The Chinese double hours, or shichen, divide the day into 12 periods of about two modern hours each, and each period is tied to an Earthly Branch and a zodiac animal. The Rat hour runs 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., and the Horse hour runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Below is a quick table, then the story behind it, offered as cultural tradition and self-reflection.
Find Your Chinese Double Hour: Quick Table
| Branch | Pinyin | Animal | 12-hour time | 24-hour time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 子 | Zi | Rat | 11 p.m.-1 a.m. | 23:00-01:00 |
| 丑 | Chou | Ox | 1-3 a.m. | 01:00-03:00 |
| 寅 | Yin | Tiger | 3-5 a.m. | 03:00-05:00 |
| 卯 | Mao | Rabbit | 5-7 a.m. | 05:00-07:00 |
| 辰 | Chen | Dragon | 7-9 a.m. | 07:00-09:00 |
| 巳 | Si | Snake | 9-11 a.m. | 09:00-11:00 |
| 午 | Wu | Horse | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | 11:00-13:00 |
| 未 | Wei | Goat | 1-3 p.m. | 13:00-15:00 |
| 申 | Shen | Monkey | 3-5 p.m. | 15:00-17:00 |
| 酉 | You | Rooster | 5-7 p.m. | 17:00-19:00 |
| 戌 | Xu | Dog | 7-9 p.m. | 19:00-21:00 |
| 亥 | Hai | Pig | 9-11 p.m. | 21:00-23:00 |
This table uses the traditional 23:00 start, and clock times are approximate guides. Some sources shift the Rat hour, as the next sections explain.
Quick answers to the most common lookups
- Rat hour: 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Horse hour: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Pig hour: 9 to 11 p.m.
What Are the Chinese Double Hours (Shichen)?
The shichen system splits a full day and night into 12 equal periods. Each is marked by one of the 12 Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu and Hai. The animals follow the same order as the zodiac year cycle, so the Rat hour comes first and the Pig hour closes the cycle. If the branches are new to you, see our Earthly Branches explained in plain English.
Does each two-hour period have a different meaning? Each has its own branch and animal label, but further meanings come through astrology, traditional Chinese medicine theory and almanac customs rather than one universal rulebook.
Does the Double Hour Start at 11 p.m. or Midnight?
Traditionally, the first shi ran 23:00 to 01:00, which put midnight in the middle of the Rat hour. In the Song dynasty the convention changed to 00:00-02:00, so midnight sat at the start.
Initial and central halves
From the end of the Tang into the Song, each shi was split into an initial half and a central half.
The 100-ke day division
Song-era timekeeping also divided the day into 100 equal parts called ke. This is a separate system from the 12-part shichen.
In practice, the convention mostly affects the Rat-hour edge. Check which one a calculator or article follows.
How Your Birth Double Hour Becomes the BaZi Hour Pillar
BaZi, or Four Pillars, describes a chart built from year, month, day and hour. The shichen of your birth becomes the Hour Pillar of your chart, supplying its Earthly Branch.
Because the branch changes at the boundary between double hours, being a few minutes off can change the result. Births near the Rat hour are especially sensitive to the 23:00 versus 00:00 question.
Time zones, local solar time and daylight saving
Calculators may handle time zones, local solar time and daylight saving differently, so two tools can give different Hour Pillars. This needs verification: check your recorded birth time and read which method a tool uses. See why BaZi calculators give different hour pillars and how to find your birth time.
Double Hours and Traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine theory, the double hours correspond to the flow of qi and blood through the twelve meridians. This is a traditional framework and cultural concept, not medical guidance, and it makes no promises about your health. For health concerns, speak with a qualified professional.
Lucky Hours in Chinese Astrology: What They Are and Aren't
Two things get mixed up. Fixed shichen meanings are simply the branch and animal of each block. Almanac calendars, by contrast, mark auspicious hours for particular dates. The Chinese calendar is still used to choose favorable dates for weddings, holidays and family events.
Lucky hours are a cultural and astrological practice, not a measurable fact and not a prediction. They can work as a reflective or ceremonial choice, like picking a meaningful time for a family dinner. Please do not use them for medical, financial or legal decisions. For a gentle starting point, see how to find your lucky hours.
Next Steps: Find Your Hour and Explore Your Chart
Find your hour in the table, confirm your birth time and the convention used, then see how that hour sits in your BaZi chart. If you would like an overview, you are welcome to explore a Life Blueprint reading, offered for reflection and cultural interest.
LuckTime readings and guides are for entertainment and self-reflection. They are not medical, financial, legal or psychological advice.