• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.33-48
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• 2017

Objective : Ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches are the important means to understand the orders of changes in heaven and earth. Method : We have so far looked into detailed explanations about twelve earthly branches in Seolmunhaeja, annotations in Seolmun of four major people, and commentaries in Jeongyeokwonui. Result & Conclusion : This can be also applied to the explanations of twelve early branches, as follows. In the $11^{th}$ month of the lunar calendar, the yang energy is finally born amid full of the ying energy. In the $12^{th}$ month, the yang energy prepares to break through the knots of the ying energy and gets ready to come out of the ground. In the first month, three kinds of the yang energy start to become vigorous and active. In the second month, the yang energy gains more force, sprouting various plants on the ground. In the third month, the yang energy arouse further, strengthening and growing plants. In the fourth month, all the yang energy is released, while the ying energy is still hiding. In the fifth month, one ying energy is born amid full of the yang energy, and there are interchanges between the yang energy and the ying energy. In the sixth month, the yang energy is still strong and vigorous, ripening the fruits in the fields. In the seventh month, the yang energy starts to hurt all creation. In the eighth month, the ying energy starts to flourish, and the yang energy starts to decline, diminishing all creation and, however, still ripening grains to be harvested. In the ninth month, one yang energy starts to hide from sight, not working its duty, while five kinds of the ying energy start to annihilate all creation. Finally, in the tenth month, the small yang energy hides to be rebirthed amid the flux and reflux of the ying-yang energy. The creative and unique interpretation of Jeongyeokwonui about twelve earthly branches is worth to be referred. It is definitely beyond the other existing explanations, as it incorporates trigrams and hexagrams from I Ching (Book of Changes) and the five primary substances.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.49-67
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• 2017

Objective : Heavenly stems and Earthly branches is a tool used for understanding the virtue of Yin Yang and Five elements. Korean medicine understands the changes in Wuyun through the Ten Heavenly stems, and understand the changes of Liuqi through the Twelve Earthly branches. An accurate understanding of the definitions of Heavenly Stems and Earthly branches and the concept of each of the 10 stems is of vital importance. Method : The paper first reviews the origin, history, and significance of the Heavenly stems and Earthly branches before studying the definitions of the stems and branches as laid out in the works of Yu Onseo, Lee Samun, and Han Dongseok. The paper then reviewed the concept of the each of the ten stems through researching the texts of Seoulmunhaeja, the annotations of the four great Seolmuns, and the texts of Jeongyeokwonui. Result & Conclusion : Heavenly stems and Earthly branches have been in use since more than 6,000 years ago. The central numbers in the changes of Heaven and Earth are five and six. Each number functions with duality, yin and yang, meaning there are ten Heavenly numbers ($5{\times}2=10$) and 12 Earthly numbers ($6{\times}2=12$) which oversees all of the cosmic changes. Stems become the body and signifies water. Branches become the use and signifies divided fire. The meanings of the letters Gab Eul Byeong Jeong Mu Gi Gyeong Sin Im Gye originate from the one year life of a tree which grows, bears fruits, processes Yang qi, and awaits for the next spring. The reason a tree is used is because there is nothing better in studying in detail the changes of a living being through a year.