Chinese zodiac elements and the sixty-year cycle

The stems and their elements

A yang stem always pairs with a yang branch and a yin stem with a yin branch, which is why only sixty of the 120 possible combinations exist. The Rat, a yang branch, can be Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water Rat, but always with a yang stem.

The two cycles of the elements

Tradition links the five elements in two cycles. In the generating cycle, Wood feeds Fire, Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal carries Water and Water nourishes Wood. In the restraining cycle, Wood parts Earth, Earth dams Water, Water puts out Fire, Fire melts Metal and Metal cuts Wood. These cycles organize Chinese medicine, geomancy and astrology; on this site they only explain how the compatibility tool reads two elements.

The benming year

The year of one's own animal comes back every twelve years and is called benming nian. Custom holds that it brings trouble because one offends Tai Sui, the god of the year, and the usual protection is to wear red: socks, underwear, a belt or a red string, often a gift from parents or a spouse. The tool above finds your next benming year and your traditional age. In 2026 it is the turn of Horse people; in 2027, of Goat people.

The sixty names of the cycle