning c. 1100 BC. [7] Almost every oracle bone inscription includes a date in this format. This use of the cycle for days is attested throughout the Zhou dynasty and remained common into the Han period for all documentary purposes that required dates specified to the day.
Almost all the dates in the Spring and Autumn Annals ,a chronological list of events from 722 to 481 BC,use this system in combination with regnal years and months (lunations) to record dates. Eclipses recorded in the Annals demonstrate that continuity in the sexagenary day-count was unbroken from that period onwards. It is likely that this unbroken continuity went back still further to the first appearance of the sexagenary cycle during the Shang period. [8]
The use of the sexagenary cycle for recording years is much more recent. The earliest discovered documents showing this usage are among the silk manuscripts recovered from Mawangdui tomb 3,sealed in 168 BC. In one of these documents,a sexagenary grid diagram is annotated in three places to mark notable events. For example,the first year of the reign of Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇),246 BC,is noted on the diagram next to the position of the 60-cycle term yǐmǎo (乙卯,52 of 60),corresponding to that year. [9] [10] Use of the cycle to record years became widespread for administrative time-keeping during the Western Han dynasty (202 BC –8 AD). The count of years has continued uninterrupted ever since: [11] the year 1984 began the present cycle (a 甲子—jiǎzǐ year),and 2044 will begin another. Note that in China the new year,when the sexagenary count increments,is not January 1,but rather the lunar new year of the traditional Chinese calendar. For example,the jichou己丑 year (coinciding roughly with 2009) began on January 26,2009. (However,for astrology,the year begins with the first solar term "Lìchūn" (立春),which occurs near February 4.)
In Japan,according to Nihon shoki ,the calendar was transmitted to Japan in 553. But it was not until the Suiko era that the calendar was used for politics. The year 604,when the Japanese officially adopted the Chinese calendar,was the first year of the cycle. [12]
The Korean (환갑;還甲 hwangap) and Japanese tradition (還暦kanreki) of celebrating the 60th birthday (literally 'return of calendar') reflects the influence of the sexagenary cycle as a count of years. [13]
The Tibetan calendar also counts years using a 60-year cycle based on 12 animals and 5 elements,but while the first year of the Chinese cycle is always jiǎzǐ (the year of the Wood Rat),the first year of the Tibetan cycle is dīngmǎo (丁卯;year 4 on the Chinese cycle,year of the Fire Rabbit). [14]
No. | Heavenly Stem | Ahom Name | Chinese name | Japanese name | Korean name | Vietnamese name | Yin Yang | Wu Xing | |||||
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Mandarin (Pinyin) | Cantonese (Jyutping) | Middle Chinese (Baxter) | Old Chinese (Baxter–Sagart) | Onyomi | Kunyomi with corresponding kanji | Romanized | Hangul | ||||||
1 | 甲 | kap | jiǎ | gaap3 | kæp | *[k]ˤr[a]p | kō(こう) | kinoe (木の兄) | gap | 갑 | giáp | yang | wood |
2 | 乙 | dap | yǐ | jyut3 | ʔit | *qrət | otsu (おつ) | kinoto (木の弟) | eul | 을 | ất | yin | |
3 | 丙 | rai | bǐng | bing2 | pjængX | *praŋʔ | hei (へい) | hinoe (火の兄) | byeong | 병 | bính | yang | fire |
4 | 丁 | Mueang | dīng | ding1 | teng | *tˤeŋ | tei (てい) | hinoto (火の弟) | jeong | 정 | đinh | yin | |
5 | 戊 | plaek | wù | mou6 | muwH | *m(r)uʔ-s (~ *m(r)uʔ) | bo (ぼ) | tsuchinoe (土の兄) | mu | 무 | mậu | yang | earth |
6 | 己 | kat | jǐ | gei2 | kiX | *k(r)əʔ | ki (き) | tsuchinoto (土の弟) | gi | 기 | kỷ | yin | |
7 | 庚 | khut | gēng | gang1 | kæng | *kˤraŋ | kō(こう) | kanoe (金の兄) | gyeong | 경 | canh | yang | metal |
8 | 辛 | rung | xīn | san1 | sin | *si[n] | shin (しん) | kanoto (金の弟) | sin | 신 | tân | yin | |
9 | 壬 | tao | rén | jam4 | nyim | *n[ə]m | jin (じん) | mizunoe (水の兄) | im | 임 | nhâm | yang | water |
10 | 癸 | ka | guǐ | gwai3 | kjwijX | *kʷijʔ | ki (き) | mizunoto (水の弟) | gye | 계 | quý | yin |
No. | Earthly Branch | Chinese name | Japanese name | Korean name | Vietnamese name | Vietnamese zodiac | Chinese zodiac | Corresponding hours | |||||
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Mandarin (Pinyin) | Cantonese (Jyutping) | Middle Chinese (Baxter) | Old Chinese (Baxter–Sagart) | Onyomi | Kunyomi | Romanized | Hangul | ||||||
1 | 子 | zǐ | zi2 | tsiX | *[ts]əʔ | shi (し) | ne (ね) | ja | 자 | tý | Rat (chuột𤝞) | Rat (鼠) | 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. |
2 | 丑 | chǒu | cau2 | trhjuwX | *[n̥]ruʔ | chū(ちゅう) | ushi (うし) | chuk | 축 | sửu | Water buffalo (trâu𤛠) | Ox (牛) | 1 to 3 a.m. |
3 | 寅 | yín | jan4 | yij | *[ɢ](r)ər | in (いん) | tora (とら) | in | 인 | dần | Tiger (hổ虎/cọp𧲫) | Tiger (虎) | 3 to 5 a.m. |
4 | 卯 | mǎo | maau5 | mæwX | *mˤruʔ | bō (ぼう) | u (う) | myo | 묘 | mão/mẹo | Cat (mèo猫) | Rabbit (兔) | 5 to 7 a.m. |
5 | 辰 | chén | san4 | dzyin | *[d]ər | shin (しん) | tatsu (たつ) | jin | 진 | thìn | Dragon (rồng龍) | Dragon (龍) | 7 to 9 a.m. |
6 | 巳 | sì | zi6 | ziX | *s-[ɢ]əʔ | shi (し) | mi (み) | sa | 사 | tỵ | Snake (rắn𧋻) | Snake (蛇) | 9 to 11 a.m. |
7 | 午 | wǔ | ng5 | nguX | *[m].qʰˤaʔ | go (ご) | uma (うま) | o | 오 | ngọ | Horse (ngựa馭) | Horse (馬) | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
8 | 未 | wèi | mei6 | mjɨjH | *m[ə]t-s | mi (み) or bi (び) | hitsuji (ひつじ) | mi | 미 | mùi | Goat (dê羝) | Goat (羊) | 1 to 3 p.m. |
9 | 申 | shēn | san1 | syin | *l̥i[n] | shin (しん) | saru (さる) | sin | 신 | thân | Monkey (khỉ𤠳) | Monkey (猴) | 3 to 5 p.m. |
10 | 酉 | yǒu | jau5 | yuwX | *N-ruʔ | yū (ゆう) | tori (とり) | yu | 유 | dậu | Rooster (gà𪂮) | Rooster (雞) | 5 to 7 p.m. |
11 | 戌 | xū | seot1 | swit | *s.mi[t] | jutsu (じゅつ) | inu (いぬ) | sul | 술 | tuất | Dog (chó㹥) | Dog (狗) | 7 to 9 p.m. |
12 | 亥 | hài | hoi6 | hojX | *[g]ˤəʔ | gai (がい) | i (い) | hae | 해 | hợi | Pig (lợn𤞼/heo㺧) | Pig (豬) | 9 to 11 p.m. |
*The names of several animals can be translated into English in several different ways. The Vietnamese Earthly Branches use cat instead of Rabbit.
No. | Stem-Branch | Mandarin Chinese Pinyin | Korean | Japanese | Vietnamese | Associations | AD | BC | Current Cycle |
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1 | 甲子 | jiǎzǐ | gapja 갑자 |
| Giáp Tý | Yang Wood Rat | 4 | 57 | 1984 |
2 | 乙丑 | yǐchǒu | eulchuk 을축 |
| Ất Sửu | Yin Wood Ox | 5 | 56 | 1985 |
3 | 丙寅 | bǐngyín | byeongin 병인 |
| Bính Dần | Yang Fire Tiger | 6 | 55 | 1986 |
4 | 丁卯 | dīngmǎo | jeongmyo 정묘 |
| Đinh Mão | Yin Fire Rabbit | 7 | 54 | 1987 |
5 | 戊辰 | wùchén | mujin 무진 |
| Mậu Thìn | Yang Earth Dragon | 8 | 53 | 1988 |
6 | 己巳 | jǐsì | gisa 기사 |
| Kỷ Tỵ | Yin Earth Snake | 9 | 52 | 1989 |
7 | 庚午 | gēngwǔ | gyeongo 경오 |
| Canh Ngọ | Yang Metal Horse | 10 | 51 | 1990 |
8 | 辛未 | xīnwèi | sinmi 신미 |
| Tân Mùi | Yin Metal Goat | 11 | 50 | 1991 |
9 | 壬申 | rénshēn | imsin 임신 |
| Nhâm Thân | Yang Water Monkey | 12 | 49 | 1992 |
10 | 癸酉 | guǐyǒu | gyeyu 계유 |
| Quý Dậu | Yin Water Rooster | 13 | 48 | 1993 |
11 | 甲戌 | jiǎxū | gapsul 갑술 |
| Giáp Tuất | Yang Wood Dog | 14 | 47 | 1994 |
12 | 乙亥 | yǐhài | eulhae 을해 |
| Ât Hợi | Yin Wood Pig | 15 | 46 | 1995 |
13 | 丙子 | bǐngzǐ | byeongja 병자 |
| Bính Tý | Yang Fire Rat | 16 | 45 | 1996 |
14 | 丁丑 | dīngchǒu | jeongchuk 정축 |
| Đinh Sửu | Yin Fire Ox | 17 | 44 | 1997 |
15 | 戊寅 | wùyín | muin 무인 |
| Mậu Dần | Yang Earth Tiger | 18 | 43 | 1998 |
16 | 己卯 | jǐmǎo | gimyo 기묘 |
| Kỷ Mão | Yin Earth Rabbit | 19 | 42 | 1999 |
17 | 庚辰 | gēngchén | gyeongjin 경진 |
| Canh Thìn | Yang Metal Dragon | 20 | 41 | 2000 |
18 | 辛巳 | xīnsì | sinsa 신사 |
| Tân Tỵ | Yin Metal Snake | 21 | 40 | 2001 |
19 | 壬午 | rénwǔ | imo 임오 |
| Nhâm Ngọ | Yang Water Horse | 22 | 39 | 2002 |
20 | 癸未 | guǐwèi | gyemi 계미 |
| Quý Mùi | Yin Water Goat | 23 | 38 | 2003 |
21 | 甲申 | jiǎshēn | gapsin 갑신 |
| Giáp Thân | Yang Wood Monkey | 24 | 37 | 2004 |
22 | 乙酉 | yǐyǒu | euryu 을유 |
| Ất Dậu | Yin Wood Rooster | 25 | 36 | 2005 |
23 | 丙戌 | bǐngxū | byeongsul 병술 |
| Bính Tuất | Yang Fire Dog | 26 | 35 | 2006 |
24 | 丁亥 | dīnghài | jeonghae 정해 |
| Đinh Hợi | Yin Fire Pig | 27 | 34 | 2007 |
25 | 戊子 | wùzǐ | muja 무자 |
| Mậu Tý | Yang Earth Rat | 28 | 33 | 2008 |
26 | 己丑 | jǐchǒu | gichuk 기축 |
| Kỷ Sửu | Yin Earth Ox | 29 | 32 | 2009 |
27 | 庚寅 | gēngyín | gyeongin 경인 |
| Canh Dần | Yang Metal Tiger | 30 | 31 | 2010 |
28 | 辛卯 | xīnmǎo | sinmyo 신묘 |
| Tân Mão | Yin Metal Rabbit | 31 | 30 | 2011 |
29 | 壬辰 | rénchén | imjin 임진 |
| Nhâm Thìn | Yang Water Dragon | 32 | 29 | 2012 |
30 | 癸巳 | guǐsì | gyesa 계사 |
| Quý Tỵ | Yin Water Snake | 33 | 28 | 2013 |
31 | 甲午 | jiǎwǔ | gabo 갑오 |
| Giáp Ngọ | Yang Wood Horse | 34 | 27 | 2014 |
32 | 乙未 | yǐwèi | eulmi 을미 |
| Ất Mùi | Yin Wood Goat | 35 | 26 | 2015 |
33 | 丙申 | bǐngshēn | byeongsin 병신 |
| Bính Thân | Yang Fire Monkey | 36 | 25 | 2016 |
34 | 丁酉 | dīngyǒu | jeongyu 정유 |
| Đinh Dậu | Yin Fire Rooster | 37 | 24 | 2017 |
35 | 戊戌 | wùxū | musul 무술 |
| Mậu Tuất | Yang Earth Dog | 38 | 23 | 2018 |
36 | 己亥 | jǐhài | gihae 기해 |
| Kỷ Hợi | Yin Earth Pig | 39 | 22 | 2019 |
37 | 庚子 | gēngzǐ | gyeongja 경자 |
| Canh Tý | Yang Metal Rat | 40 | 21 | 2020 |
38 | 辛丑 | xīnchǒu | sinchuk 신축 |
| Tân Sửu | Yin Metal Ox | 41 | 20 | 2021 |
39 | 壬寅 | rényín | imin 임인 |
| Nhâm Dần | Yang Water Tiger | 42 | 19 | 2022 |
40 | 癸卯 | guǐmǎo | gyemyo 계묘 |
| Quý Mão | Yin Water Rabbit | 43 | 18 | 2023 |
41 | 甲辰 | jiǎchén | gapjin 갑진 |
| Giáp Thìn | Yang Wood Dragon | 44 | 17 | 2024 |
42 | 乙巳 | yǐsì | eulsa 을사 |
| Ất Tỵ | Yin Wood Snake | 45 | 16 | 2025 |
43 | 丙午 | bǐngwǔ | byeongo 병오 |
| Bính Ngọ | Yang Fire Horse | 46 | 15 | 2026 |
44 | 丁未 | dīngwèi | jeongmi 정미 |
| Đinh Mùi | Yin Fire Goat | 47 | 14 | 2027 |
45 | 戊申 | wùshēn | musin 무신 |
| Mậu Thân | Yang Earth Monkey | 48 | 13 | 2028 |
46 | 己酉 | jǐyǒu | giyu 기유 |
| Kỷ Dậu | Yin Earth Rooster | 49 | 12 | 2029 |
47 | 庚戌 | gēngxū | gyeongsul 경술 |
| Canh Tuất | Yang Metal Dog | 50 | 11 | 2030 |
48 | 辛亥 | xīnhài | sinhae 신해 |
| Tân Hợi | Yin Metal Pig | 51 | 10 | 2031 |
49 | 壬子 | rénzǐ | imja 임자 |
| Nhâm Tý | Yang Water Rat | 52 | 9 | 2032 |
50 | 癸丑 | guǐchǒu | gyechuk 계축 |
| Quý Sửu | Yin Water Ox | 53 | 8 | 2033 |
51 | 甲寅 | jiǎyín | gabin 갑인 |
| Giáp Dần | Yang Wood Tiger | 54 | 7 | 2034 |
52 | 乙卯 | yǐmǎo | eulmyo 을묘 |
| Ất Mão | Yin Wood Rabbit | 55 | 6 | 2035 |
53 | 丙辰 | bǐngchén | byeongjin 병진 |
| Bính Thìn | Yang Fire Dragon | 56 | 5 | 2036 |
54 | 丁巳 | dīngsì | jeongsa 정사 |
| Đinh Tỵ | Yin Fire Snake | 57 | 4 | 2037 |
55 | 戊午 | wùwǔ | muo 무오 |
| Mậu Ngọ | Yang Earth Horse | 58 | 3 | 2038 |
56 | 己未 | jǐwèi | gimi 기미 |
| Kỷ Mùi | Yin Earth Goat | 59 | 2 | 2039 |
57 | 庚申 | gēngshēn | gyeongsin 경신 |
| Canh Thân | Yang Metal Monkey | 60 | 1 | 2040 |
58 | 辛酉 | xīnyǒu | sinyu 신유 |
| Tân Dậu | Yin Metal Rooster | 1 | 60 | 2041 |
59 | 壬戌 | rénxū | imsul 임술 |
| Nhâm Tuất | Yang Water Dog | 2 | 59 | 2042 |
60 | 癸亥 | guǐhài | gyehae 계해 |
| Quý Hợi | Yin Water Pig | 3 | 58 | 2043 |
As mentioned above, the cycle first started to be used for indicating years during the Han dynasty, but it also can be used to indicate earlier years retroactively. Since it repeats, by itself it cannot specify a year without some other information, but it is frequently used with the Chinese era name (年号, 年號; niánhào) to specify a year. [15] The year starts with the new year of whoever is using the calendar. In China, the cyclic year normally changes on the Chinese Lunar New Year. In Japan until recently it was the Japanese lunar new year, which was sometimes different from the Chinese; now it is January 1. So when calculating the cyclic year of a date in the Gregorian year, one has to consider what their "new year" is. Hence, the following calculation deals with the Chinese dates after the Lunar New Year in that Gregorian year; to find the corresponding sexagenary year in the dates before the Lunar New Year would require the Gregorian year to be decreased by 1.
As for example, the year 2697 BC (or −2696, using the astronomical year count), traditionally the first year of the reign of the legendary Yellow Emperor, was the first year (甲子; jiǎzǐ) of a cycle. 2700 years later in 4 AD, the duration equivalent to 45 60-year cycles, was also the starting year of a 60-year cycle. Similarly 1980 years later, 1984 was the start of a new cycle.
Thus, to find out the Gregorian year's equivalent in the sexagenary cycle use the appropriate method below.
The result will produce a number between 0 and 59, corresponding to the year order in the cycle; if the remainder is 0, it corresponds to the 60th year of a cycle. Thus, using the first method, the equivalent sexagenary year for 2012 AD is the 29th year (壬辰; rénchén), as (2012–3) mod 60 = 29 (i.e., the remainder of (2012–3) divided by 60 is 29). Using the second, the equivalent sexagenary year for 221 BC is the 17th year (庚辰; gēngchén), as 60- [(221+2) mod 60] = 17 (i.e., 60 minus the remainder of (221+2) divided by 60 is 17).
Step-by-step example to determine the sign for 1967:
Step-by-step example to determine the cyclic year of first year of the reign of Qin Shi Huang (246 BC):
Start from the AD year (1967), take directly the remainder mod 60, and look into column AD of the table "Sexagenary years" (just above).
Remainder is therefore 47 and the AD column says 'Fire Goat' as it should be.
For a BC year: discard the minus sign, take the remainder of the year mod 60 and look into column BC. Applied to year -246, this gives:
When doing these conversions, year 246 BC cannot be treated as −246 AD due to the lack of a year 0 in the Gregorian AD/BC system.
The following tables show recent years (in the Gregorian calendar) and their corresponding years in the cycles:
No. | 1804–1863 | Heavenly stem | Earthly branch | 1864–1923 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Year | (Elements) | (Animals) | Year | |
1 | Feb 11 1804 – Jan 30 1805 | 甲 Yang Wood | 子 Rat | Feb 8 1864 – Jan 26 1865 |
2 | Jan 31 1805 – Feb 17 1806 | 乙 Yin Wood | 丑 Ox | Jan 27 1865 – Feb 14 1866 |
3 | Feb 18 1806 – Feb 6 1807 | 丙 Yang Fire | 寅 Tiger | Feb 15 1866 – Feb 4 1867 |
4 | Feb 7 1807 – Jan 27 1808 | 丁 Yin Fire | 卯 Rabbit | Feb 5 1867 – Jan 24 1868 |
5 | Jan 28 1808 – Feb 14 1809 | 戊 Yang Earth | 辰 Dragon | Jan 25 1868 – Feb 10 1869 |
6 | Feb 15 1809 – Feb 3 1810 | 己 Yin Earth | 巳 Snake | Feb 11 1869 – Jan 31 1870 |
7 | Feb 4 1810 – Jan 24 1811 | 庚 Yang Metal | 午 Horse | Feb 01 1870 – Feb 19 1871 |
8 | Jan 25 1811 – Feb 12 1812 | 辛 Yin Metal | 未 Goat | Feb 20 1871 – Feb 8 1872 |
9 | Feb 13 1812 – Jan 31 1813 | 壬 Yang Water | 申 Monkey | Feb 9 1872 – Jan 28 1873 |
10 | Feb 1 1813 – Jan 20 1814 | 癸 Yin Water | 酉 Rooster | Jan 29 1873 – Feb 16 1874 |
11 | Jan 21 1814 – Feb 8 1815 | 甲 Yang Wood | 戌 Dog | Feb 17 1874 – Feb 5 1875 |
12 | Feb 9 1815 – Jan 28 1816 | 乙 Yin Wood | 亥 Pig | Feb 6 1875 – Jan 25 1876 |
13 | Jan 29 1816 – Feb 15 1817 | 丙 Yang Fire | 子 Rat | Jan 26 1876 – Feb 12 1877 |
14 | Feb 16 1817 – Feb 5 1818 | 丁 Yin Fire | 丑 Ox | Feb 13 1877 – Feb 1 1878 |
15 | Feb 6 1818 – Jan 25 1819 | 戊 Yang Earth | 寅 Tiger | Feb 2 1878 – Jan 22 1879 |
16 | Jan 26 1819 – Feb 13 1820 | 己 Yin Earth | 卯 Rabbit | Jan 23 1879 – Feb 9 1880 |
17 | Feb 14 1820 – Feb 2 1821 | 庚 Yang Metal | 辰 Dragon | Feb 10 1880 – Jan 29 1881 |
18 | Feb 3 1821 – Jan 22 1822 | 辛 Yin Metal | 巳 Snake | Jan 30 1881 – Feb 17 1882 |
19 | Jan 23 1822 – Feb 10 1823 | 壬 Yang Water | 午 Horse | Feb 18 1882 – Feb 7 1883 |
20 | Feb 11 1823 – Jan 30 1824 | 癸 Yin Water | 未 Goat | Feb 8 1883 – Jan 27 1884 |
21 | Jan 31 1824 – Feb 17 1825 | 甲 Yang Wood | 申 Monkey | Jan 28 1884 – Feb 14 1885 |
22 | Feb 18 1825 – Feb 6 1826 | 乙 Yin Wood | 酉 Rooster | Feb 15 1885 – Feb 3 1886 |
23 | Feb 7 1826 – Jan 26 1827 | 丙 Yang Fire | 戌 Dog | Feb 4 1886 – Jan 23 1887 |
24 | Jan 27 1827 – Feb 15 1828 | 丁 Yin Fire | 亥 Pig | Jan 24 1887 – Feb 11 1888 |
25 | Feb 16 1828 – Feb 3 1829 | 戊 Yang Earth | 子 Rat | Feb 12 1888 – Jan 30 1889 |
26 | Feb 4 1829 – Jan 24 1830 | 己 Yin Earth | 丑 Ox | Jan 31 1889 – Jan 20 1890 |
27 | Jan 25 1830 – Feb 12 1831 | 庚 Yang Metal | 寅 Tiger | Jan 21 1890 – Feb 08 1891 |
28 | Feb 13 1831 – Feb 1 1832 | 辛 Yin Metal | 卯 Rabbit | Feb 09 1891 – Jan 29 1892 |
29 | Feb 2 1832 – Feb 19 1833 | 壬 Yang Water | 辰 Dragon | Jan 30 1892 – Feb 16 1893 |
30 | Feb 20 1833 – Feb 8 1834 | 癸 Yin Water | 巳 Snake | Feb 17 1893 – Feb 5 1894 |
31 | Feb 9 1834 – Jan 28 1835 | 甲 Yang Wood | 午 Horse | Feb 6 1894 – Jan 25 1895 |
32 | Jan 29 1835 – Feb 16 1836 | 乙 Yin Wood | 未 Goat | Jan 26 1895 – Feb 12 1896 |
33 | Feb 17 1836 – Feb 5 1837 | 丙 Yang Fire | 申 Monkey | Feb 13 1896 – Feb 01 1897 |
34 | Feb 6 1837 – Jan 25 1838 | 丁 Yin Fire | 酉 Rooster | Feb 02 1897 – Jan 21 1898 |
35 | Jan 26 1838 – Feb 13 1839 | 戊 Yang Earth | 戌 Dog | Jan 22 1898 – Feb 09 1899 |
36 | Feb 14 1839 – Feb 2 1840 | 己 Yin Earth | 亥 Pig | Feb 10 1899 – Jan 30 1900 |
37 | Feb 3 1840 – Jan 22 1841 | 庚 Yang Metal | 子 Rat | Jan 31 1900 – Feb 18 1901 |
38 | Jan 23 1841 – Feb 9 1842 | 辛 Yin Metal | 丑 Ox | Feb 19 1901 – Feb 07 1902 |
39 | Feb 10 1842 – Jan 29 1843 | 壬 Yang Water | 寅 Tiger | Feb 08 1902 – Jan 28 1903 |
40 | Jan 30 1843 – Feb 17 1844 | 癸 Yin Water | 卯 Rabbit | Jan 29 1903 – Feb 15 1904 |
41 | Feb 18 1844 – Feb 6 1845 | 甲 Yang Wood | 辰 Dragon | Feb 16 1904 – Feb 03 1905 |
42 | Feb 7 1845 – Jan 26 1846 | 乙 Yin Wood | 巳 Snake | Feb 04 1905 – Jan 24 1906 |
43 | Jan 27 1846 – Feb 15 1847 | 丙 Yang Fire | 午 Horse | Jan 25 1906 – Feb 12 1907 |
44 | Feb 16 1847 – Feb 4 1848 | 丁 Yin Fire | 未 Goat | Feb 13 1907 – Feb 01 1908 |
45 | Feb 5 1848 – Jan 23 1849 | 戊 Yang Earth | 申 Monkey | Feb 02 1908 – Jan 21 1909 |
46 | Jan 24 1849 – Feb 11 1850 | 己 Yin Earth | 酉 Rooster | Jan 22 1909 – Feb 09 1910 |
47 | Feb 12 1850 – Jan 31 1851 | 庚 Yang Metal | 戌 Dog | Feb 10 1910 – Jan 29 1911 |
48 | Feb 1 1851 – Feb 19 1852 | 辛 Yin Metal | 亥 Pig | Jan 30 1911 – Feb 17 1912 |
49 | Feb 20 1852 – Feb 7 1853 | 壬 Yang Water | 子 Rat | Feb 18 1912 – Feb 05 1913 |
50 | Feb 8 1853 – Jan 28 1854 | 癸 Yin Water | 丑 Ox | Feb 06 1913 – Jan 25 1914 |
51 | Jan 29 1854 – Feb 16 1855 | 甲 Yang Wood | 寅 Tiger | Jan 26 1914 – Feb 13 1915 |
52 | Feb 17 1855 – Feb 6 1856 | 乙 Yin Wood | 卯 Rabbit | Feb 14 1915 – Feb 02 1916 |
53 | Feb 7 1856 – Jan 25 1857 | 丙 Yang Fire | 辰 Dragon | Feb 03 1916 – Jan 22 1917 |
54 | Jan 26 1857 – Feb 13 1858 | 丁 Yin Fire | 巳 Snake | Jan 23 1917 – Feb 10 1918 |
55 | Feb 14 1858 – Feb 2 1859 | 戊 Yang Earth | 午 Horse | Feb 11 1918 – Jan 31 1919 |
56 | Feb 3 1859 – Jan 22 1860 | 己 Yin Earth | 未 Goat | Feb 01 1919 – Feb 19 1920 |
57 | Jan 23 1860 – Feb 9 1861 | 庚 Yang Metal | 申 Monkey | Feb 20 1920 – Feb 07 1921 |
58 | Feb 10 1861 – Jan 29 1862 | 辛 Yin Metal | 酉 Rooster | Feb 08 1921 – Jan 27 1922 |
59 | Jan 30 1862 – Feb 17 1863 | 壬 Yang Water | 戌 Dog | Jan 28 1922 – Feb 15 1923 |
60 | Feb 18 1863 – Feb 7 1864 | 癸 Yin Water | 亥 Pig | Feb 16 1923 – Feb 04 1924 |
No. | 1924–1983 | Heavenly stem | Earthly branch | 1984–2043 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Year | (Elements) | (Animals) | Year | |
1 | Feb 05 1924 – Jan 23 1925 | 甲 Yang Wood | 子 Rat | Feb 02 1984 – Jan 20 1985 |
2 | Jan 24 1925 – Feb 12 1926 | 乙 Yin Wood | 丑 Ox | Jan 21 1985 – Feb 08 1986 |
3 | Feb 13 1926 – Feb 01 1927 | 丙 Yang Fire | 寅 Tiger | Feb 09 1986 – Jan 29 1987 |
4 | Feb 02 1927 – Jan 22 1928 | 丁 Yin Fire | 卯 Rabbit | Jan 30 1987 – Feb 17 1988 |
5 | Jan 23 1928 – Feb 09 1929 | 戊 Yang Earth | 辰 Dragon | Feb 18 1988 – Feb 05 1989 |
6 | Feb 10 1929 – Jan 29 1930 | 己 Yin Earth | 巳 Snake | Feb 06 1989 – Jan 26 1990 |
7 | Jan 30 1930 – Feb 16 1931 | 庚 Yang Metal | 午 Horse | Jan 27 1990 – Feb 14 1991 |
8 | Feb 17 1931 – Feb 06 1932 | 辛 Yin Metal | 未 Goat | Feb 15 1991 – Feb 03 1992 |
9 | Feb 07 1932 – Jan 25 1933 | 壬 Yang Water | 申 Monkey | Feb 04 1992 – Jan 22 1993 |
10 | Jan 26 1933 – Feb 13 1934 | 癸 Yin Water | 酉 Rooster | Jan 23 1993 – Feb 10 1994 |
11 | Feb 14 1934 – Feb 03 1935 | 甲 Yang Wood | 戌 Dog | Feb 11 1994 – Jan 30 1995 |
12 | Feb 04 1935 – Jan 23 1936 | 乙 Yin Wood | 亥 Pig | Jan 31 1995 – Feb 18 1996 |
13 | Jan 24 1936 – Feb 10 1937 | 丙 Yang Fire | 子 Rat | Feb 19 1996 – Feb 06 1997 |
14 | Feb 11 1937 – Jan 30 1938 | 丁 Yin Fire | 丑 Ox | Feb 07 1997 – Jan 27 1998 |
15 | Jan 31 1938 – Feb 18 1939 | 戊 Yang Earth | 寅 Tiger | Jan 28 1998 – Feb 15 1999 |
16 | Feb 19 1939 – Feb 07 1940 | 己 Yin Earth | 卯 Rabbit | Feb 16 1999 – Feb 04 2000 |
17 | Feb 08 1940 – Jan 26 1941 | 庚 Yang Metal | 辰 Dragon | Feb 05 2000 – Jan 23 2001 |
18 | Jan 27 1941 – Feb 14 1942 | 辛 Yin Metal | 巳 Snake | Jan 24 2001 – Feb 11 2002 |
19 | Feb 15 1942 – Feb 04 1943 | 壬 Yang Water | 午 Horse | Feb 12 2002 – Jan 31 2003 |
20 | Feb 05 1943 – Jan 24 1944 | 癸 Yin Water | 未 Goat | Feb 01 2003 – Jan 21 2004 |
21 | Jan 25 1944 – Feb 12 1945 | 甲 Yang Wood | 申 Monkey | Jan 22 2004 – Feb 08 2005 |
22 | Feb 13 1945 – Feb 01 1946 | 乙 Yin Wood | 酉 Rooster | Feb 09 2005 – Jan 29 2006 |
23 | Feb 02 1946 – Jan 21 1947 | 丙 Yang Fire | 戌 Dog | Jan 30 2006 – Feb 17 2007 |
24 | Jan 22 1947 – Feb 09 1948 | 丁 Yin Fire | 亥 Pig | Feb 18 2007 – Feb 06 2008 |
25 | Feb 10 1948 – Jan 28 1949 | 戊 Yang Earth | 子 Rat | Feb 07 2008 – Jan 25 2009 |
26 | Jan 29 1949 – Feb 16 1950 | 己 Yin Earth | 丑 Ox | Jan 26 2009 – Feb 13 2010 |
27 | Feb 17 1950 – Feb 05 1951 | 庚 Yang Metal | 寅 Tiger | Feb 14 2010 – Feb 02 2011 |
28 | Feb 06 1951 – Jan 26 1952 | 辛 Yin Metal | 卯 Rabbit | Feb 03 2011 – Jan 22 2012 |
29 | Jan 27 1952 – Feb 13 1953 | 壬 Yang Water | 辰 Dragon | Jan 23 2012 – Feb 09 2013 |
30 | Feb 14 1953 – Feb 03 1954 | 癸 Yin Water | 巳 Snake | Feb 10 2013 – Jan 30 2014 |
31 | Feb 04 1954 – Jan 23 1955 | 甲 Yang Wood | 午 Horse | Jan 31 2014 – Feb 18 2015 |
32 | Jan 24 1955 – Feb 11 1956 | 乙 Yin Wood | 未 Goat | Feb 19 2015 – Feb 07 2016 |
33 | Feb 12 1956 – Jan 30 1957 | 丙 Yang Fire | 申 Monkey | Feb 08 2016 – Jan 27 2017 |
34 | Jan 31 1957 – Feb 18 1958 | 丁 Yin Fire | 酉 Rooster | Jan 28 2017 – Feb 15 2018 |
35 | Feb 19 1958 – Feb 07 1959 | 戊 Yang Earth | 戌 Dog | Feb 16 2018 – Feb 04 2019 |
36 | Feb 08 1959 – Jan 27 1960 | 己 Yin Earth | 亥 Pig | Feb 05 2019 – Jan 24 2020 |
37 | Jan 28 1960 – Feb 14 1961 | 庚 Yang Metal | 子 Rat | Jan 25 2020 – Feb 11 2021 |
38 | Feb 15 1961 – Feb 04 1962 | 辛 Yin Metal | 丑 Ox | Feb 12 2021 – Jan 31 2022 |
39 | Feb 05 1962 – Jan 25 1963 | 壬 Yang Water | 寅 Tiger | Feb 01 2022 – Jan 21 2023 |
40 | Jan 26 1963 – Feb 12 1964 | 癸 Yin Water | 卯 Rabbit | Jan 22 2023 – Feb 09 2024 |
41 | Feb 13 1964 – Feb 01 1965 | 甲 Yang Wood | 辰 Dragon | Feb 10 2024 – Jan 28 2025 |
42 | Feb 02 1965 – Jan 21 1966 | 乙 Yin Wood | 巳 Snake | Jan 29 2025 – Feb 16 2026 |
43 | Jan 22 1966 – Feb 08 1967 | 丙 Yang Fire | 午 Horse | Feb 17 2026 – Feb 05 2027 |
44 | Feb 09 1967 – Jan 29 1968 | 丁 Yin Fire | 未 Goat | Feb 06 2027 – Jan 25 2028 |
45 | Jan 30 1968 – Feb 16 1969 | 戊 Yang Earth | 申 Monkey | Jan 26 2028 – Feb 12 2029 |
46 | Feb 17 1969 – Feb 05 1970 | 己 Yin Earth | 酉 Rooster | Feb 13 2029 – Feb 02 2030 |
47 | Feb 06 1970 – Jan 26 1971 | 庚 Yang Metal | 戌 Dog | Feb 03 2030 – Jan 22 2031 |
48 | Jan 27 1971 – Feb 14 1972 | 辛 Yin Metal | 亥 Pig | Jan 23 2031 – Feb 10 2032 |
49 | Feb 15 1972 – Feb 02 1973 | 壬 Yang Water | 子 Rat | Feb 11 2032 – Jan 30 2033 |
50 | Feb 03 1973 – Jan 22 1974 | 癸 Yin Water | 丑 Ox | Jan 31 2033 – Feb 18 2034 |
51 | Jan 23 1974 – Feb 10 1975 | 甲 Yang Wood | 寅 Tiger | Feb 19 2034 – Feb 07 2035 |
52 | Feb 11 1975 – Jan 30 1976 | 乙 Yin Wood | 卯 Rabbit | Feb 08 2035 – Jan 27 2036 |
53 | Jan 31 1976 – Feb 17 1977 | 丙 Yang Fire | 辰 Dragon | Jan 28 2036 – Feb 14 2037 |
54 | Feb 18 1977 – Feb 06 1978 | 丁 Yin Fire | 巳 Snake | Feb 15 2037 – Feb 03 2038 |
55 | Feb 07 1978 – Jan 27 1979 | 戊 Yang Earth | 午 Horse | Feb 04 2038 – Jan 23 2039 |
56 | Jan 28 1979 – Feb 15 1980 | 己 Yin Earth | 未 Goat | Jan 24 2039 – Feb 11 2040 |
57 | Feb 16 1980 – Feb 04 1981 | 庚 Yang Metal | 申 Monkey | Feb 12 2040 – Jan 31 2041 |
58 | Feb 05 1981 – Jan 24 1982 | 辛 Yin Metal | 酉 Rooster | Feb 01 2041 – Jan 21 2042 |
59 | Jan 25 1982 – Feb 12 1983 | 壬 Yang Water | 戌 Dog | Jan 22 2042 – Feb 09 2043 |
60 | Feb 13 1983 – Feb 01 1984 | 癸 Yin Water | 亥 Pig | Feb 10 2043 – Jan 29 2044 |
The branches are used marginally to indicate months. Despite there being twelve branches and twelve months in a year, the earliest use of branches to indicate a twelve-fold division of a year was in the 2nd century BC. They were coordinated with the orientations of the Big Dipper, (建子月: jiànzǐyuè, 建丑月: jiànchǒuyuè, etc.). [16] [17] There are two systems of placing these months, the lunar one and the solar one.
One system follows the ordinary Chinese lunar calendar and connects the names of the months directly to the central solar term (中氣; zhōngqì). The jiànzǐyuè ((建)子月) is the month containing the winter solstice (i.e. the 冬至 Dōngzhì) zhōngqì. The jiànchǒuyuè ((建)丑月) is the month of the following zhōngqì, which is Dàhán (大寒), while the jiànyínyuè ((建)寅月) is that of the Yǔshuǐ (雨水) zhōngqì, etc. Intercalary months have the same branch as the preceding month. [18] In the other system (節月; jiéyuè) the "month" lasts for the period of two solar terms (two 氣策qìcì). The zǐyuè (子月) is the period starting with Dàxuě (大雪), i.e. the solar term before the winter solstice. The chǒuyuè (丑月) starts with Xiǎohán (小寒), the term before Dàhán (大寒), while the yínyuè (寅月) starts with Lìchūn (立春), the term before Yǔshuǐ (雨水), etc. Thus in the solar system a month starts anywhere from about 15 days before to 15 days after its lunar counterpart.
The branch names are not usual month names; the main use of the branches for months is astrological. However, the names are sometimes used to indicate historically which (lunar) month was the first month of the year in ancient times. For example, since the Han dynasty, the first month has been jiànyínyuè, but earlier the first month was jiànzǐyuè (during the Zhou dynasty) or jiànchǒuyuè (traditionally during the Shang dynasty) as well. [19]
For astrological purposes stems are also necessary, and the months are named using the sexagenary cycle following a five-year cycle starting in a jiǎ (甲; 1st) or jǐ (己; 6th) year. The first month of the jiǎ or jǐ year is a bǐngyín (丙寅; 3rd) month, the next one is a dīngmǎo (丁卯; 4th) month, etc., and the last month of the year is a dīngchǒu (丁丑, 14th) month. The next year will start with a wùyín (戊寅; 15th) month, etc. following the cycle. The 5th year will end with a yǐchǒu (乙丑; 2nd) month. The following month, the start of a jǐ or jiǎ year, will hence again be a bǐngyín (3rd) month again. The beginning and end of the (solar) months in the table below are the approximate dates of current solar terms; they vary slightly from year to year depending on the leap days of the Gregorian calendar.
Earthly Branches of the certain months | Solar term | Zhongqi (the Middle solar term) | Starts at | Ends at | Names in year of Jia or Ji(甲/己年) | Names in year of Yi or Geng (乙/庚年) | Names in year of Bing or Xin (丙/辛年) | Names in year of Ding or Ren (丁/壬年) | Names in year of Wu or Gui (戊/癸年) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month of Yin (寅月) | Lichun – Jingzhe | Yushui / 雨水 | February 4 | March 6 | Bingyin / 丙寅月 | Wuyin / 戊寅月 | Gengyin / 庚寅月 | Renyin / 壬寅月 | Jiayin / 甲寅月 |
Month of Mao (卯月) | Jingzhe – Qingming | Chunfen / 春分 | March 6 | April 5 | Dingmao / 丁卯月 | Jimao / 己卯月 | Xinmao / 辛卯月 | Guimao / 癸卯月 | Yimao / 乙卯月 |
Month of Chen (辰月) | Qingming – Lixia | Guyu / 谷雨 | April 5 | May 6 | Wuchen / 戊辰月 | Gengchen / 庚辰月 | Renchen / 壬辰月 | Jiachen / 甲辰月 | Bingchen / 丙辰月 |
Month of Si (巳月) | Lixia – Mangzhong | Xiaoman / 小满 | May 6 | June 6 | Jisi / 己巳月 | Xinsi / 辛巳月 | Guisi / 癸巳月 | Yisi / 乙巳月 | Dingsi / 丁巳月 |
Month of Wu (午月) | Mangzhong – Xiaoshu | Xiazhi / 夏至 | June 6 | July 7 | Gengwu / 庚午月 | Renwu / 壬午月 | Jiawu / 甲午月 | Bingwu / 丙午月 | Wuwu / 戊午月 |
Month of Wei (未月) | Xiaoshu – Liqiu | Dashu / 大暑 | July 7 | August 8 | Xinwei / 辛未月 | Guiwei / 癸未月 | Yiwei / 乙未月 | Dingwei / 丁未月 | Jiwei / 己未月 |
Month of Shen (申月) | Liqiu – Bailu | Chushu / 处暑 | August 8 | September 8 | Renshen / 壬申月 | Jiashen / 甲申月 | Bingshen / 丙申月 | Wushen / 戊申月 | Gengshen / 庚申月 |
Month of You (酉月) | Bailu – Hanlu | Qiufen / 秋分 | September 8 | October 8 | Guiyou / 癸酉月 | Yiyou / 乙酉月 | Dingyou / 丁酉月 | Jiyou / 己酉月 | Xinyou / 辛酉月 |
Month of Xu (戌月) | Hanlu – Lidong | Shuangjiang / 霜降 | October 8 | November 7 | Jiaxu / 甲戌月 | Bingxu / 丙戌月 | Wuxu / 戊戌月 | Gengxu / 庚戌月 | Renxu / 壬戌月 |
Month of Hai (亥月) | Lidong – Daxue | Xiaoxue / 小雪 | November 7 | December 7 | Yihai / 乙亥月 | Dinghai / 丁亥月 | Jihai / 己亥月 | Xinhai / 辛亥月 | Guihai / 癸亥月 |
Month of Zi (子月) | Daxue – Xiaohan | Dongzhi / 冬至 | December 7 | January 6 | Bingzi / 丙子月 | Wuzi / 戊子月 | Gengzi / 庚子月 | Renzi / 壬子月 | Jiazi / 甲子月 |
Month of Chou (丑月) | Xiaohan – Lichun | Dahan / 大寒 | January 6 | February 4 | Dingchou / 丁丑月 | Jichou / 己丑月 | Xinchou / 辛丑月 | Guichou / 癸丑月 | Yichou / 乙丑月 |
Day (stem) | Month (stem) | 2-digit year mod 40 (stem) | Century (stem) | N | Century (branch) | 2-digit year mod 16 (branch) | Month (branch) | Day (branch) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Julian mod 2 | Gregorian | Julian mod 4 | Gregorian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
00 | 10 | 20 | 30 | Aug | 00 | 02 | 21 | 23 | 00 | 16 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 07 | Nov | 00 | 12 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||
01 | 11 | 21 | 31 | Sep | Oct | 04 | 06 | 25 | 27 | 21 | 01 | 14 | 01 | 13 | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||
02 | 12 | 22 | Nov | Dec | 08 | 10 | 29 | 31 | 19 | 02 | 16 | 19 | 05 | Feb | Apr | 02 | 14 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||
03 | 13 | 23 | 12 | 14 | 33 | 35 | 03 | 03 | 22 | 03 | 12 | Feb | Jun | 03 | 15 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
04 | 14 | 24 | 16 | 18 | 37 | 39 | 17 | 24 | 04 | 10 | Aug | 04 | 16 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
05 | 15 | 25 | 01 | 03 | 20 | 22 | 01 | 22 | 15 | 05 | 15 | 01 | Oct | 05 | 17 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||
06 | 16 | 26 | 05 | 07 | 24 | 26 | 06 | 02 | 18 | 08 | 15 | Dec | 06 | 18 | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||
07 | 17 | 27 | Mar | Jan | 09 | 11 | 28 | 30 | 20 | 07 | 21 | 06 | Jan | Mar | 07 | 19 | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||
08 | 18 | 28 | Jan | Apr | May | Feb | 13 | 15 | 32 | 34 | 18 | 08 | 24 | 13 | Jan | May | 08 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||
09 | 19 | 29 | Feb | Jun | Jul | 17 | 19 | 36 | 38 | 23 | 09 | 01 | 04 | 11 | Jul | 09 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||
Dates with yellow background indicate they are for this year. | 10 | 17 | 02 | 10 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 20 | 23 | 09 | Sep | 11 | 23 |
The table above allows one to find the stem & branch for any given date. For both the stem and the branch, find the N for the row for the century, year, month, and day, then add them together. If the sum for the stems' N is above 10, subtract 10 until the result is between 1 and 10. If the sum for the branches' N is above 12, subtract 12 until the result is between 1 and 12.
For any date before October 15, 1582, use the Julian century column to find the row for that century's N. For dates after October 15, 1582, use the Gregorian century column to find the century's N. When looking at dates in January and February of leap years, use the bold & italic Feb and Jan.
More detailed examples | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Algorithm for mental calculation
|
Gregorian | 17 24 | 15 22 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 16 | 21 | 19 | Centuries | ||||||||||||||||
Julian | 01 | 00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Dates | Mar Jan | Nov Dec | Sep Oct | Aug | Feb Jun Jul | Jan Apr May Feb | Years of the century | ||||||||||||||||||
01 11 21 31 | 02 12 22 | 03 13 23 | 04 14 24 | 05 15 25 | 06 16 26 | 07 17 27 | 08 18 28 | 09 19 29 | 10 20 30 | ||||||||||||||||
天干 | 甲 | 乙 | 丙 | 丁 | 戊 | 己 | 庚 | 辛 | 壬 | 癸 | |||||||||||||||
Heavenly stems | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | 00 | 02 | 21 | 23 | 40 | 42 | 61 | 63 | 80 | 82 | |||||
B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | A | 04 | 06 | 25 | 27 | 44 | 46 | 65 | 67 | 84 | 86 | ||||||
C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | A | B | 08 | 10 | 29 | 31 | 48 | 50 | 69 | 71 | 88 | 90 | ||||||
D | E | F | G | H | I | J | A | B | C | 12 | 14 | 33 | 35 | 52 | 54 | 73 | 75 | 92 | 94 | ||||||
E | F | G | H | I | J | A | B | C | D | 16 | 18 | 37 | 39 | 56 | 58 | 77 | 79 | 96 | 98 | ||||||
F | G | H | I | J | A | B | C | D | E | 01 | 03 | 20 | 22 | 41 | 43 | 60 | 62 | 81 | 83 | ||||||
G | H | I | J | A | B | C | D | E | F | 05 | 07 | 24 | 26 | 45 | 47 | 64 | 66 | 85 | 87 | ||||||
H | I | J | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | 09 | 11 | 28 | 30 | 49 | 51 | 68 | 70 | 89 | 91 | ||||||
I | J | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | 13 | 15 | 32 | 34 | 53 | 55 | 72 | 74 | 93 | 95 | ||||||
J | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | 17 | 19 | 36 | 38 | 57 | 59 | 76 | 78 | 97 | 99 | ||||||
地支 | 子 | 丑 | 寅 | 卯 | 辰 | 巳 | 午 | 未 | 申 | 酉 | 戌 | 亥 | 干支纪日速查表 | ||||||||||||
Earthly branches | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | 00 | 07 | 16 | 23 | 32 | 39 | 48 | 55 | 64 | 71 | 80 | 87 | 96 |
B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | A | 14 | 30 | 46 | 62 | 78 | 94 | ||||||||
C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | A | B | 05 | 21 | 37 | 53 | 69 | 85 | ||||||||
D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | A | B | C | 03 | 12 | 19 | 28 | 35 | 44 | 51 | 60 | 67 | 76 | 83 | 92 | 99 | |
E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | A | B | C | D | 10 | 26 | 42 | 58 | 74 | 90 | ||||||||
F | G | H | I | J | K | L | A | B | C | D | E | 01 | 17 | 33 | 49 | 65 | 81 | 97 | |||||||
G | H | I | J | K | L | A | B | C | D | E | F | 08 | 15 | 24 | 31 | 40 | 47 | 56 | 63 | 72 | 79 | 88 | 95 | ||
H | I | J | K | L | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | 06 | 22 | 38 | 54 | 70 | 86 | ||||||||
I | J | K | L | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | 13 | 29 | 45 | 61 | 77 | 93 | ||||||||
J | K | L | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | 04 | 11 | 20 | 27 | 36 | 43 | 52 | 59 | 68 | 75 | 84 | 91 | ||
K | L | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | 02 | 18 | 34 | 50 | 66 | 82 | 98 | |||||||
L | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | 09 | 25 | 41 | 57 | 73 | 89 | ||||||||
Dates | 01 13 25 | 02 14 26 | 03 15 27 | 04 16 28 | 05 17 29 | 06 18 30 | 07 19 31 | 08 20 | 09 21 | 10 22 | 11 23 | 12 24 | Years of the century | ||||||||||||
Mar Jan | Dec | Oct | Aug | Feb Jun | Apr Feb | Nov | Sep | Jul | Jan May | ||||||||||||||||
Gregorian | 15 18 | 21 | 24 | 17 | 20 23 | 16 19 | 22 | Centuries | |||||||||||||||||
Julian | 02 | 01 | 00 | 03 |
Stem of the day | Zǐ hour 子时 23:00–1:00 | Chǒu hour 丑时 1:00–3:00 | Yín hour 寅时 3:00–5:00 | Mǎo hour 卯时 5:00–7:00 | Chén hour 辰时 7:00–9:00 | Sì hour 巳时 9:00–11:00 | Wǔ hour 午时 11:00–13:00 | Wèi hour 未时 13:00–15:00 | Shēn hour 申时 15:00–17:00 | Yǒu hour 酉时 17:00–19:00 | Xū hour 戌时 19:00–21:00 | Hài hour 亥时 21:00–23:00 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jia or Ji day (甲/己) | 1 甲子 | 2乙丑 | 3 丙寅 | 4 丁卯 | 5 戊辰 | 6 己巳 | 7 庚午 | 8 辛未 | 9 壬申 | 10 癸酉 | 11 甲戌 | 12 乙亥 |
Yi or Geng day (乙/庚) | 13 丙子 | 14 丁丑 | 15 戊寅 | 16 己卯 | 17 庚辰 | 18 辛巳 | 19 壬午 | 20 癸未 | 21 甲申 | 22 乙酉 | 23 丙戌 | 24 丁亥 |
Bing or Xin day (丙/辛) | 25 戊子 | 26 己丑 | 27 庚寅 | 28 辛卯 | 29 壬辰 | 30 癸巳 | 31 甲午 | 32 乙未 | 33 丙申 | 34 丁酉 | 35 戊戌 | 36 己亥 |
Ding or Ren day (丁/壬) | 37 庚子 | 38 辛丑 | 39 壬寅 | 40 癸卯 | 41 甲辰 | 42 乙巳 | 43 丙午 | 44 丁未 | 45 戊申 | 46 己酉 | 47 庚戌 | 48 辛亥 |
Wu or Gui day (戊/癸) | 49 壬子 | 50 癸丑 | 51 甲寅 | 52 乙卯 | 53 丙辰 | 54 丁巳 | 55 戊午 | 56 己未 | 57 庚申 | 58 辛酉 | 59 壬戌 | 60 癸亥 |
The traditional Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, combining the solar, lunar, and other cycles for various social and agricultural purposes. More recently, in China and Chinese communities the Gregorian calendar has been adopted and adapted in various ways, and is generally the basis for standard civic purposes, though also incorporating traditional lunisolar holidays. Also, there are many types and subtypes of the Chinese calendar, partly reflecting developments in astronomical observation and horology, with over a millennium's worth of history. The major modern form is the Gregorian calendar-based official version of Mainland China, though diaspora versions are also notable in other regions of China and Chinese-influenced cultures; however, aspects of the traditional lunisolar calendar remain popular, including the association of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac in relation to months and years.
Chinese astrology is based on traditional Chinese astronomy and the Chinese calendar. Chinese astrology flourished during the Han dynasty.
The ten Heavenly Stems are a system of ordinals indigenous to China and used throughout East Asia, first attested c. 1250 BCE during the Shang dynasty as the names of the ten days of the week. They were also used in Shang-era rituals in the names of dead family members, who were offered sacrifices on the corresponding day of the Shang week. Stems are no longer used as names for the days of the week, but have acquired many other uses. Most prominently, they have been used in conjunction with the associated set of twelve Earthly Branches in the compound sexagenary cycle, an important feature of historical Chinese calendars.
The snake is the sixth of the twelve-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Snake is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol 巳.
The Earthly Branches are a system of twelve ordered symbols used throughout East Asia. They are indigenous to China, and are themselves Chinese characters, corresponding to words with no concrete meaning other than the associated branch's ordinal position in the list. Cultural applications of the Branches include a dating system known as the sexagenary cycle, as well as astrology. They are associated with the ten Heavenly Stems in Chinese calendars, and in Taoist practice.
The traditional Korean calendar or Dangun calendar is a lunisolar calendar. Dates are calculated from Korea's meridian, and observances and festivals are based in Korean culture.
Cao Rui, courtesy name Yuanzhong, was the second emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. His parentage is in dispute: his mother, Lady Zhen, was Yuan Xi's wife, but she later remarried Cao Pi, the first ruler of Wei. Based on conflicting accounts of his age, Pei Songzhi calculated that, in order to be Cao Pi's son, Cao Rui could not have been 36 when he died as recorded, so the recorded age was in error; late-Qing scholars Lu Bi (卢弼) and Mao Guangsheng (冒广生) argued instead that Cao Rui was Yuan Xi's son.
Li Chéngqián (李承乾), courtesy name Gaoming (高明), formally Prince Min of Hengshan (恆山愍王), was a crown prince of the Chinese Tang dynasty. He was Emperor Taizong's oldest son and first crown prince, but was replaced later by his younger brother Li Zhi.
The Vietnamese calendar is a lunisolar calendar that is mostly based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar. As Vietnam's official calendar has been the Gregorian calendar since 1954, the Vietnamese calendar is used mainly to observe lunisolar holidays and commemorations, such as Tết Nguyên Đán and Tết Trung Thu.
Yu Wenjun, formally Empress Mingmu, was an empress of the Chinese Jin dynasty by marriage to Emperor Ming. She served as regent during the minority of her son Emperor Cheng from 2 November 325 to early March 328, when the capital Jiankang fell to Su Jun and Emperor Cheng became Su's captive.
This Chinese calendar correspondence table shows the stem/branch year names, correspondences to the Western (Gregorian) calendar, and other related information for the current, 79th Sexagenary cycle of the Chinese calendar based on the 2697 BC epoch or the 78th cycle if using the 2637 BC epoch.
The Four Pillars of Destiny, as known as "Ba-Zi", which means "eight characters" or "eight words" in Chinese, is a Chinese astrological concept that a person's destiny or fate can be divined by the two sexagenary cycle characters assigned to their birth year, month, day, and hour. This type of cosmological astrology is also widely used in South Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
Li Cong (李琮), né Li Sizhi (李嗣直), known as Li Tan (李潭) from 725 to 736, posthumously honored Crown Prince Jingde (靖德太子) and then Emperor Fengtian, was an imperial prince of the Chinese Tang dynasty. He was the oldest son of Emperor Xuanzong but, despite that status, was never made crown prince, bypassed in favor of his younger brothers Li Ying and Li Heng. After Li Heng became emperor, he posthumously honored Li Cong as an emperor.
Da Liu Ren is a form of Chinese calendrical astrology dating from the later Warring States period. It is also a member of the Three Styles of divination, along with Qi Men Dun Jia (奇門遁甲) and Taiyi (太乙).
The Jingnan campaign, or Jingnan rebellion, was a three-year civil war from 1399 to 1402 in the early years of the Ming dynasty of China. It occurred between two descendants of the Ming dynasty's founder Zhu Yuanzhang: his grandson Zhu Yunwen by his first son, and Zhu Yuanzhang's fourth son Zhu Di, Prince of Yan. Though Zhu Yunwen had been the chosen crown prince of Zhu Yuanzhang and been made emperor upon the death of his grandfather in 1398, friction began immediately after Yuanzhang's death. Zhu Yunwen began arresting Zhu Yuanzhang's other sons immediately, seeking to decrease their threat. But within a year open military conflict began, and the war continued until the forces of the Prince of Yan captured the imperial capital Nanjing. The fall of Nanjing was followed by the demise of the Jianwen Emperor, Zhu Yunwen. Zhu Di was then crowned the Ming Dynasty's third emperor, the Yongle Emperor.
Li Qing, known as Li Mao (李瑁) from 725 and honored title Prince of Shou (壽王) was a prince of the Tang dynasty. He was the 18th son of Emperor Xuanzong and his mother was Xuanzong's favorite concubine Consort Wu.
Empress Yuan, personal name unknown, was briefly an emperor of the Xianbei-led Chinese Northern Wei dynasty. She bore the surname Yuan, originally Tuoba. Yuan was the only child of Emperor Xiaoming, born to his concubine Consort Pan. Soon after her birth, her grandmother the Empress Dowager Hu, who was also Xiaoming's regent, falsely declared that she was a boy and ordered a general pardon. Emperor Xiaoming died soon afterwards. On 1 April 528, Empress Dowager Hu installed the infant on the throne for a matter of hours before replacing her with Yuan Zhao the next day. Emperor Xiaoming's daughter was not recognised as a legitimate emperor (huangdi) by later generations. No further information about her or her mother is available.
Cao Rui was a prince in the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was a son of Cao Pi, the first emperor of Wei. His mother, whose family name was Pan (潘), was a concubine of Cao Pi holding the rank of shuyuan. He was enfeoffed as the Prince of Yangping County (陽平縣王) in 226 after his half-brother, Cao Rui, succeeded their father as the emperor of Wei. In 232, his title was changed to Prince of Beihai (北海王). He died in 233 and had no offspring.
A Chinese whole character, or whole Chinese character, is a complete Chinese character. It lies at the final level of the stroke-component-character Chinese character composition.
二年……,九月壬寅,大赦,去「乾元大圣光天文武孝感」号,去「上元」号,称元年,以十一月为岁首,月以斗所建辰为名。赐文武官阶、勋、爵,版授侍老官,先授者叙进之。停四京号。
元年建子月癸巳,曹州刺史常休明及史朝义将薛崿战,败之。己亥,朝圣皇天帝于西内。丙午,卫伯玉及史朝义战于永宁,败之。己酉,朝献于太清宫。庚戌,朝享于太庙及元献皇后庙。建丑月辛亥,有事于南郊。己未,来瑱及史朝义战于汝州,败之。乙亥,侯希逸及朝义将李怀仙战于范阳,败之。宝应元年建寅月甲申,追册靖德太子琮为皇帝,妃窦氏为皇后。乙酉,葬王公妃主遇害者。丙戌,盗发敬陵、惠陵。甲辰,李光弼克许州。吐蕃请和。戊申,史朝义陷营州。建卯月辛亥,大赦。赐文武官阶、爵。五品以上清望及郎官、御史荐流人有行业情可矜者。停贡鹰、鹞、狗、豹。以京兆府为上都,河南府为东都,凤翔府为西都,江陵府为南都,太原府为北都。壬子,羌、浑、奴剌寇梁州。癸丑,河东军乱,杀其节度使邓景山,都知兵马使辛云京自称节度使。乙丑,河中军乱,杀李国贞及其节度使荔非元礼。戊辰,淮西节度使王仲升及史朝义将谢钦让战于申州,败绩。庚午,敦子仪知朔方、河中、北庭、潞仪泽沁节度行营,兴平、定国军兵马副元帅。壬申,鄜州刺史成公意及党项战,败之。建辰月壬午,大赦,官吏听纳赃免罪,左降官及流人罚镇效力者还之。甲午,奴剌寇梁州。戊申,萧华罢。户部侍郎元载同中书门下平章事。建巳月庚戌,史朝义寇泽州,刺史李抱玉败之。壬子,楚州献定国宝玉十有三。甲寅,圣皇天帝崩。乙丑,皇太子监国。大赦,改元年为宝应元年,复以正月为岁首,建巳月为四月。丙寅,闲厩使李辅国、飞龙厩副使程元振迁皇后于别殿,杀越王系、兗王亻闲。是夜,皇帝崩于长生殿,年五十二。查《壽星萬年曆》,
唐肅宗之元年
冬至所在月(761.12):初一壬午大雪,十三癸巳,十七冬至,十九己亥,廿五丙午,廿八己酉,廿九庚戌
大寒所在月(762.02):初一辛亥,初三小寒,初九己未,十八大寒,廿五乙亥
雨水所在月(762.03):初一辛巳,初三立春,初四甲申,初五乙酉,初六丙戌,十八雨水,廿四甲辰,廿八戊申
春分所在月(762.3):初一辛亥,初四驚蜇,初二壬子,初三癸丑,十五乙丑,十八戊辰,十九春分,二十庚午,廿一壬申,
穀雨所在月(762.4):初一庚辰,初三壬午,初五清明,十五甲午,二十穀雨,廿九戊申
小滿所在月(762.5):初一庚戌,初三壬子,初五甲寅立夏,初五乙丑,十六丙寅。
大寒所在月初一辛亥,已稱建丑月,初三才小寒
春分所在月初一辛亥,已稱建卯月,初四才驚蜇
穀雨所在月初三壬午,已稱建辰月,初五才清明
小滿所在月初一庚戌、初三壬子,已稱建巳月,初五才立夏
由此可見,唐代地支紀月自朔日始,非自節氣始。