Xushen interpreted the Ten Heavenly Stems and the Twelve Earthly Branches as a system of the cycle of the seasons in "Shuowenjiezi".

《说文》中，许慎把“天干”、“地支”都解释为万物在一年中的萌发—生长—成熟—衰亡的循环系统。

youdao

Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches and the Twelve Animal signs(shengxiaos)are brainchild of Chinese ancestors. Generally, the former are used in calculating hours while the latter numbering years.

天干地支与十二生肖，是中国古代历法研究的成果，一般来说，十二生肖用于记年，天干地支计时。

youdao

Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches and the Twelve Animal signs(shengxiaos)are brainchild of Chinese ancestors. Generally, the former are used in calculating hours while the latter numbering years.

天干地支与十二生肖，是中国古代历法研究的成果，一般来说，十二生肖用于记年，天干地支计时。

youdao