The ten heavenly stems and their common yin-yang correspondences

The ten heavenly stems, in order, are Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren and Gui. Common traditional correspondences are: Jia—yang wood, Yi—yin wood; Bing—yang fire, Ding—yin fire; Wu—yang earth, Ji—yin earth; Geng—yang metal, Xin—yin metal; Ren—yang water, Gui—yin water.

The stems pair in sequence with earthly branches to record days, years and other periods. If someone is described as “wood,” specify whether this is based on the day stem, year stem, nayin or another system; these are not the same concept. Stem correspondences help explain historical timekeeping and classification, but alone cannot determine personality, career or lifelong fortune.

Introductory cultural reference, not personal fortune-telling, medical or investment advice. Symbolism expresses a wish, not a guaranteed effect.