BaZi Reference Library

The Ten Heavenly Stems: Elements, Yin-Yang, and Pronunciation

A quick reference for Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui.

The Ten Heavenly Stems are the visible top row of the Four Pillars. Each Stem combines one of the Five Elements with a yin or yang quality.

• Jia 甲: Yang Wood
• Yi 乙: Yin Wood
• Bing 丙: Yang Fire
• Ding 丁: Yin Fire
• Wu 戊: Yang Earth
• Ji 己: Yin Earth
• Geng 庚: Yang Metal
• Xin 辛: Yin Metal
• Ren 壬: Yang Water
• Gui 癸: Yin Water

The Heavenly Stem of the Day Pillar is called the Day Master. The other Stems are classified in relation to it through the Five Elements and yin-yang polarity, producing the Ten Gods labels.

Natural images often help with memory, but they are not fixed personality descriptions. Jia may be compared with a tree and Ding with a lamp, for example, yet chart meaning still depends on season, roots, surrounding elements, and timing.