DefinedTerm
The 10 Heavenly Stems (Tian Gan): Complete Guide
The visible layer of each pillar and the source of the Day Master.
Direct Answer
The 10 Heavenly Stems (Tian Gan 天干) are Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui. Each stem combines yin or yang polarity with one Five Element, giving Bazi a precise language for visible personality, expression, and chart relationships.
The stems pair elements with polarity
Jia and Yi are Wood, Bing and Ding are Fire, Wu and Ji are Earth, Geng and Xin are Metal, and Ren and Gui are Water. The first in each pair is yang and the second is yin. This creates 10 visible expressions from 5 elements.
“The Day Master is the reference point; every other symbol is interpreted through its relationship to that stem.”
Each stem carries a practical image
Jia is like a tall tree, Yi like vines and flowers, Bing like the sun, Ding like candlelight, Wu like a mountain, Ji like cultivated soil, Geng like raw metal, Xin like jewelry, Ren like the ocean, and Gui like mist or rain.
10
Core images
One image for each visible stem.
Why stems matter for chart reading
Stems show what is visible and active. They help identify the Day Master, Ten Gods, combinations, and whether a chart expresses its strengths openly or stores them in hidden branches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions
Further Reading
Related guides
Next Step
Explore your own Bazi pattern
Use the free calculator to see your stems, branches, elements, and life-cycle structure in one chart.
For entertainment and self-reflection purposes.