Meaning of the Earthly Branch Shin (申) — Monkey Sign & Metal (金) Comprehensive Guide

Shin (申) marks the beginning of autumn and is the position of the Monkey. Possessing the solid energy of Metal (金) while harboring the wisdom of Water (Im-su), it is one of the most talented and mobile (Yeokma) characters among the twelve Earthly Branches.

At a Glance

Category	Details
Hanja	申
Zodiac Animal	Monkey
Five Elements · Yin/Yang	Metal (金) · Yang (陽)
Season (Solar Terms)	7th Lunar Month (from Ipchu/Start of Autumn)
Time	15:00–17:00
Hidden Stems (支藏干)	Wu (戊) · Im (壬) · Geng (庚)
Core Keywords	Talent, Agility, Versatility, Change

Personality Traits

Individuals with a strong Shin influence are typically gifted with manual dexterity and eloquence. They possess excellent adaptability and quickly grasp the nuances of any situation. While their curiosity makes them capable in many fields, they often require conscious effort to focus on a single pursuit for an extended period.

Samhap and Chung

Shin forms the Water-frame (水局) through the Samhap (trine) of Shin-Ja-Jin (申子辰). It clashes with In (寅) in the In-Shin-Chung (寅申沖), which is considered the quintessential clash of movement and change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I am very talented but often struggle with finishing things. Is this because of Shin?

A. The versatility of Shin is a “diffusive talent,” so the drive for completion must be designed separately. This is especially true if the grounding energy of Earth (土) or the structure of the Official Star (Gwan-seong) is weak. Developing the habit of defining the “end” of every project in advance is key to turning Shin’s talents into tangible results.

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In Saju, Earthly Branches represent “time and environment.” The manifestation of the same character varies depending on its position (Year, Month, Day, or Hour) and the combinations or clashes it forms with surrounding characters.