60 Pillars

Alternative Term:
Sexagenary cycle, 六十甲子, Sixty Jiazi

The “60 Pillars” or “Sexagenary cycle” is an ancient Chinese system used for measuring time. It is based on cycles of 60, and is used for recording years, months, days, and hours. Each term in the sexagenary cycle consists of two Chinese characters, the first being one of the ten Heavenly Stems and the second being one of the twelve Earthly Branches.