巳 (sì) - The sixth of the twelve Earthly Branches & 9–11 AM in the Chinese two-hour time period

巳Tone 4

sì ｜ 3 strokes ｜ radical: 巳

树檀

巳 · sì

The sixth of the twelve Earthly Branches;

9–11 AM in the Chinese two-hour time period;

the Snake in the Chinese zodiac;

to complete, to finish.

The sixth of the twelve Earthly Branches9–11 AM in the Chinese two-hour time periodthe Snake in the Chinese zodiac

Usage highlights

Earthly Branch 巳Snake yearSnake hour巳蛇上巳节辰巳

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 寅— Third Earthly Branch (Tiger)
  • 亥— Twelfth Earthly Branch (Pig)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The time of the Snake (巳时) is 9–11 AM.
  • He was born in the Year of the Snake (巳年).
  • The character 巳 represents completion (巳 represents completion).

Collocations

  • Earthly Branch 巳(地支巳)
  • Snake year(巳年)
  • Snake hour(巳时)
  • the Snake zodiac sign(巳蛇)
  • Shangsi Festival(上巳节)
  • Chen-Si, a direction or combination(辰巳)

Idioms

  • The twelve Earthly Branches(十二地支)
  • The cycle of the zodiac(生肖循环)
  • Shangsi Festival traditions(上巳节传统)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 巳 is the sixth Earthly Branch, associated with the Snake in the Chinese zodiac and the time period 9–11 AM.
  • In traditional Chinese cosmology, it symbolizes the direction south-southeast and the element Fire.
  • The Shangsi Festival (上巳节) was historically celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month, which often falls in the 巳 month.

FAQ