Heavenly Stems
Glossary · Last updated: 2026-07-26
The ten Heavenly Stems (天干) form a cycle used with Earthly Branches to name years, months, days, and hours in the Chinese sexagenary calendar.
Each stem carries yin or yang polarity and an element flavor (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). That is how you get a Water Dragon year vs a Wood Dragon year.
Element colors
Popular Chinese zodiac apps often show an element color on your birth year. That comes from the stem portion of the year pillar.
Related
Main reading and tools
These are the main reading and calculator pages. Use them for a daily note, a birth-sign tool, or a pair check.
- Today's Horoscope hubAll twelve Western sun-sign daily pages, plus links into the seven-tradition reader.
- Horoscope & Zodiac CompatibilityTwo birth dates for Western, Chinese, and Vedic folk pairing, plus every sun-sign hub.
- Zodiac Sign CalculatorWestern sun sign from birth date, with element, modality, and ruler.
- Vedic Rising Sign CalculatorLagna estimate when you have birth date, time, and place.
- Vedic Moon Sign CalculatorJanma Rashi and nakshatra when birth time and city are available.