Meaning of the Earthly Branch You (酉) — Rooster Sign · Metal (金) Complete Guide

You (酉) represents the time of day when the rooster returns to its roost at sunset, and the season of mid-autumn when crops are fully ripened. It is a position composed purely of Metal (金) energy, acting as a character of fruition that distinguishes between what is ripe and what is unripe.

At a Glance

Category	Content
Hanja	酉
Zodiac Animal	Rooster
Five Elements · Yin-Yang	Metal (金) · Yin (陰)
Season (based on solar terms)	8th Lunar Month (from White Dew)
Time	17:00–19:00
Hidden Stems (支藏干)	Geng (庚) · Xin (辛)
Key Keywords	Precision, Fruition, Critical Eye, Brilliance

Personality Traits

Individuals with a strong You (Metal) influence are meticulous and possess excellent discernment; they can instantly gauge the level of completion in both work and people. They often have a neat appearance and refined speech, with a deep connection to things that shine (jewelry, art, stages). While their critical judgment is accurate, it can also be sharp and cutting.

San-hap and Chong

It forms a Metal Bureau (金局) through the San-hap of Si-You-Chuk (巳酉丑), and clashes with Mao (卯) in the Mao-You-Chong (卯酉沖) — a conflict of values between the spring, which seeks to grow, and the autumn, which seeks to harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How is the Earthly Branch You (酉) different from the Heavenly Stem Xin (辛)?

A. While both share the essence of Yin Metal, Xin (辛) represents the “character of a jewel” revealed in the sky, whereas You (酉) represents the environment of the “season of harvest and the stage of precision.” When a Xin Metal Day Master encounters You (酉), it is considered to have gained a root, further strengthening its precision.

---

In Saju, Earthly Branches represent ‘time and environment.’ The manifestation of the same character varies depending on whether it is located in the Year, Month, Day, or Hour pillar, and what kind of combinations (hap) or clashes (chong) it forms with surrounding characters.