10 Heavenly Stems - Tian Gan Flashcards
Stem 1 - Name in Chinese
Character
Nature
Meaning
Relates to
GT Movement
Phase relates to
Name - Jia
Character - Root or germ in its protective skin; bud in its protective shell, on the point of breaking out.
Nature - Fir or pine tree; symbol of coming out and growth
Meaning - Yang moves in the East; to sprout seeds from the winter
Relates to - Wood in the Yang phase
GB
Spring
East
GT Movement - GB in Earth
The generating phase is related to Yuan
Stem 2 - Name in Chinese
Character
Nature
Meaning
Relates to
GT Movement
Phase relates to
Name - Yi
Character - Shoot leaving the skin/shell
Nature - Bamboo (grows very fast and strong)
Meaning - Twisted plant or twig
Relates to - Wood in the Yin phase
LIV
Spring
East
GT Movement - LIV in Metal
The generating phase is related to Yuan
Stem 3 - Name in Chinese
Character
Nature
Meaning
Relates to
GT Movement
Phase relates to
Name - Bing
Character - Fire in the house; concentration/housing of the power of fire
Nature - Flame of a wooden torch
Meaning - Flower, blossoming
Relates to - Fire in the Yang phase
SI
Summer
South
GT Movement - SI in Water
The phase of expansion is related to Heng
Stem 4 - Name in Chinese
Character
Nature
Meaning
Relates to
GT Movement
Phase relates to
Name - Ding
Character - Sting of a bee or a nail is a combination of fire and the material from which it is made (without fire nothing can burn, nothing can exist)
Nature - Flame of an oil lamp
Meaning - Vegetation in the wet season
Relates to - Fire in the Yin phase
HT
Summer
South
GT Movement - HT in Wood
The phase of expansion is related to Heng
Stem 5 - Name in Chinese
Character
Nature
Meaning
Relates to
GT Movement
Phase relates to
Name - Wu
Character - Hand holding cutting instrument; harvesting
Nature - Mountains, hills
Meaning - Abundance; at this moment the end of life begins; from the top of the hill you only go down; end of yang phase
Relates to - Earth in the Yang phase
ST
Late Summer
Centre
GT Movement - ST in Fire
The phase of the harmonising symbol relates to Qian
Stem 6 - Name in Chinese
Character
Nature
Meaning
Relates to
GT Movement
Phase relates to
Name - Ji
Character - Thread of warp and woof used in weaving; sign of full blossoming
Nature - Flat, level plain
Meaning - Abundance; making a connection to the winter/hibernation; beginning of the yin phase
Relates to - Earth in the Yin phase
Sp
Late Summer
Centre
GT Movement - SP in Earth
The phase of the harmonising symbol relates to Qian
Stem 7 - Name in Chinese
Character
Nature
Meaning
Relates to
GT Movement
Phase relates to
Name - Geng
Character - Two hands holding and moving something; movement used in threshing rice; harvesting/gathering
Nature - Metal, weapons
Meaning - Fullness of vegetation; crop; fruit
Relates to - Metal in the Yang phase
CO
Autumn
West
GT Movement - Co in Metal
The phase of introversion relates to Li
Stem 8 - Name in Chinese
Character
Nature
Meaning
Relates to
GT Movement
Phase relates to
Name - Xin
Character - Attack, punishment; time for death penalities
Nature - Kettle; cooking pan
Meaning - Ripe fruit which tastes like metal; punishment is needed to protect the harvest; brings peace/stillness - beneficial force
Relates to - Metal in the Yin phase
LU
Autumn
West
GT Movement - LU in Water
The phase of introversion relates to Li
Stem 9 - Name in Chinese
Character
Nature
Meaning
Relates to
GT Movement
Phase relates to
Name - Ren
Character - Man carrying a yoke on his shoulders, fatigued by his troubles; also time of conception (hidden beginning)
Nature - Waves, swell
Meaning - Yin at its peak
Relates to - Water in the Yang phase
BL
Winter
North
GT Movement - BL in Wood
The retreating phase relates to zhen
Stem 10 - Name in Chinese
Character
Nature
Meaning
Relates to
GT Movement
Phase relates to
Name - Gui
Character - Grass mats on which offerings are placed; give thanks for the past
Nature - Ripple-less stream
Meaning - When water is absorbed by the earth yang prepares itself for springtime; look back and give thanks; everything that will be created is still enclosed and protected
Relates to - Water in the Yin phase
KI
Winter
North
GT Movement - KI in Fire
The retreating phase relates to zhen
