10/23/21, 6:14 PM Combination of the Heavenly Stems - Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia

Combination of the Heavenly Stems

Every one of the ten heavenly stems combines with another heavenly stem to form an
element. The product, or resultant element might or might not have any relations with the
original elements.

For example,

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10/23/21, 6:14 PM Combination of the Heavenly Stems - Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia

Jia & Ji combines to form Earth

In the Cycle of Destruction, it is said that Wood penetrates deep into Earth, stealing from it all the rich minerals, hence weakening Earth.
That's why we said Wood 'destroys' Earth.

If Wood were to destroy Earth, the first combination of Yang Wood (Jia) combining with Yin Earth (Ji), is like the eldest son of the Wood
family, falling in love with the youngest daughter of the Earth family. Because of the yin & yang principles, instead of clashing with one
another, the two of them fell deeply in love.

The resultant element is Earth. We can interpret this as the eldest son giving up his glory of being a descendant of the Wood family, and
willingly follow his wife, to become part of the Earth Family.

Yi & Geng combines to form Metal

In the Cycle of Destruction, Metal (like a big axe) destroys Wood (like a tree).

If Metal were to destroy Wood, the second combination of Yin Wood (Yi) combining with Yang Metal (Geng), is like the youngest daughter of
the Wood family, falling in love with the eldest son of the Metal family. Because of the yin & yang principles, instead of clashing with one
another, the two of them fell deeply in love.

The resultant element is Metal. We can interpret this as the youngest daughter giving up her glory of being a descendant of the Wood family,
and willingly follow her husband, to become part of the Metal Family.

Bing & Xin combines to form Water

This combination brings out a totally different result. It is known that Fire destroys Metal in the cycle of destruction. However, over here,
Instead of a relationship of conflict, these two elements combines with each other to form Water, which is totally different from the original
characteristic.

Fire is no longer Fire, Metal is no longer Metal. Both elements give up their original characteristic and inherit that of the new resultant
element - Water.

Ding & Ren combines to form Wood

This is yet another interesting combination. It is known that Water destroys Fire in the cycle of destruction. However, over here, Instead of a
relationship of conflict, these two elements combines with each other to form Wood, which is totally different from the original characteristic.

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10/23/21, 6:14 PM Combination of the Heavenly Stems - Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia

Fire is no longer Fire, Water is no longer Water. Both elements give up their original characteristic and inherit that of the new resultant
element - Wood.

Wu & Gui combines to form Fire

This is the last combination of the five. It is known that Earth destroys Water in the cycle of destruction. However, over here, Instead of a
relationship of conflict, these two elements combines with each other to form Fire, which is totally different from the original characteristic.

Earth is no longer Earth, Water is no longer Water. Both elements give up their original characteristic and inherit that of the new resultant
element - Fire.

Source
hiakz.com (http://www.hiakz.com/combine-hs.asp)

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This page was last edited on 23 January 2014, at 08:19.

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