A punishment between Earthly Branches describes a pattern where the person’s own choices, habits or mindset bring about negative consequences. The triggering actions originate with the chart owner: their behaviour, thinking or desires set the chain in motion. Even if it seems other people are to blame, a punishment’s impact ultimately centers on the individual experiencing it.
There are 4 types of punishments
- 3 Punishment
- Half Punishment
- Self Punishment
- Betrayal Punishment
3 Punishment
A full punishment typically involves three Branches. If only two of those Branches appear in a natal chart, the effect is usually weak until the missing third shows up in a Luck or Annual Pillar—at which point the punishment’s influence can strengthen, much like how partial combinations remain mild until completed.
- Yin + Si + Shen (Tiger + Snake + Monkey)
- Chou + Wei + Xu (Ox + Goat + Dog)
A Yin + Si + Shen Punishment shows up as a persistent sense of being let down or betrayed. Even when others offer help, the person feels suspicious—convinced there’s an ulterior motive or that they’re being shortchanged. Gratitude seems always missing in their relationships; they expect reciprocity and, when it doesn’t appear, they grow resentful and bitter. Over time this pattern can strain family ties and create repeated situations that reinforce the belief that life is unfair.
Practical steps help. One powerful remedy is to practice giving without conditions: offer assistance freely and without expecting anything back. Consciously cultivating unconditional generosity can loosen the cycle of feeling cheated. If you’re working with someone under this influence, be extra transparent—spell out terms and expectations clearly so they can’t claim they were misled. When appropriate, consider overdelivering or providing extra reassurance; clarity and generosity together reduce the friction this punishment creates.
A Chou + Wei + Xu Punishment shows up as being cornered with little or no power to respond. The person feels oppressed or taken advantage of and lacks the leverage to fight back. Imagine a divorce where one spouse has no job and the other uses wealth, influence or legal tactics to leave them with nothing. Or a small business crushed by a corporate takeover that steamrolls any chance of resistance. In legal or practical battles, this pattern leaves the individual exposed—outmatched by resources, connections, or authority—so they endure unfair treatment without an effective way to push back.
Half Punishment
Half punishments come into effect when any 2 of the 3 characters in a 3 Punishment come together.
These are effectively:
- Yin + Si (Tiger + Snake)
- Yin + Shen (Tiger + Monkey)
- Si + Shen (Snake + Monkey)
- Chou + Wei (Ox + Goat)
- Chou + Xu (Ox + Dog)
- Wei + Xu (Goat + Dog)
The effects are very similar to the 3 Punishments. But the degree in which the person will be affected will be significantly reduced. <50% of 3 Punishment.
Self Punishment
A Self Punishment pattern shows a person repeatedly sabotaging their own best interests. They’re aware a habit or behaviour is harmful, yet keep doing it — over and over — despite knowing the likely negative outcome.
- Chen + Chen (Dragon + Dragon)
- Wu + Wu (Horse + Horse)
- You + You (Rooster + Rooster)
- Hai + Hai (Pig + Pig)
It’s a kind of self‑inflicted consequence: choices or routines the person recognizes as destructive but feels unable or unwilling to stop. Over time this pattern undermines progress, damages relationships, and produces outcomes the person could have avoided if they’d changed course.
For example a person with a gambling addiction. He knows that it can lead to financial catastrophe but continues to gamble anyway.
Betrayal Punishment
This is a very unique punishment between Zi and Mao.
The logic behind Betrayal Punishment springs from a tendency of Mao to rebel against Zi after being supported by Zi via the growth cycle of the 5 elements.
Practically, this shows up as ambition or desire growing so strong that a person betrays or steps on those who once supported them.
Because both Rat and Rabbit carry peach‑blossom (relationship) energy, this pattern often plays out in the realm of close ties. At its mild end it can mean disloyalty, affairs, or broken trust; at its extreme — when the chart is heavily afflicted — it can indicate serious sexual transgressions.