THE TWELVE EARTHLY BRANCHES
Shen · 申 (shēn)
Shen is the ninth branch and pairs with Monkey.
Go deeper: the full reference
The idea in context
Shen enters the autumn portion of the wider branch sequence. Its image can help shift attention toward evaluation, adjustment and what can be learned from a season's work.
An example to picture
Shen can encourage one experiment based on what the first results taught you.
A question to sit with
What have recent results made possible?
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.