Branch Interactions: Combinations, Clashes, Punishments, and Harms
In a Nutshell
Earthly Branches "combine" (band together), "clash" (collide head-on), and also "punish" and "harm" each other — the basic grammar for reading how chart, Luck Pillars, and years interact.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Six Combinations | Zi–Chou, Yin–Hai, Mao–Xu, Chen–You, Si–Shen, Wu–Wei |
| Threefold Alliances | Shen–Zi–Chen (Water), Hai–Mao–Wei (Wood), Yin–Wu–Xu (Fire), Si–You–Chou (Metal) |
| Six Clashes | Zi–Wu, Chou–Wei, Yin–Shen, Mao–You, Chen–Xu, Si–Hai |
| Triple Punishments | Yin–Si–Shen; Chou–Wei–Xu |
| Key rule | Never call a clash unlucky on sight — check what got clashed first |
Six Combinations: pairs holding hands
Zi with Chou, Yin with Hai, Mao with Xu, Chen with You, Si with Shen, Wu with Wei.
Combination means bonding and entanglement: a combined character moves less freely but connects more tightly — like two people holding hands, walking slower but steadier.
Threefold Alliances: three-way pacts
- Shen, Zi, Chen form the Water frame;
- Hai, Mao, Wei form the Wood frame;
- Yin, Wu, Xu form the Fire frame;
- Si, You, Chou form the Metal frame.
All three present is a "full alliance," the strongest; two of three is a "half alliance," weaker. Once a Threefold Alliance forms, the strength of its element surges — a major event in a chart.
Six Clashes: head-on collisions
Zi–Wu, Chou–Wei, Yin–Shen, Mao–You, Chen–Xu, Si–Hai — branches directly opposite each other clash.
Clash means activation and movement: "where there's clash, there's movement." But whether the movement is fortunate depends on the whole chart: clashing away an Unfavorable God moves opportunity in; clashing away the Useful God moves turbulence in. Never call a clash unlucky on sight — the beginner's cardinal sin.
Punishments and Harms (in one line each)
- Punishments: the Yin–Si–Shen and Chou–Wei–Xu triple punishments, the Zi–Mao mutual punishment, and the self-punishments of Chen, Wu, You, and Hai. Punishment means friction, tangles, good things taking the long way.
- Harms: Zi–Wei, Chou–Wu, Yin–Si, Mao–Chen, Shen–Hai, You–Xu. Harm means quiet drain and unseen complications — mostly invisible consumption.
Punishments and harms lean toward "inner friction." Learn the names and the gist first; the fine print is intermediate material.
Application: flares for events
When a Luck Pillar or year's branch combines or clashes with the natal chart, that's one signal that "something is happening": combinations tend toward gathering, partnership, and entanglement; clashes toward change, travel, and adjustment. *What* happens depends on which Ten God and which life palace gets combined or clashed.
MoZhu tip
Combinations, clashes, punishments, and harms are *ways of interacting* — fortune or misfortune lies in how elemental strengths shift afterward. Remember the order: first see *who* got combined or clashed, then who grew stronger or weaker, and only then talk about good or bad. Get the order wrong and every conclusion is wrong.
Classical sources
Branch combination (he), clash (chong), punishment (xing), and harm (hai) are documented across classical BaZi literature.
*For entertainment purposes only.*