THE TWELVE EARTHLY BRANCHES
Chen · 辰 (chén)
Chen is the fifth branch and pairs with Dragon.
Go deeper: the full reference
The idea in context
Chen appears as spring gives way toward summer in the broader branch system. Its year image can help discuss change becoming visible and the need to give it shape.
An example to picture
Chen can prompt a team to turn a broad vision into a shared plan.
A question to sit with
What change needs a clear form?
Native app reference
The original examples describe Synastry’s date-only native year reader. This web guide does not calculate a placement or a Four Pillars chart.
Keep the calendar convention in view
The website offers these educational readings. Synastry’s native year reader uses a civil date and Lunar New Year; it is separate from a full Four Pillars or BaZi chart. Begin with the convention before comparing year labels.
Sources and conventions
These references identify the calendar or historical method used in this guide. Keep the named convention in view when comparing other traditions.
Hong Kong Observatory — Gregorian–Lunar Calendar Conversion Tables ↗ · Calendar reference covering 1901–2100, including leap months and cautions near midnight boundaries. The Synastry native reader uses its separately disclosed date-only Lunar New Year convention; this website provides the educational guide.