LESSON P06 / 09 OF 20
Branches and hidden stems
Branches hide stems inside. That is where a chart gains depth.
Original app lesson · freely available here
The first stem in each row is the main one. Start with just that one, especially in the day branch.
What hidden stems are
Each branch holds one to three stems. Yin holds Jia Wood, Bing Fire and Wu Earth; Zi holds only Gui Water.
Think of stems as what is said aloud and hidden stems as what runs underneath.
Why it matters
Stems alone make a person look flat. Hidden stems show someone doing one thing on the surface while wanting another underneath.
Direct Officer on the surface with Hurting Officer hidden: follows the rules, constantly wants out.
How to use it as a beginner
Start with each branch’s main hidden stem. The Day branch’s main stem matters most — it sits closest to you.
Leave the rest for later.
Stems are spoken, hidden stems run underneath. Start with the main one.
CHECK YOURSELF
Try the lesson questions
No score. An incorrect first answer enters your review book.
What are hidden stems best understood as?
Stems are the surface, hidden stems the undercurrent.
Which hidden stem should a beginner read first?
The main stem dominates, and the Day branch sits closest.
Sources and further reading
- San Ming Tong Hui · Volume 2Chapters on polarity, combinations and clashes. Facsimile collation remains an editorial task.
- lunar-javascript · Adopted calculation dataVersion 1.7.7 used for replayed cases and correspondence-table checks. Algorithm agreement is not textual collation.
YOUR STUDY / P06
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