Water Ox
Guǐ Chǒu, yin
- Stem
- 癸 water, yin
- Branch
- 丑 ox
- 納音
- 桑柘木 Mulberry Wood
- Years
- 1913, 1973, 2033, 2093
Each listed year runs from its boundary to the next one, and it depends on the convention. Early dates in the calendar year can belong to the year before.
About this year
In 癸丑 the dam is underneath: 丑, the Ox, is earth, 癸 is yin water, and earth dams water. The branch overcomes the stem. Past years are 1913 and 1973, and 2033 is due.
The Mulberry Wood of the previous year extends to this one. The handbook explains the choice by timing, since this tree takes life from the season. Neither water nor earth is wood, so the English title Water Ox and the 納音 are describing two different things.
Where this text comes from
The 納音 name follows the Wikisource text of 三命通會, volume 1, the only witness we found for the full set of names. The polarity of the stems and branches and the generating and overcoming cycles follow 五行大義 volume 2.
- 三命通會 卷一 (Wikisource 三命通會/卷一, SIMPLIFIED script as stored on Wikisource)
Retrieved 2026-11-09
- 五行大義 卷二 (Wikisource 五行大義/2, traditional script)
Retrieved 2026-11-09
The English here is our own plain wording, not a translation of a single source.