In traditional Chinese metaphysics—spanning feng shui, astrology, and calendar systems—there exists a foundational concept known as the “Ten Heavenly Stems” (十天干, Shí Tiān Gān), often paired with the “Twelve Earthly Branches” (十二地支, Shí’èr Dì Zhī). While their applications are vast and permeate nearly every aspect of Chinese metaphysical systems, this article focuses specifically on the origin of the Heavenly Stems, particularly their connection with ancient astronomy and planetary energetics. Their combined usage—known as the Sexagenary Cycle or Liùshí Jiǎzǐ (六十甲子)—will be introduced in later sections.
“As Above, So Below”: A Cosmic View of Energetic Influence
The Chinese ancients believed in the principle that “images are formed in the heavens, and shapes take form on Earth.” That is, all phenomena on Earth—birth, growth, decay, and rebirth—are guided by energetic fields generated by celestial bodies, particularly those within our solar system.
Among all heavenly bodies, the five visible planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Venus, and Mars—were considered to exert the most influential energetic patterns on Earth. In Chinese cosmology:
The Dance of Yin and Yang in Planetary Motion
Ancient Chinese observers noted that each planet exhibits a visible cycle of rising and falling brightness when viewed from Earth. These cycles were interpreted as symbolic of energetic waxing and waning—rising (yang) when a planet appears to ascend toward its maximum brightness, and falling (yin) when it retreats. Based on these celestial rhythms, ten energetic types were identified and codified as the Ten Heavenly Stems:
| Planet | Yang Phase | Yin Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Jupiter | Jiǎ Mù (甲木) – towering tree, leader’s energy | Yǐ Mù (乙木) – vines, grass, feminine grace |
| Mars | Bǐng Huǒ (丙火) – blazing flame | Dīng Huǒ (丁火) – candlelight |
| Saturn | Wù Tǔ (戊土) – strong earth | Jǐ Tǔ (己土) – soft soil |
| Venus | Gēng Jīn (庚金) – solid metal | Xīn Jīn (辛金) – precious metal |
| Mercury | Rén Shuǐ (壬水) – flowing river | Guǐ Shuǐ (癸水) – mist, dew |
Thus, 5 planets × 2 energetic states = 10 Heavenly Stems.
Modern Reflections: Are Planets Really That Powerful?
Some may find it astonishing that ancient people attributed such immense influence to these planets—after all, modern astronomy tells us that these planets do not emit light or heat themselves. Their brightness comes from reflecting sunlight. So how could they generate Earth’s five elements (wuxing)?
The answer lies in energy fields beyond mere light and heat. Planets, including Earth, reflect sunlight, emit infrared radiation, possess electromagnetic fields, and exert gravitational forces. Each planet has its own rotation and orbital period. Combined, these produce unique informational energy waves, or what could be called bioelectromagnetic signatures. These waves subtly interact with life on Earth.
Ancient Chinese observers associated each planet’s “energy wave” with a specific elemental function:
- Jupiter → wind-like effect → Wood
- Mars → heat → Fire
- Saturn → dampness → Earth
- Venus → dryness → Metal
- Mercury → coldness → Water
This energetic mapping forms the philosophical and astronomical basis of the Heavenly Stems and the Five Elements.
Earth and the Missing Element
If these five planets correspond to the five elements, then where does Earth, the planet we live on, fit in?
Interestingly, the “central” element Earth (土) is traditionally associated with Saturn—even though Saturn is the farthest of the five visible planets. But from a symbolic and energetic perspective, Saturn represents not itself, but rather Earth’s position at the center of the solar system’s life-influencing forces. This insight explains why Earth is not separately namedin the Heavenly Stem system—it is embedded within the logic of the system through Saturn.
The Logic Behind the System: Order, Harmony, and Frequency
Why did the Chinese choose these five specific planets and not others like Uranus or Neptune?
Ancient astronomers knew that the solar system had more than five planets—through observation and philosophical reasoning. However, only these five visibly bright, close-range planets were seen as energetically dominant. From a symbolic point of view, the five planets serve as representatives of all energetic types in the solar system, much like combining like terms in modern algebra.
When viewed from Earth, the five major planets influence us with only part of their total energy—specifically the portion of their energy waves directed toward Earth. These directed waves, when combined with Earth’s own cycles, created repeating patterns that gave birth to the cyclical system of the Ten Heavenly Stems. These cycles manifest in ten-hour, ten-day, ten-month, and ten-year rhythms.
Conclusion: The Lasting Power of the Heavenly Stems
Some may still find it difficult to believe that planetary motion could lead to something as structured as the Ten Heavenly Stems. Even with modern astronomical tools, the deeper dynamics of this system remain mysterious. And yet, the influence of the stems is undeniable—for centuries, they have guided Chinese astrology, feng shui, divination, and calendrical selection.
In future sections, we will explore how these Heavenly Stems interact—how they combine, conflict, nourish, and counteract each other, and how they pair with the Earthly Branches to produce some of the most profound applications in Chinese metaphysical science. To truly understand and apply these ancient systems is to tap into the hidden energy architecture of the cosmos—and one’s own life.
在傳統中國玄學——涵蓋風水、占星術和曆法系統——中存在一個被稱為「十天干」的基本概念，通常與「十二地支」配對使用。雖然它們的應用廣泛且滲透到中國玄學系統的幾乎每個方面，但本文特別關注天干的起源，尤其是它們與古代天文學和行星能量學的聯繫。它們的組合使用——被稱為《六十甲子》——將在後續章節中介紹。
「如其在上，如其在下」：能量影響的宇宙觀
中國古人相信「在天成象，在地成形」的原則。也就是說，地球上所有的現象——出生、成長、衰敗和重生——都是由天體產生的能量場所引導的，特別是在我們太陽系內的那些天體。
在所有天體中，五顆可見行星——木星、土星、水星、金星和火星——被認為對地球施加了最具影響力的能量模式。在中國宇宙觀中：
陰陽在行星運動中的舞蹈
古代中國觀察者注意到，每顆行星從地球觀看時，都表現出可見的亮度升降週期。這些週期被解釋為能量消長的象徵——當行星似乎上升到最大亮度時為上升（陽），當它退卻時為下降（陰）。基於這些天體節奏，識別出十種能量類型並編碼為十天干：
| 行星 | 陽相位 | 陰相位 |
|---|---|---|
| 木星 | 甲木 – 高聳的樹木，領袖能量 | 乙木 – 藤蔓，草，陰柔優雅 |
| 火星 | 丙火 – 熾熱火焰 | 丁火 – 燭光 |
| 土星 | 戊土 – 堅實的土壤 | 己土 – 柔軟的土壤 |
| 金星 | 庚金 – 堅固的金屬 | 辛金 – 珍貴的金屬 |
| 水星 | 壬水 – 流動的河流 | 癸水 – 霧氣，露水 |
因此，5顆行星 × 2種能量狀態 = 10天干。
現代反思：行星真的如此強大嗎？
有些人可能會驚訝於古人將如此巨大的影響力歸因於這些行星——畢竟，現代天文學告訴我們這些行星本身不發光或發熱。它們的亮度來自反射太陽光。那麼它們如何能產生地球上的五行呢？
答案在於能量場，而不僅僅是光和熱。行星，包括地球，反射陽光，發出紅外輻射，擁有電磁場，並施加引力。每顆行星都有自己的自轉和公轉週期。這些結合起來產生了獨特的信息能量波，或者可以稱為生物電磁特徵。這些波微妙地與地球上的生命相互作用。
古代中國觀察者將每顆行星的「能量波」與特定的元素功能相關聯：
- 木星 → 風效應 → 木
- 火星 → 熱 → 火
- 土星 → 濕 → 土
- 金星 → 燥 → 金
- 水星 → 寒 → 水
這種能量映射形成了天干和五行的哲學和天文學基礎。
地球與缺失的元素
如果這五顆行星對應五行，那麼我們居住的地球行星在哪裡？
有趣的是，「中央」元素土傳統上與土星相關——儘管土星是五顆可見行星中最遠的。但從象徵和能量的角度來看，土星代表的不是它自己，而是地球在太陽系生命影響力量中的中心位置。這一見解解釋了為什麼地球沒有在天干系統中單獨命名——它通過土星嵌入在系統的邏輯中。
系統背後的邏輯：秩序、和諧與頻率
為什麼中國人選擇了這五顆特定的行星，而不是像天王星或海王星這樣的其他行星？
古代天文學家知道太陽系有超過五顆行星——通過觀察和哲學推理。然而，只有這五顆可見明亮、近距離的行星被視為能量主導。從象徵的角度來看，這五顆行星作為太陽系中所有能量類型的代表，類似於現代代數中合併同類項。
從地球觀看時，這五顆主要行星僅以其總能量的一部分影響我們——特別是它們指向地球的能量波部分。這些定向波與地球自身的週期相結合，創造了重複的模式，從而誕生了十天干的週期系統。這些週期表現在十小時、十天、十個月和十年的節奏中。
結論：天干的持久力量
有些人可能仍然難以相信行星運動會導致像十天干這樣結構化的東西。即使有現代天文學工具，這個系統的更深層動力學仍然神秘。然而，天干的影響是不可否認的——幾個世紀以來，它們一直指導著中國占星術、風水、占卜和擇日。
在後續章節中，我們將探討這些天干如何相互作用——它們如何結合、衝突、滋養和制約彼此，以及它們如何與地支配對，產生中國玄學科學中一些最深刻的應用。真正理解和應用這些古代系統，就是挖掘宇宙——以及個人生命——的隱藏能量結構。