Branch Interactions — Clashes, Combinations, and Penalties

Earthly Branches don't just sit there—they interact, collide, merge, punish. Combinations (合), Clashes (沖), and Penalties (刑) create the dynamic chemistry that brings your chart alive.

Combinations (合) — Energies Merging

Six Combinations (六合) — Paired Bonds

Two branches meet and transform:

• Zi (子) · Chou (丑) → Earth


• Yin (寅) · Hai (亥) → Wood


• Mao (卯) · Xu (戌) → Fire


• Chen (辰) · You (酉) → Metal


• Si (巳) · Shen (申) → Water


• Wu (午) · Wei (未) → Fire or Earth

Three Harmonies (三合) — Triple Alliance

Three branches unite to form a powerful elemental force.

• Yin (寅) · Wu (午) · Xu (戌) → Fire Frame


• Si (巳) · You (酉) · Chou (丑) → Metal Frame


• Shen (申) · Zi (子) · Chen (辰) → Water Frame


• Hai (亥) · Mao (卯) · Wei (未) → Wood Frame

Directional Combinations (方合) — Seasonal Alliance

Three branches of the same season unite to maximize that season's element.

• Yin · Mao · Chen → Spring, Wood


• Si · Wu · Wei → Summer, Fire


• Shen · You · Xu → Autumn, Metal


• Hai · Zi · Chou → Winter, Water

Clashes (沖) — Direct Collision

Opposite branches smash together:

• Zi (子) · Wu (午)


• Chou (丑) · Wei (未)


• Yin (寅) · Shen (申)


• Mao (卯) · You (酉)


• Chen (辰) · Xu (戌)


• Si (巳) · Hai (亥)

Penalties (刑) — Grinding Friction

Less obvious than clashes but creates slow-burning tension:

• Yin (寅) · Si (巳) · Shen (申): Ingratitude Penalty


• Chou (丑) · Xu (戌) · Wei (未): Power Penalty


• Zi (子) · Mao (卯): Discourtesy Penalty

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Branch interactions reveal the dynamic relationships between the characters in your Saju chart. Curious about which interactions exist in your chart? Check it out at [Saju Analysis](/saju).