Essential reading for serious students of Chinese practical arts, including medicine, martial arts and FengShui, Master Zhongxian Wu and Dr Karin Taylor Wu provide a detailed explanation of the 22 GanZhi symbols in this book, outlining the characteristics of each, and their interactions and relationships.
TianGan (Heavenly Stems) and DiZhi (Earthly Branches), commonly abbreviated to GanZhi, originated in the ancient Chinese cosmological sciences and is a complex calendrical system which was created to codify the patterns of life and of the universe itself. The ten symbols of Gan express the Yin or Yang perspective of Five Elements and embody the Way of Heaven. The 12 symbols of Zhi, made manifest in the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, hold the root of each Element and embrace the Way of Earth.
Poetic summaries from the Song dynasty give the reader a deep understanding of the nature of each Stem and their relationship to each other. Offering an unprecedented insight into the subtleties and far-reaching influence of this ancient system, this book will be invaluable for the study or practice of Chinese medicine, FengShui, Chinese astrology, traditional Chinese cosmology, Qigong, Taiji, and other inner cultivation practices.
Foreword by Fei BingXun. Preface. Author Notes. 1. TongTianShenShu. 1.1. The Way of Heaven and Earth. 1.2. The Origin of GanZhi. 1.3. The Magic Tree. 1.4. Celestial Connection of Ganzhi. 1.5. GanZhi YinYang. 1.6. GanZhi WuXing. 1.7. QiYun – The Rhythm of Qi. 2. TianGan XiangShu. 2.1. Jia. 2.2. Yi. 2.3. Bing. 2.4. Ding. 2.5. Wu. 2.6. Ji. 2.7. Geng. 2.8. Xin. 2.9. Ren. 2.10. Gui. 3. DiZhi XiangShu. 3.1. Zi. 3.2. Chou. 3.3. Yin. 3.4. Mao. 3.5. Chen. 3.6. Si. 3.7. Wu. 3.8. Wei. 3.9. Shen. 3.10. You. 3.11. Xu. 3.12. Hai. 4. GanZhi HeHua. 4.1. WuXingXiangSheng – Birth Principle. 4.2. WuXingXiangKe – Control Principle. 4.3. WuShiWuXingHuaTu – Wu Family Five Elements Transformation Diagram. 4.4. TianGanHeHua – Heavenly Stems Transformation Principle. 4.5. WuYun – Five Cosmological Energies. 4.6 DiZhiLiuHe – Earthly Branches Six Unions Principle. 4.7. DiZhiSanHui – Earthly Branches Tri-gathering Principle. 4.8. DiZhiSanHe – Earthly Branches Tri-combination Principle (Triangle Relationship). 4.9. DiZhiLiuChong – Earthly Branches Six-Repellings Principle. 4.10. LiuQi – Six Cosmological Qi. 4.11. DiZhiLiuHai – Earthly Branches Six-Harmings Principle. 4.12. LiuShiHuaJia – Sixty Stem Branch Combinations. 5. GanZhi JingShen. 5.1. JiaMu. 5.2. YiMu. 5.3. BingHuo. 5.4. DingHuo. 5.5. WuTu. 5.6. JiTu. 5.7. GengJin. 5.8. XinJin. 5.9. RenShui. 5.10. GuiShui. Afterword. Appendices. Dynasties of China. Symbolic Meanings of the Heavenly Stems Reference Table. Symbolic Meaning of the Earthly Branches Reference Table. TianGan DiZhi Internal Alchemy Practice Reference Table.
“Zhongxian Wu and Karin Taylor Wu have accomplished the feat of producing a readable account of Gan-Zhi, one of the most complex subjects among the gnostic sciences of ancient China: the detailed calculation of how, exactly, the Above and the Below interweave and create qualitative differences in our space-time environment. A must read for every serious student of classical Chinese medicine and ancient cosmology.”
—Heiner Fruehauf, PhD, Founding Professor, School of Classical Chinese Medicine, National College of Natural Medicine
“Master Wu and Dr. Taylor Wu's outstanding new book introduces the basic principles, key applications, imagery, poetry and philosophy of the ancient science of TianGan DiZhi. The study of 'Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches' is an important gateway opening to a deeper understanding of applied Chinese Philosophy, and especially the inner aspects of Traditional Medicine, Geomancy, Pugilism, Music Theory and Taoist Internal Alchemy. Written with a distinctive flair for Chinese scholarship, this book cuts deep into the heart of the matter. If you strive to achieve a better understanding of your Chinese art, this book will certainly guide you towards the correct path.”
—Ioannis Solos, Chinese Medicine practitioner, researcher and author, Beijing, China
“The subject of Stems and Branches is a real challenge for everyone who studies or works in the field of Classical Chinese Medicine. This wonderful book, based on authentic classical texts, is of great importance for those who seek deeper understanding for the sake of the health and peace of their patients and themselves. I am grateful to Master Wu and Dr. Karin Taylor Wu for their inspiration and for opening gateways into the hidden knowledge of the fundamentals of Chinese Medicine.”
—Joan Duveen M.Ac., practitioner and teacher of acupuncture according to the heavenly stems and earthly branches
“This is an excellent portrayal of the philosophy of the Stems and Branches - TianGan DiZhi! It brings a fuller context to the subject for experienced practitioners by investigating each of the 22 characters of the GanZhi through calligraphy, poems from various sources in Chinese literature and cultural artefacts. It also introduces those new to this area of Chinese culture and medicine to exciting concepts that will help to take clinical practice to another dimension.”
—Sam Patel, Joint Principal, The International College of Oriental Medicine
“This beautiful and timely book re-establishes Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches as a central tenet of Chinese philosophy and an intimate part of Chinese medicine, not an optional extra. Liberally illustrated with diagrams and backed by classical quotations, quietly authoritative writers Zhongxian Wu and Karin Taylor Wu share their deep knowledge to produce a kaleidoscopic presentation, bridging the ancient Chinese traditions of medicine, yin yang five phase theory, Yijing studies, cosmology, music and internal alchemy. From star pattern etymology for Chinese characters to practical seasonal advice, from discussion of the application of hidden stems to the complexities of alchemical transformation, this book serves as an essential primer that will be of use to beginner and advanced practitioner alike in the study of the pulsing rhythms of unfolding time.”
— Peter Firebrace, Past Principal of the International College of Oriental Medicine, co-founder of Monkey Press, acupuncturist, author and teacher
“This book offers an unprecedented contribution to Daoism, the Yijing, traditional medicine, internal alchemy and Qigong practice to the English speaking world. My wish is for this offering to bring great benefits to people throughout the world. May it flourish and prosper!”
—Grandmaster Ren FaRong, former abbot of LouGuanTai, President of ZhongGuoDaoJiaoXieHui (Chinese Daoist Association)
“I hope this book, Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches—TianGan DiZhi: The Heart of Chinese Wisdom Traditions, will help you master the secrets of the GanZhi and unravel the truth of life and of the universe itself.”
—from the foreword by Professor Fei BingXun, president of ZhongGou YiXueYuan (Chinese Yijing College) and professor of XiBei DaXue (Northwest University)
“From, to, and for the Great Oneness comes a soul size gift in the form of a book – Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches”
—Dianne M. Connelly, Ph.D., M.Ac. (UK), co-founder of Tai Sophia Institute (now Maryland University of Integrative Health), author, and Chinese medicine practitioner
