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Sexagenary cycle

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Sexagenary cycle
Chinese六十干支
Literal meaningsixty stem branch
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinliùshí gānzhī
IPA[ljôʊ.ʂǐ kán.ʈʂí]
Alternative Chinese name
Chinese干支
Literal meaningstem branch
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyingānzhī
IPA[kán.ʈʂí]

The sexagenary cycle, also known as the ganzhi or stems-and-branches is a cycle of sixty terms, each corresponding to one year, thus a total of sixty years for one cycle, historically used for recording time in China and the rest of the East Asian cultural sphere and Southeast Asia.[1] It appears as a means of recording days in the first Chinese written texts, the oracle bones of the late second millennium BC Shang dynasty. Its use to record years began around the middle of the 3rd century BC.[2] The cycle and its variations have been an important part of the traditional calendrical systems in Chinese-influenced Asian states and territories, particularly those of Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, with the old Chinese system still in use in Taiwan, and in Mainland China.[3] In India, the Ahom people (descendants of the Dai people of Yunnan who migrated to Assam in the 13th century) also used the sexagenary cycle known as Lak-Ni.[4][5]

This traditional method of numbering days and years no longer has any significant role in modern Chinese time-keeping or the official calendar. However, the sexagenary cycle is used in the names of many historical events, such as the Chinese Xinhai Revolution, the Japanese Boshin War, the Korean Imjin War and the Vietnamese Famine of Ất Dậu, Tết Mậu Thân. It also continues to have a role in contemporary Chinese astrology and fortune telling. There are some parallels in this with Tamil calendar.

Overview

[edit]
Sexagenary cycle
1
Wood Rat
2
Wood Ox [ja]
3
Fire Tiger [ja]
4
Fire Rabbit [ja]
5
Earth Dragon
6
Earth Snake [ja]
7
Metal Horse [ja]
8
Metal Goat [ja]
9
Water Monkey [ja]
10
Water Rooster [ja]
11
Wood Dog [ja]
12
Wood Pig [ja]
13
Fire Rat [ja]
14
Fire Ox [ja]
15
Earth Tiger [ja]
16
Earth Rabbit [ja]
17
Metal Dragon [ja]
18
Metal Snake [ja]
19
Water Horse [ja]
20
Water Goat [ja]
21
Wood Monkey [ja]
22
Wood Rooster [ja]
23
Fire Dog [ja]
24
Fire Pig [ja]
25
Earth Rat [ja]
26
Earth Ox [ja]
27
Metal Tiger [ja]
28
Metal Rabbit [ja]
29
Water Dragon [ja]
30
Water Snake [ja]
31
Wood Horse [ja]
32
Wood Goat [ja]
33
Fire Monkey [ja]
34
Fire Rooster [ja]
35
Earth Dog [ja]
36
Earth Pig [ja]
37
Metal Rat [ja]
38
Metal Ox [ja]
39
Water Tiger [ja]
40
Water Rabbit [ja]
41
Wood Dragon [ja]
42
Wood Snake [ja]
43
Fire Horse
44
Fire Goat [ja]
45
Earth Monkey [ja]
46
Earth Rooster [ja]
47
Metal Dog [ja]
48
Metal Pig [ja]
49
Water Rat [ja]
50
Water Ox [ja]
51
Wood Tiger [ja]
52
Wood Rabbit [ja]
53
Fire Dragon [ja]
54
Fire Snake [ja]
55
Earth Horse [ja]
56
Earth Goat [ja]
57
Metal Monkey
58
Metal Rooster
59
Water Dog [ja]
60
Water Pig [ja]
Heavenly StemsEarthly Branches
Statues of Tai Sui deities responsible for individual years of the sexagenary cycle

Each term in the sexagenary cycle consists of two Chinese characters, the first being one of the ten Heavenly Stems of the Shang-era week and the second being one of the twelve Earthly Branches representing the years of Jupiter's duodecennial orbital cycle. The first term jiǎzǐ (甲子) combines the first heavenly stem with the first earthly branch. The second term yǐchǒu (乙丑) combines the second stem with the second branch. This pattern continues until both cycles conclude simultaneously with guǐhài (癸亥), after which it begins again at jiǎzǐ. This termination at ten and twelve's least common multiple leaves half of the combinations—such as jiǎchǒu (甲丑)—unused; this is traditionally explained by reference to pairing the stems and branches according to their yin and yang properties.

This combination of two sub-cycles to generate a larger cycle and its use to record time have parallels in other calendrical systems, notably the Akan calendar.[6]

History

[edit]
Bone inscribed with a table of the sexagenary cycle, dated to the early 11th century BC

The sexagenary cycle is attested as a method of recording days from the earliest written records in China, records of divination on oracle bones, beginning c. 1100 BC.[7] Almost every oracle bone inscription includes a date in this format. This use of the cycle for days is attested throughout the Zhou dynasty and remained common into the Han period for all documentary purposes that required dates specified to the day.

Almost all the dates in the Spring and Autumn Annals, a chronological list of events from 722 to 481 BC, use this system in combination with regnal years and months (lunations) to record dates. Eclipses recorded in the Annals demonstrate that continuity in the sexagenary day-count was unbroken from that period onwards. It is likely that this unbroken continuity went back still further to the first appearance of the sexagenary cycle during the Shang period.[8]

The use of the sexagenary cycle for recording years is much more recent. The earliest discovered documents showing this usage are among the silk manuscripts recovered from Mawangdui tomb 3, sealed in 168 BC. In one of these documents, a sexagenary grid diagram is annotated in three places to mark notable events. For example, the first year of the reign of Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇), 246 BC, is noted on the diagram next to the position of the 60-cycle term yǐmǎo (乙卯, 52 of 60), corresponding to that year.[9] [10] Use of the cycle to record years became widespread for administrative time-keeping during the Western Han dynasty (202 BC – 8 AD). The count of years has continued uninterrupted ever since:[11] the year 1984 began the present cycle (a 甲子jiǎzǐ year), and 2044 will begin another. Note that in China the new year, when the sexagenary count increments, is not January 1, but rather the lunar new year of the traditional Chinese calendar. For example, the jichou 己丑 year (coinciding roughly with 2009) began on January 26, 2009. (However, for astrology, the year begins with the first solar term "Lìchūn" (立春), which occurs near February 4.)

In Japan, according to Nihon shoki, the calendar was transmitted to Japan in 553. But it was not until the Suiko era that the calendar was used for politics. The year 604, when the Japanese officially adopted the Chinese calendar, was the first year of the cycle.[12]

The Korean (환갑; 還甲 hwangap) and Japanese tradition (還暦 kanreki) of celebrating the 60th birthday (literally 'return of calendar') reflects the influence of the sexagenary cycle as a count of years.[13]

The Tibetan calendar also counts years using a 60-year cycle based on 12 animals and 5 elements, but while the first year of the Chinese cycle is always jiǎzǐ (the year of the Wood Rat), the first year of the Tibetan cycle is dīngmǎo (丁卯; year 4 on the Chinese cycle, year of the Fire Rabbit).[14]

Heavenly Stems

[edit]
No. Heavenly Stem Ahom Name Chinese
name
Japanese
name
Korean
name
Vietnamese
name
Yin Yang Wu Xing
Mandarin
(Pinyin)
Cantonese
(Jyutping)
Middle Chinese
(Baxter)
Old Chinese
(Baxter–Sagart)
Onyomi Kunyomi with
corresponding kanji
Romanized Hangul
1 kap jiǎ gaap3 kæp *[k]ˤr[a]p kō (こう) kinoe (木の兄) gap giáp yang wood
2 dap jyut3 ʔit *qrət otsu (おつ) kinoto (木の弟) eul ất yin
3 rai bǐng bing2 pjængX *praŋʔ hei (へい) hinoe (火の兄) byeong bính yang fire
4 Mueang dīng ding1 teng *tˤeŋ tei (てい) hinoto (火の弟) jeong đinh yin
5 plaek mou6 muwH *m(r)uʔ-s (~ *m(r)uʔ) bo () tsuchinoe (土の兄) mu mậu yang earth
6 kat gei2 kiX *k(r)əʔ ki () tsuchinoto (土の弟) gi kỷ yin
7 khut gēng gang1 kæng *kˤraŋ kō (こう) kanoe (金の兄) gyeong canh yang metal
8 rung xīn san1 sin *si[n] shin (しん) kanoto (金の弟) sin tân yin
9 tao rén jam4 nyim *n[ə]m jin (じん) mizunoe (水の兄) im nhâm yang water
10 ka guǐ gwai3 kjwijX *kʷijʔ ki () mizunoto (水の弟) gye quý yin

Earthly Branches

[edit]
No. Earthly Branch Chinese
name
Japanese
name
Korean
name
Vietnamese
name
Vietnamese
zodiac
Chinese
zodiac
Corresponding
hours
Mandarin
(Pinyin)
Cantonese
(Jyutping)
Middle Chinese
(Baxter)
Old Chinese
(Baxter–Sagart)
Onyomi Kunyomi Romanized Hangul
1 zi2 tsiX *[ts]əʔ shi () ne (ね) ja Rat (chuột 𤝞) Rat () 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
2 chǒu cau2 trhjuwX *[n̥]ruʔ chū (ちゅう) ushi (うし) chuk sửu Water buffalo (trâu 𤛠) Ox () 1 to 3 a.m.
3 yín jan4 yij *[ɢ](r)ər in (いん) tora (とら) in dần Tiger (hổ /cọp 𧲫) Tiger () 3 to 5 a.m.
4 mǎo maau5 mæwX *mˤruʔ bō (ぼう) u () myo mão/mẹo Cat (mèo ) Rabbit () 5 to 7 a.m.
5 chén san4 dzyin *[d]ər shin (しん) tatsu (たつ) jin thìn Dragon (rồng ) Dragon () 7 to 9 a.m.
6 zi6 ziX *s-[ɢ]əʔ shi () mi () sa tỵ Snake (rắn 𧋻) Snake () 9 to 11 a.m.
7 ng5 nguX *[m].qʰˤaʔ go () uma (うま) o ngọ Horse (ngựa ) Horse () 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
8 wèi mei6 mjɨjH *m[ə]t-s mi () or bi () hitsuji (ひつじ) mi mùi Goat ( ) Goat () 1 to 3 p.m.
9 shēn san1 syin *l̥i[n] shin (しん) saru (さる) sin thân Monkey (khỉ 𤠳) Monkey () 3 to 5 p.m.
10 yǒu jau5 yuwX *N-ruʔ yū (ゆう) tori (とり) yu dậu Rooster ( 𪂮) Rooster () 5 to 7 p.m.
11 seot1 swit *s.mi[t] jutsu (じゅつ) inu (いぬ) sul tuất Dog (chó ) Dog () 7 to 9 p.m.
12 hài hoi6 hojX *[g]ˤəʔ gai (がい) i () hae hợi Pig (lợn 𤞼/heo ) Pig () 9 to 11 p.m.

*The names of several animals can be translated into English in several different ways. The Vietnamese Earthly Branches use cat instead of Rabbit.

Sexagenary years

[edit]
No. Stem-Branch Mandarin Chinese Pinyin Korean Japanese Vietnamese Associations AD BC Current Cycle
1 甲子 jiǎzǐ gapja 갑자
  • kōshi
  • kasshi
  • kinoe-ne
Giáp Tý Yang Wood Rat 4 57 1984
2 乙丑 yǐchǒu eulchuk 을축
  • itchū
  • kinoto-ushi
Ất Sửu Yin Wood Ox 5 56 1985
3 丙寅 bǐngyín byeongin 병인
  • heiin
  • hinoe-tora
Bính Dần Yang Fire Tiger 6 55 1986
4 丁卯 dīngmǎo jeongmyo 정묘
  • teibō
  • hinoto-u
Đinh Mão Yin Fire Rabbit 7 54 1987
5 戊辰 wùchén mujin 무진
  • boshin
  • tsuchinoe-tatsu
Mậu Thìn Yang Earth Dragon 8 53 1988
6 己巳 jǐsì gisa 기사
  • kishi
  • tsuchinoto-mi
Kỷ Tỵ Yin Earth Snake 9 52 1989
7 庚午 gēngwǔ gyeongo 경오
  • kōgo
  • kanoe-uma
Canh Ngọ Yang Metal Horse 10 51 1990
8 辛未 xīnwèi sinmi 신미
  • shinbi
  • kanoto-hitsuji
Tân Mùi Yin Metal Goat 11 50 1991
9 壬申 rénshēn imsin 임신
  • jinshin
  • mizunoe-saru
Nhâm Thân Yang Water Monkey 12 49 1992
10 癸酉 guǐyǒu gyeyu 계유
  • kiyū
  • mizunoto-tori
Quý Dậu Yin Water Rooster 13 48 1993
11 甲戌 jiǎxū gapsul 갑술
  • kōjutsu
  • kinoe-inu
Giáp Tuất Yang Wood Dog 14 47 1994
12 乙亥 yǐhài eulhae 을해
  • itsugai
  • kinoto-i
Ât Hợi Yin Wood Pig 15 46 1995
13 丙子 bǐngzǐ byeongja 병자
  • heishi
  • hinoe-ne
Bính Tý Yang Fire Rat 16 45 1996
14 丁丑 dīngchǒu jeongchuk 정축
  • teichū
  • hinoto-ushi
Đinh Sửu Yin Fire Ox 17 44 1997
15 戊寅 wùyín muin 무인
  • boin
  • tsuchinoe-tora
Mậu Dần Yang Earth Tiger 18 43 1998
16 己卯 jǐmǎo gimyo 기묘
  • kibō
  • tsuchinoto-u
Kỷ Mão Yin Earth Rabbit 19 42 1999
17 庚辰 gēngchén gyeongjin 경진
  • kōshin
  • kanoe-tatsu
Canh Thìn Yang Metal Dragon 20 41 2000
18 辛巳 xīnsì sinsa 신사
  • shinshi
  • kanoto-mi
Tân Tỵ Yin Metal Snake 21 40 2001
19 壬午 rénwǔ imo 임오
  • jingo
  • mizunoe-uma
Nhâm Ngọ Yang Water Horse 22 39 2002
20 癸未 guǐwèi gyemi 계미
  • kibi
  • mizunoto-hitsuji
Quý Mùi Yin Water Goat 23 38 2003
21 甲申 jiǎshēn gapsin 갑신
  • kōshin
  • kinoe-saru
Giáp Thân Yang Wood Monkey 24 37 2004
22 乙酉 yǐyǒu euryu 을유
  • itsuyū
  • kinoto-tori
Ất Dậu Yin Wood Rooster 25 36 2005
23 丙戌 bǐngxū byeongsul 병술
  • heijutsu
  • hinoe-inu
Bính Tuất Yang Fire Dog 26 35 2006
24 丁亥 dīnghài jeonghae 정해
  • teigai
  • hinoto-i
Đinh Hợi Yin Fire Pig 27 34 2007
25 戊子 wùzǐ muja 무자
  • boshi
  • tsuchinoe-ne
Mậu Tý Yang Earth Rat 28 33 2008
26 己丑 jǐchǒu gichuk 기축
  • kichū
  • tsuchinoto-ushi
Kỷ Sửu Yin Earth Ox 29 32 2009
27 庚寅 gēngyín gyeongin 경인
  • kōin
  • kanoe-tora
Canh Dần Yang Metal Tiger 30 31 2010
28 辛卯 xīnmǎo sinmyo 신묘
  • shinbō
  • kanoto-u
Tân Mão Yin Metal Rabbit 31 30 2011
29 壬辰 rénchén imjin 임진
  • jinshin
  • mizunoe-tatsu
Nhâm Thìn Yang Water Dragon 32 29 2012
30 癸巳 guǐsì gyesa 계사
  • kishi
  • mizunoto-mi
Quý Tỵ Yin Water Snake 33 28 2013
31 甲午 jiǎwǔ gabo 갑오
  • kōgo
  • kinoe-uma
Giáp Ngọ Yang Wood Horse 34 27 2014
32 乙未 yǐwèi eulmi 을미
  • itsubi
  • kinoto-hitsuji
Ất Mùi Yin Wood Goat 35 26 2015
33 丙申 bǐngshēn byeongsin 병신
  • heishin
  • hinoe-saru
Bính Thân Yang Fire Monkey 36 25 2016
34 丁酉 dīngyǒu jeongyu 정유
  • teiyū
  • hinoto-tori
Đinh Dậu Yin Fire Rooster 37 24 2017
35 戊戌 wùxū musul 무술
  • bojutsu
  • tsuchinoe-inu
Mậu Tuất Yang Earth Dog 38 23 2018
36 己亥 jǐhài gihae 기해
  • kigai
  • tsuchinoto-i
Kỷ Hợi Yin Earth Pig 39 22 2019
37 庚子 gēngzǐ gyeongja 경자
  • kōshi
  • kanoe-ne
Canh Tý Yang Metal Rat 40 21 2020
38 辛丑 xīnchǒu sinchuk 신축
  • shinchū
  • kanoto-ushi
Tân Sửu Yin Metal Ox 41 20 2021
39 壬寅 rényín imin 임인
  • jin'in
  • mizunoe-tora
Nhâm Dần Yang Water Tiger 42 19 2022
40 癸卯 guǐmǎo gyemyo 계묘
  • kibō
  • mizunoto-u
Quý Mão Yin Water Rabbit 43 18 2023
41 甲辰 jiǎchén gapjin 갑진
  • kōshin
  • kinoe-tatsu
Giáp Thìn Yang Wood Dragon 44 17 2024
42 乙巳 yǐsì eulsa 을사
  • itsushi
  • kinoto-mi
Ất Tỵ Yin Wood Snake 45 16 2025
43 丙午 bǐngwǔ byeongo 병오 Bính Ngọ Yang Fire Horse 46 15 2026
44 丁未 dīngwèi jeongmi 정미
  • teibi
  • hinoto-hitsuji
Đinh Mùi Yin Fire Goat 47 14 2027
45 戊申 wùshēn musin 무신
  • boshin
  • tsuchinoe-saru
Mậu Thân Yang Earth Monkey 48 13 2028
46 己酉 jǐyǒu giyu 기유
  • kiyū
  • tsuchinoto-tori
Kỷ Dậu Yin Earth Rooster 49 12 2029
47 庚戌 gēngxū gyeongsul 경술
  • kōjutsu
  • kanoe-inu
Canh Tuất Yang Metal Dog 50 11 2030
48 辛亥 xīnhài sinhae 신해
  • shingai
  • kanoto-i
Tân Hợi Yin Metal Pig 51 10 2031
49 壬子 rénzǐ imja 임자
  • jinshi
  • mizunoe-ne
Nhâm Tý Yang Water Rat 52 9 2032
50 癸丑 guǐchǒu gyechuk 계축
  • kichū
  • mizunoto-ushi
Quý Sửu Yin Water Ox 53 8 2033
51 甲寅 jiǎyín gabin 갑인
  • kōin
  • kinoe-tora
Giáp Dần Yang Wood Tiger 54 7 2034
52 乙卯 yǐmǎo eulmyo 을묘
  • itsubō
  • kinoto-u
Ất Mão Yin Wood Rabbit 55 6 2035
53 丙辰 bǐngchén byeongjin 병진
  • heishin
  • hinoe-tatsu
Bính Thìn Yang Fire Dragon 56 5 2036
54 丁巳 dīngsì jeongsa 정사
  • teishi
  • hinoto-mi
Đinh Tỵ Yin Fire Snake 57 4 2037
55 戊午 wùwǔ muo 무오
  • bogo
  • tsuchinoe-uma
Mậu Ngọ Yang Earth Horse 58 3 2038
56 己未 jǐwèi gimi 기미
  • kibi
  • tsuchinoto-hitsuji
Kỷ Mùi Yin Earth Goat 59 2 2039
57 庚申 gēngshēn gyeongsin 경신
  • kōshin
  • kanoe-saru
Canh Thân Yang Metal Monkey 60 1 2040
58 辛酉 xīnyǒu sinyu 신유
  • shin'yū
  • kanoto-tori
Tân Dậu Yin Metal Rooster 1 60 2041
59 壬戌 rénxū imsul 임술
  • jinjutsu
  • mizunoe-inu
Nhâm Tuất Yang Water Dog 2 59 2042
60 癸亥 guǐhài gyehae 계해
  • kigai
  • mizunoto-i
Quý Hợi Yin Water Pig 3 58 2043
24 cardinal directions

Conversion between cyclic years and Western years

[edit]
Relationship between sexagenary cycle and recent Common Era years

As mentioned above, the cycle first started to be used for indicating years during the Han dynasty, but it also can be used to indicate earlier years retroactively. Since it repeats, by itself it cannot specify a year without some other information, but it is frequently used with the Chinese era name (年号, 年號; niánhào) to specify a year.[15] The year starts with the new year of whoever is using the calendar. In China, the cyclic year normally changes on the Chinese Lunar New Year. In Japan until recently it was the Japanese lunar new year, which was sometimes different from the Chinese; now it is January 1. So when calculating the cyclic year of a date in the Gregorian year, one has to consider what their "new year" is. Hence, the following calculation deals with the Chinese dates after the Lunar New Year in that Gregorian year; to find the corresponding sexagenary year in the dates before the Lunar New Year would require the Gregorian year to be decreased by 1.

As for example, the year 2697 BC (or −2696, using the astronomical year count), traditionally the first year of the reign of the legendary Yellow Emperor, was the first year (甲子; jiǎzǐ) of a cycle. 2700 years later in 4 AD, the duration equivalent to 45 60-year cycles, was also the starting year of a 60-year cycle. Similarly 1980 years later, 1984 was the start of a new cycle.

Thus, to find out the Gregorian year's equivalent in the sexagenary cycle use the appropriate method below.

  1. For any year number greater than 4 AD, the equivalent sexagenary year can be found by subtracting 3 from the Gregorian year, dividing by 60 and taking the remainder. See example below.
  2. For any year before 1 AD, the equivalent sexagenary year can be found by adding 2 to the Gregorian year number (in BC), dividing it by 60, and subtracting the remainder from 60.
  3. 1 AD, 2 AD and 3 AD correspond respectively to the 58th, 59th and 60th years of the sexagenary cycle.
  4. The formula for years AD is (year – 3) mod 60 and for years BC is (year + 2) mod 60.

The result will produce a number between 0 and 59, corresponding to the year order in the cycle; if the remainder is 0, it corresponds to the 60th year of a cycle. Thus, using the first method, the equivalent sexagenary year for 2012 AD is the 29th year (壬辰; rénchén), as (2012–3) mod 60 = 29 (i.e., the remainder of (2012–3) divided by 60 is 29). Using the second, the equivalent sexagenary year for 221 BC is the 17th year (庚辰; gēngchén), as 60- [(221+2) mod 60] = 17 (i.e., 60 minus the remainder of (221+2) divided by 60 is 17).

Examples

[edit]

Step-by-step example to determine the sign for 1967:

  1. 1967 – 3 = 1964 ("subtracting 3 from the Gregorian year")
  2. 1964 ÷ 60 = 32 ("divide by 60 and discard any fraction")
  3. 1964 – (60 × 32) = 44 ("taking the remainder")
  4. Show one of the Sexagenary Cycle tables (the following section), look for 44 in the first column (No) and obtain Fire Goat (丁未; dīngwèi).

Step-by-step example to determine the cyclic year of first year of the reign of Qin Shi Huang (246 BC):

  1. 246 + 2 = 248 ("adding 2 to the Gregorian year number (in BC)")
  2. 248 ÷ 60 = 4 ("divide by 60 and discard any fraction")
  3. 248 – (60 × 4) = 8 ("taking the remainder")
  4. 60 – 8 = 52 ("subtract the remainder from 60")
  5. Show one of the Sexagenary Cycle table (the following section), look for 52 in the first column (No) and obtain Wood Rabbit (乙卯; yǐmǎo).

A shorter equivalent method

[edit]

Start from the AD year (1967), take directly the remainder mod 60, and look into column AD of the table "Sexagenary years" (just above).

  • 1967 = 60 × 32 + 47.

Remainder is therefore 47 and the AD column says 'Fire Goat' as it should be.

For a BC year: discard the minus sign, take the remainder of the year mod 60 and look into column BC. Applied to year -246, this gives:

  • 246 = 60 × 4 + 6. Remainder is therefore 6 and the BC column of table "Sexagenary years" (just above) gives 'Wood Rabbit'.

When doing these conversions, year 246 BC cannot be treated as −246 AD due to the lack of a year 0 in the Gregorian AD/BC system.


The following tables show recent years (in the Gregorian calendar) and their corresponding years in the cycles:

1804–1923

[edit]

1924–2043

[edit]

Sexagenary months

[edit]

The branches are used marginally to indicate months. Despite there being twelve branches and twelve months in a year, the earliest use of branches to indicate a twelve-fold division of a year was in the 2nd century BC. They were coordinated with the orientations of the Big Dipper, (建子月: jiànzǐyuè, 建丑月: jiànchǒuyuè, etc.).[16][17] There are two systems of placing these months, the lunar one and the solar one.

One system follows the ordinary Chinese lunar calendar and connects the names of the months directly to the central solar term (中氣; zhōngqì). The jiànzǐyuè (()子月) is the month containing the winter solstice (i.e. the 冬至 Dōngzhì) zhōngqì. The jiànchǒuyuè (()丑月) is the month of the following zhōngqì, which is Dàhán (大寒), while the jiànyínyuè (()寅月) is that of the Yǔshuǐ (雨水) zhōngqì, etc. Intercalary months have the same branch as the preceding month.[18] In the other system (節月; jiéyuè) the "month" lasts for the period of two solar terms (two 氣策 qìcì). The zǐyuè (子月) is the period starting with Dàxuě (大雪), i.e. the solar term before the winter solstice. The chǒuyuè (丑月) starts with Xiǎohán (小寒), the term before Dàhán (大寒), while the yínyuè (寅月) starts with Lìchūn (立春), the term before Yǔshuǐ (雨水), etc. Thus in the solar system a month starts anywhere from about 15 days before to 15 days after its lunar counterpart.

The branch names are not usual month names; the main use of the branches for months is astrological. However, the names are sometimes used to indicate historically which (lunar) month was the first month of the year in ancient times. For example, since the Han dynasty, the first month has been jiànyínyuè, but earlier the first month was jiànzǐyuè (during the Zhou dynasty) or jiànchǒuyuè (traditionally during the Shang dynasty) as well.[19]

For astrological purposes stems are also necessary, and the months are named using the sexagenary cycle following a five-year cycle starting in a jiǎ (; 1st) or (; 6th) year. The first month of the jiǎ or year is a bǐngyín (丙寅; 3rd) month, the next one is a dīngmǎo (丁卯; 4th) month, etc., and the last month of the year is a dīngchǒu (丁丑, 14th) month. The next year will start with a wùyín (戊寅; 15th) month, etc. following the cycle. The 5th year will end with a yǐchǒu (乙丑; 2nd) month. The following month, the start of a or jiǎ year, will hence again be a bǐngyín (3rd) month again. The beginning and end of the (solar) months in the table below are the approximate dates of current solar terms; they vary slightly from year to year depending on the leap days of the Gregorian calendar.

Earthly Branches of the certain months Solar term Zhongqi (the Middle solar term) Starts at Ends at Names in year of Jia or Ji(/己年) Names in year of Yi or Geng (/庚年) Names in year of Bing or Xin (/辛年) Names in year of Ding or Ren (/壬年) Names in year of Wu or Gui (/癸年)
Month of Yin (寅月) LichunJingzhe Yushui / 雨水 February 4 March 6 Bingyin / 丙寅月 Wuyin / 戊寅月 Gengyin / 庚寅月 Renyin / 壬寅月 Jiayin / 甲寅月

Month of Mao (卯月)

JingzheQingming Chunfen / 春分 March 6 April 5 Dingmao / 丁卯月 Jimao / 己卯月 Xinmao / 辛卯月 Guimao / 癸卯月 Yimao / 乙卯月
Month of Chen (辰月) QingmingLixia Guyu / 谷雨 April 5 May 6 Wuchen / 戊辰月 Gengchen / 庚辰月 Renchen / 壬辰月 Jiachen / 甲辰月 Bingchen / 丙辰月
Month of Si (巳月) LixiaMangzhong Xiaoman / 小满 May 6 June 6 Jisi / 己巳月 Xinsi / 辛巳月 Guisi / 癸巳月 Yisi / 乙巳月 Dingsi / 丁巳月
Month of Wu (午月) MangzhongXiaoshu Xiazhi / 夏至 June 6 July 7 Gengwu / 庚午月 Renwu / 壬午月 Jiawu / 甲午月 Bingwu / 丙午月 Wuwu / 戊午月
Month of Wei (未月) XiaoshuLiqiu Dashu / 大暑 July 7 August 8 Xinwei / 辛未月 Guiwei / 癸未月 Yiwei / 乙未月 Dingwei / 丁未月 Jiwei / 己未月
Month of Shen (申月) LiqiuBailu Chushu / 处暑 August 8 September 8 Renshen / 壬申月 Jiashen / 甲申月 Bingshen / 丙申月 Wushen / 戊申月 Gengshen / 庚申月
Month of You (酉月) BailuHanlu Qiufen / 秋分 September 8 October 8 Guiyou / 癸酉月 Yiyou / 乙酉月 Dingyou / 丁酉月 Jiyou / 己酉月 Xinyou / 辛酉月
Month of Xu (戌月) HanluLidong Shuangjiang / 霜降 October 8 November 7 Jiaxu / 甲戌月 Bingxu / 丙戌月 Wuxu / 戊戌月 Gengxu / 庚戌月 Renxu / 壬戌月
Month of Hai (亥月) LidongDaxue Xiaoxue / 小雪 November 7 December 7 Yihai / 乙亥月 Dinghai / 丁亥月 Jihai / 己亥月 Xinhai / 辛亥月 Guihai / 癸亥月
Month of Zi (子月) DaxueXiaohan Dongzhi / 冬至 December 7 January 6 Bingzi / 丙子月 Wuzi / 戊子月 Gengzi / 庚子月 Renzi / 壬子月 Jiazi / 甲子月
Month of Chou (丑月) XiaohanLichun Dahan / 大寒 January 6 February 4 Dingchou / 丁丑月 Jichou / 己丑月 Xinchou / 辛丑月 Guichou / 癸丑月 Yichou / 乙丑月

Sexagenary days

[edit]
Table for sexagenary days
Day
(stem)
Month
(stem)
2-digit year
mod 40
(stem)
Century
(stem)
N Century
(branch)
2-digit year
mod 16
(branch)
Month
(branch)
Day
(branch)
Julian
mod 2
Gregorian Julian
mod 4
Gregorian
00 10 20 30 Aug 00 02 21 23 00 16 00 00 00 07 Nov 00 12 24
01 11 21 31 Sep Oct 04 06 25 27 21 01 14 01 13 25
02 12 22 Nov Dec 08 10 29 31 19 02 16 19 05 Feb Apr 02 14 26
03 13 23 12 14 33 35 03 03 22 03 12 Feb Jun 03 15 27
04 14 24 16 18 37 39 17 24 04 10 Aug 04 16 28
05 15 25 01 03 20 22 01 22 15 05 15 01 Oct 05 17 29
06 16 26 05 07 24 26 06 02 18 08 15 Dec 06 18 30
07 17 27 Mar Jan 09 11 28 30 20 07 21 06 Jan Mar 07 19 31
08 18 28 Jan Apr May Feb 13 15 32 34 18 08 24 13 Jan May 08 20
09 19 29 Feb Jun Jul 17 19 36 38 23 09 01 04 11 Jul 09 21
Dates with yellow background indicate they are for this year. 10 17 02 10 22
11 20 23 09 Sep 11 23
  • N for the year: (5y + [y/4]) mod 10, y = 0–39 (stem); (5y + [y/4]) mod 12, y = 0–15 (branch)
  • N for the Gregorian century: (4c + [c/4] + 2) mod 10 (stem); (8c + [c/4] + 2) mod 12 (branch), c ≥ 15
  • N for the Julian century: 5c mod 10, c = 0–1 (stem); 9c mod 12, c = 0–3 (branch)

The table above allows one to find the stem & branch for any given date. For both the stem and the branch, find the N for the row for the century, year, month, and day, then add them together. If the sum for the stems' N is above 10, subtract 10 until the result is between 1 and 10. If the sum for the branches' N is above 12, subtract 12 until the result is between 1 and 12.

For any date before October 15, 1582, use the Julian century column to find the row for that century's N. For dates after October 15, 1582, use the Gregorian century column to find the century's N. When looking at dates in January and February of leap years, use the bold & italic Feb and Jan.

Examples

[edit]
  • Step-by-step example to determine the stem-branch for October 1, 1949.
    • Stem
      • (day stem N + month stem N + year stem N + century stem N) = number of stem. If over 10, subtract 10 until within 1 – 10.
        • Day 1: N = 1,
        • Month of October: N = 1,
        • Year 49: N = 7,
          • 49 isn't on the table, so we'll have to mod 49 by 40. This gives us year 9, which we can follow to find the N for that row.
        • Century 19: N = 2.
      • (1 + 1 + 7 + 2) = 11. This is more than 10, so we'll subtract 10 to bring it between 1 and 10.
        • 11 – 10 = 1,
        • Stem = 1, .
    • Branch
      • (day branch N + month branch N + year branch N + century branch N)= number of branch. If over 12, subtract 12 until within 1 – 12.
        • Day 1: N = 1,
        • Month of October: N = 5,
        • Year 49: N = 5,
          • Again, 49 is not in the table for year. Modding 49 by 16 gives us 1, which we can look up to find the N of that row.
        • Century 19: N = 2.
      • (1 + 5 + 5 + 2) = 13. Since 13 is more than 12, we'll subtract 12 to bring it between 1 and 12.
        • 13 – 12 = 1,
        • Branch = 1, .
    • Stem-branch = 1, 1 (甲子, 1 in sexagenary cycle = 32 – 5 + 33 + 1 – 60).
More detailed examples
  • Stem-branch for December 31, 1592
    • Stem = (day stem N + month stem N + year stem N + century stem N)
      • Day 31: N = 1; month of December: N = 2; year 92 (92 mod 40 = 12): N = 3; century 15: N = 5.
      • (1 + 2 + 3 + 5) = 11; 11 – 10 = 1.
      • Stem = 1, .
    • Branch = (day branch N + month branch N + year branch N + century branch N)
      • Day 31: N = 7; month of December: N = 6; year 92 (92 mod 16 = 12): N = 3; century 15: N = 5.
      • (7 + 6 + 3 + 5) = 21; 21 – 12 = 9.
      • Branch = 9,
    • Stem-branch = 1, 9 (甲申, 21 in cycle = – 42 – 2 + 34 + 31 = 21)
  • Stem-branch for August 4, 1338
    • Stem = 8,
      • Day 4: N = 4; month of August: N = 0; year 38: N = 9; century 13 (13 mod 2 = 1): N = 5.
      • (4 + 0 + 9 + 5) = 18; 18 – 10 = 8.
    • Branch = 12,
      • Day 4: N = 4; month of August: N = 4; year 38 (38 mod 16 = 6): N = 7; century 13 (13 mod 4 = 1): N = 9.
      • (4 + 4 + 7 + 9) = 24; 24 – 12 = 12
    • Stem-branch = 8, 12 (辛亥, 48 in cycle = 4 + 8 + 32 + 4)
  • Stem-branch for May 25, 105 BC (−104).
    • Stem = 7,
      • Day 25: N = 5; month of May: N = 8; year −4 (−4 mod 40 = 36): N = 9; century −1 (−1 mod 2 = 1): N = 5.
      • (5 + 8 + 9 + 5) = 27; 27 – 10 = 17; 17 – 10 = 7.
    • Branch = 3,
      • Day 25: N = 1; month of May: N = 8; year −4 (−4 mod 16 = 12): N = 3; century −1 (−1 mod 4 = 3): N = 3.
      • (1 + 8 + 3 + 3) = 15; 15 – 12 = 3.
    • Stem-branch = 7, 3 (庚寅, 27 in cycle = – 6 + 8 + 0 + 25)
    • Alternately, instead of doing both century and year, one can exclude the century and simply use −104 as the year for both the stem and the branch to get the same result.

Algorithm for mental calculation

for Gregorian calendar and for Julian calendar.

for Jan or Feb in a common year and in a leap year.
Month Jan
13
Feb
14
Mar
03
Apr
04
May
05
Jun
06
Jul
07
Aug
08
Sep
09
Oct
10
Nov
11
Dec
12
m 00 31 −1 30 00 31 01 32 03 33 04 34
Leap year −1 30
  • Stem-branch for February 22, 720 BC (−719).
y = 5 x (720–719) + [1/4] = 5
c = 8
m = 30 + [0.6 x 15 – 3] – 5 = 31
d = 22
SB = 5 + 8 + 31 + 22 – 60 = 6
S = B = 6, 己巳
  • Stem-branch for November 1, 211 BC (−210).
y = 5 x (240–210) + [30/4] = 5 x 6 + 7 = 37
c = 8
m = 0 + [0.6 x 12 – 3] = 4
d = 1
SB = 37 + 8 + 4 + 1 = 50
S = 0, B = 2, 癸丑
  • Stem-branch for February 18, 1912.
y = 5 x (1912–1920) + [-8/4] + 60 = 18
c = 4 – 19 + 10 = -5
m = 30 + [0.6 x 15 – 3] – 6 = 30
d = 18
SB = 18 – 5 + 30 + 18 – 60 = 1
S = B = 1, 甲子
  • Stem-branch for October 1, 1949.
y = 5 x (1949–1920) + [29/4] = 5 x 5 + 7 = 32
c = -5
m = 30 + [0.6 x 11 -3] = 33
d = 1
SB = 32 – 5 + 33 + 1 – 60 = 1
S = B = 1, 甲子
Look up table for sexagenary days
Gregorian 17
24
15
22

20
18


23
16


21
19

Centuries
Julian 01 00
Dates Mar
Jan


Nov
Dec


Sep
Oct


Aug



Feb
Jun
Jul

Jan
Apr
May
Feb
Years of the century
01
11
21
31
02
12
22

03
13
23

04
14
24

05
15
25

06
16
26

07
17
27

08
18
28

09
19
29

10
20
30

天干
Heavenly stems A B C D E F G H I J 00 02 21 23 40 42 61 63 80 82
B C D E F G H I J A 04 06 25 27 44 46 65 67 84 86
C D E F G H I J A B 08 10 29 31 48 50 69 71 88 90
D E F G H I J A B C 12 14 33 35 52 54 73 75 92 94
E F G H I J A B C D 16 18 37 39 56 58 77 79 96 98
F G H I J A B C D E 01 03 20 22 41 43 60 62 81 83
G H I J A B C D E F 05 07 24 26 45 47 64 66 85 87
H I J A B C D E F G 09 11 28 30 49 51 68 70 89 91
I J A B C D E F G H 13 15 32 34 53 55 72 74 93 95
J A B C D E F G H I 17 19 36 38 57 59 76 78 97 99
地支 干支纪日速查表
Earthly branches A B C D E F G H I J K L 00 07 16 23 32 39 48 55 64 71 80 87 96
B C D E F G H I J K L A 14 30 46 62 78 94
C D E F G H I J K L A B 05 21 37 53 69 85
D E F G H I J K L A B C 03 12 19 28 35 44 51 60 67 76 83 92 99
E F G H I J K L A B C D 10 26 42 58 74 90
F G H I J K L A B C D E 01 17 33 49 65 81 97
G H I J K L A B C D E F 08 15 24 31 40 47 56 63 72 79 88 95
H I J K L A B C D E F G 06 22 38 54 70 86
I J K L A B C D E F G H 13 29 45 61 77 93
J K L A B C D E F G H I 04 11 20 27 36 43 52 59 68 75 84 91
K L A B C D E F G H I J 02 18 34 50 66 82 98
L A B C D E F G H I J K 09 25 41 57 73 89
Dates 01
13
25
02
14
26
03
15
27
04
16
28
05
17
29
06
18
30
07
19
31
08
20

09
21

10
22

11
23

12
24

Years of the century
Mar
Jan

Dec

Oct

Aug
Feb
Jun
Apr
Feb

Nov

Sep

Jul
Jan
May
Gregorian 15
18



21


24
17



20
23
16
19



22
Centuries
Julian 02 01 00 03

Sexagenary hours

[edit]
Table for sexagenary hours (5-day cycle)
Stem of the day Zǐ hour
子时
23:00–1:00
Chǒu hour
丑时
1:00–3:00
Yín hour
寅时
3:00–5:00
Mǎo hour
卯时
5:00–7:00
Chén hour
辰时
7:00–9:00
Sì hour
巳时
9:00–11:00
Wǔ hour
午时
11:00–13:00
Wèi hour
未时
13:00–15:00
Shēn hour
申时
15:00–17:00
Yǒu hour
酉时
17:00–19:00
Xū hour
戌时
19:00–21:00
Hài hour
亥时
21:00–23:00
Jia or Ji day
(甲/己)
1 甲子 2乙丑 3 丙寅 4 丁卯 5 戊辰 6 己巳 7 庚午 8 辛未 9 壬申 10 癸酉 11 甲戌 12 乙亥
Yi or Geng day
(乙/庚)
13 丙子 14 丁丑 15 戊寅 16 己卯 17 庚辰 18 辛巳 19 壬午 20 癸未 21 甲申 22 乙酉 23 丙戌 24 丁亥
Bing or Xin day
(丙/辛)
25 戊子 26 己丑 27 庚寅 28 辛卯 29 壬辰 30 癸巳 31 甲午 32 乙未 33 丙申 34 丁酉 35 戊戌 36 己亥
Ding or Ren day
(丁/壬)
37 庚子 38 辛丑 39 壬寅 40 癸卯 41 甲辰 42 乙巳 43 丙午 44 丁未 45 戊申 46 己酉 47 庚戌 48 辛亥
Wu or Gui day
(戊/癸)
49 壬子 50 癸丑 51 甲寅 52 乙卯 53 丙辰 54 丁巳 55 戊午 56 己未 57 庚申 58 辛酉 59 壬戌 60 癸亥

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric (2005). "Jikkan-jūnishi". Japan Encyclopedia. Translated by Roth, Käthe. p. 420. ISBN 9780674017535.
  2. ^ Smith 2011, pp. 1, 28.
  3. ^ For example, the annual CCTV New Year's Gala gala has continued to announce the sexagenary term of the upcoming year (庚子, gengzi for 2020).
  4. ^ "...the Ahom reckoned time by means of a sexagenary cycle"(Kapoor 2021:666)
  5. ^ "..migration from Mong Mao in Yunnan into Mungdunshunkhām..."(Kapoor 2021:666)
  6. ^ For the Akan calendar, see (Bartle 1978).
  7. ^ Martzloff, Jean-Claude (2012) [2000]. "Chinese Mathematical Astronomy". In Selin, Helaine (ed.). Mathematics Across Cultures: The History of Non-Western Mathematics. Science Across Cultures: The History of Non-Western Science, vol. 2 (illustrated ed.). Springer. p. 390. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-4301-1_18. ISBN 978-94-011-4301-1.
  8. ^ Smith 2011, pp. 24, 26–27.
  9. ^ Kalinowski 2007, p. 145, fig. 3.
  10. ^ Smith 2011, p. 29.
  11. ^ Smith 2011, p. 28.
  12. ^ "Calendar History; the Source". National Diet Library. Archived from the original on January 6, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  13. ^ "Kanreki". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  14. ^ Chattopadhyaya, Alaka; R.N. Bhattacharya (1996) [1967]. "On the Tibetan sexagenary cycle". Atīśa and Tibet: Life and Works of Dipamkara Srijnana in relation to the history and religion of Tibet. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 566–568. ISBN 9788120809284.
  15. ^ Aslaksen, Helmer (July 17, 2010). "Mathematics of the Chinese calendar". www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen. Department of Maths, National University of Singapore. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 24, 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  16. ^ Smith 2011, pp. 28, 29 fn2.
  17. ^ 建す. Kōjien. Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten.
  18. ^ Ouyang Xiu; Song Qi (1060). "本紀第六 肅宗 代宗 (Records part 6)". Xīn Tángshū 新唐書 [New Book of Tang]. 二年……,九月壬寅,大赦,去「乾元大圣光天文武孝感」号,去「上元」号,称元年,以十一月为岁首,月以斗所建辰为名。赐文武官阶、勋、爵,版授侍老官,先授者叙进之。停四京号。
      元年建子月癸巳,曹州刺史常休明及史朝义将薛崿战,败之。己亥,朝圣皇天帝于西内。丙午,卫伯玉及史朝义战于永宁,败之。己酉,朝献于太清宫。庚戌,朝享于太庙及元献皇后庙。建丑月辛亥,有事于南郊。己未,来瑱及史朝义战于汝州,败之。乙亥,侯希逸及朝义将李怀仙战于范阳,败之。宝应元年建寅月甲申,追册靖德太子琮为皇帝,妃窦氏为皇后。乙酉,葬王公妃主遇害者。丙戌,盗发敬陵、惠陵。甲辰,李光弼克许州。吐蕃请和。戊申,史朝义陷营州。建卯月辛亥,大赦。赐文武官阶、爵。五品以上清望及郎官、御史荐流人有行业情可矜者。停贡鹰、鹞、狗、豹。以京兆府为上都,河南府为东都,凤翔府为西都,江陵府为南都,太原府为北都。壬子,羌、浑、奴剌寇梁州。癸丑,河东军乱,杀其节度使邓景山,都知兵马使辛云京自称节度使。乙丑,河中军乱,杀李国贞及其节度使荔非元礼。戊辰,淮西节度使王仲升及史朝义将谢钦让战于申州,败绩。庚午,敦子仪知朔方、河中、北庭、潞仪泽沁节度行营,兴平、定国军兵马副元帅。壬申,鄜州刺史成公意及党项战,败之。建辰月壬午,大赦,官吏听纳赃免罪,左降官及流人罚镇效力者还之。甲午,奴剌寇梁州。戊申,萧华罢。户部侍郎元载同中书门下平章事。建巳月庚戌,史朝义寇泽州,刺史李抱玉败之。壬子,楚州献定国宝玉十有三。甲寅,圣皇天帝崩。乙丑,皇太子监国。大赦,改元年为宝应元年,复以正月为岁首,建巳月为四月。丙寅,闲厩使李辅国、飞龙厩副使程元振迁皇后于别殿,杀越王系、兗王亻闲。是夜,皇帝崩于长生殿,年五十二。查《壽星萬年曆》,
    唐肅宗之元年
    冬至所在月(761.12):初一壬午大雪,十三癸巳,十七冬至,十九己亥,廿五丙午,廿八己酉,廿九庚戌
    大寒所在月(762.02):初一辛亥,初三小寒,初九己未,十八大寒,廿五乙亥
    雨水所在月(762.03):初一辛巳,初三立春,初四甲申,初五乙酉,初六丙戌,十八雨水,廿四甲辰,廿八戊申
    春分所在月(762.3):初一辛亥,初四驚蜇,初二壬子,初三癸丑,十五乙丑,十八戊辰,十九春分,二十庚午,廿一壬申,
    穀雨所在月(762.4):初一庚辰,初三壬午,初五清明,十五甲午,二十穀雨,廿九戊申
    小滿所在月(762.5):初一庚戌,初三壬子,初五甲寅立夏,初五乙丑,十六丙寅。
    大寒所在月初一辛亥,已稱建丑月,初三才小寒
    春分所在月初一辛亥,已稱建卯月,初四才驚蜇
    穀雨所在月初三壬午,已稱建辰月,初五才清明
    小滿所在月初一庚戌、初三壬子,已稱建巳月,初五才立夏
    由此可見,唐代地支紀月自朔日始,非自節氣始。
  19. ^ 三正, Kōjien, Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten
  20. ^ Robert Barnett; Benno Weiner; Françoise Robin, eds. (2020). "Glossary of Chinese Terms". Conflicting Memories: Tibetan History under Mao Retold. Series: Inner Asia Book Series, vol. 12. Brill. p. 640. doi:10.1163/9789004433243. ISBN 978-90-04-43324-3.

Sources

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  • Phukan Baruah, B. N.N. (1964). Ahom lexicon. The government of Assam in the department of historical and antiquarian studies.
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