干支

Noun

 * 1) The Chinese sexagenary cycle expressed as combinations of the ten heavenly stems and the twelve earthly branches.

Noun

 * 1) the sexagenary cycle (especially sixty-year cycle)

Etymology 2
The combination of 兄 (え, e; elder brother) and 弟 (と, to; younger brother); the original meaning is 兄弟 (brother). Derived from this term, the elder is adopted as "positive" and "heavenly stems", the younger is adopted as "negative" and "earthly branches".

Noun

 * 1) the sexagenary cycle (especially sixty-year cycle)
 * 2)  the twelve earthly branches
 * 1)  the twelve earthly branches