Similar to the division of the Chinese solar year into twelve months, the 24 hours of the day are divided into 12 Chinese hours, each corresponding to one of the 12 earthly branches of traditional cosmology.

The 12 earthly branches are as follows (we indicate in parentheses the Chinese zodiac sign for which each of these branches is popularly known): zi 子 (Rat), between 11:00 PM and 12:59 AM; chou 丑 (Ox), between 01:00 AM and 02:59 AM; yin 寅 (Tiger), between 03:00 AM and 04:59 AM; mao 卯 (Rabbit), between 05:00 AM and 06:59 AM; chen 辰 (Dragon), between 07:00 AM and 08:59 AM; si 巳 (Snake), between 09:00 AM and 10:59 AM; wu 午 (Horse), between 11:00 AM and 12:59 PM; wei 未 (Goat), between 01:00 PM and 02:59 PM; shen 申 (Monkey), between 03:00 PM and 04:59 PM; you 酉 (Rooster), between 05:00 PM and 06:59 PM; xu 戌 (Dog), between 07:00 PM and 08:59 PM; and hai 亥 (Pig), between 09:00 PM and 10:59 PM.

It should be noted that the hours mentioned above are natural hours, whereas the hours indicated by our clocks are decreed by government decisions, notably the time zone to which the location belongs and the existence or absence of daylight saving time.

To obtain true solar time (which is the time a sundial would indicate), both our WEBSITE CHARTS and those of our  LIFE PILLARS App correct the official time of birth entered. Not all Bazi practitioners make this correction of the birth time, so try it for yourself and learn what the ancient Chinese wisdom has to say about you. Download it today at the App Store or Google Play .