Understanding Hidden Stems (支藏干)
Hidden Stems (支藏干, Jijanggan) are Heavenly Stems concealed inside Earthly Branches. Your chart shows four visible stems, but branches hide more—layers of information revealing deeper architecture.
Why They Matter
Visible chart: four stems. Add Hidden Stems: the picture expands dramatically. They're critical for determining your Pattern (格局)—standard method identifies pattern through the Month Branch's Main Qi.
Three Layers of Qi
Each branch conceals one to three hidden stems:
- Residual Qi (餘氣): Previous season's leftover energy. Weakest layer.
- Middle Qi (中氣): Transitional bridge between Residual and Main. Medium strength.
- Main Qi (正氣): The branch's primary force. Strongest, most defining.
Hidden Stems of All 12 Branches
| Branch | Residual | Middle | Main |
| Zi (子) | — | — | Gui (癸) |
| Chou (丑) | Gui (癸) | Xin (辛) | Ji (己) |
| Yin (寅) | Wu (戊) | Bing (丙) | Jia (甲) |
| Mao (卯) | — | — | Yi (乙) |
| Chen (辰) | Yi (乙) | Gui (癸) | Wu (戊) |
| Si (巳) | Wu (戊) | Geng (庚) | Bing (丙) |
| Wu (午) | — | Ji (己) | Ding (丁) |
| Wei (未) | Ding (丁) | Yi (乙) | Ji (己) |
| Shen (申) | Wu (戊) | Ren (壬) | Geng (庚) |
| You (酉) | — | — | Xin (辛) |
| Xu (戌) | Xin (辛) | Ding (丁) | Wu (戊) |
| Hai (亥) | — | Jia (甲) | Ren (壬) |
Pattern Determination Through Hidden Stems
Pattern identification starts with the Month Branch's Main Qi relationship to your Day Master. Example: Day Master is Jia Wood (甲), Month Branch is You Metal (酉). You's Main Qi? Xin Metal (辛)—Direct Officer to Jia. Result: Direct Officer Pattern.
If Main Qi doesn't surface (透出) in visible stems, Middle or Residual Qi that does appear steps in.
Rooting—Where Power Comes From
Heavenly Stems need roots (根) in Earthly Branches for real strength. This is rooting (通根). When a branch's Hidden Stems contain matching elements, the visible stem is rooted—powerful. No root? Weak, ineffective.
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Hidden Stems are the key to understanding the hidden structure beneath the surface of a Saju chart. Curious about how Hidden Stems work in your chart? Check it out at [Saju Analysis](/saju).