Earthly Branch Relationship |
Affinity relationship (Attraction)
The affinity relationship of Earthly Branches is from the relative positions (in the sky) of the Sun and the Moon in an old calendar system. Also, all animals in the Chinese Calendar have a sequence number.
Rat (1) and Cow (2) like each other and generate the Earth ingredient. Dragon (5) and Chicken (10) like each other and generate the Metal ingredient. Snake (6) and Monkey (9) like each other and generate the Water ingredient. Tiger (3) and Pig (12) like each other and generate the Wood ingredient. Rabbit (4) and Dog(11) like each other and generate the Fire ingredient. |
Enmity relationship (Rejection)
Just like the Stem relationship, the enmity relationship is from the relative positions of the elements. The Chinese consider a "face to face" conflict as the enmity relationship. Wood is in the east and faces Metal in the West. Water is in the north and faces Fire in the south. They are unlike each other, so they live in different places. Also, same genders reject each other.
There is an Enmity relationship when the difference between the animal's sequence numbers is six.
Rat (1) and Horse (7) will fight each other. Cow (2) and Sheep (8) will fight each other. Tiger (3) and Monkey (9) will fight each other. Rabbit (4) and Chicken (10) will fight each other. Dragon (5) and Dog (11) will fight each other. Snake (6) and Pig (12) will fight each other. |