Earthly Branches

The 12 Earthly Branches (地支 Dì Zhī) each correspond to one Chinese zodiac animal and carry specific elemental and energetic qualities: Zi (Rat/Water), Chǒu (Ox/Earth), Yín (Tiger/Wood), Mǎo (Rabbit/Wood), Chén (Dragon/Earth), Sì (Snake/Fire), Wǔ (Horse/Fire), Wèi (Goat/Earth), Shēn (Monkey/Metal), Yǒu (Rooster/Metal), Xū (Dog/Earth), Hài (Pig/Water). Each branch also contains hidden Heavenly Stems (Zang Gan) that add further elemental depth.