Earthly Branches

Chinese: 地支; pinyin: Dìzhī) is an ancient Chinese numeral system now uncommon, except when used in conjunction with the Heavenly Stems in the traditional calendar and Taoism. There are twelve phonetic characters in the system, each corresponding to an animal of the Chinese zodiac and a respective Chinese hour (时辰; pinyin: Shíchen, modern day 2-hours):

1. Zǐ (子): 11 pm–1 am ("Rat" hour)
2. Chǒu (丑): 1–3 ("Ox" hour)
3. Yín (寅): 3–5 ("Tiger" hour)
4. Mǎo (卯): 5–7 ("Rabbit" hour)
5. Chén (辰): 7–9 ("Dragon" hour)
6. Sì (巳): 9–11 ("Snake" hour)
7. Wǔ (午): 11 am–1 pm ("Horse" hour)
8. Wèi (未): 1–3 ("Sheep" hour)
9. Shēn (申): 3–5 ("Monkey" hour)
10. Yǒu (酉): 5–7 ("Rooster" hour)
11. Xū (戌): 7–9 ("Dog" hour)
12. Hài (亥): 9–11 ("Pig" hour)

See also: Sexagesimal cycle