Interpretation For the Ten Heavenly Stems and The Twelve Earthly Branches by "Shuowenjiezi"

Xushen interpreted the Ten Heavenly Stems and the Twelve Earthly Branches as a system of the cycle of the seasons in Shuowenjiezi. As Xushen's interpretation is full of the thought from Yin and Yang and Five Elements(metal,wood,water,fire and earth),it has been blamed sternly.Through a number of case studies for ancient cultural background and ancient documents,this paper proves that Xushen's interpretation for the Ten Heavenly Stems and the Twelve Earthly Branches is not full wrong.The Ten Heavenly Stems represents a system of the sun's birth and death cycle and the Twelve Earthly Branches represents a system of the creature's birth and death cycle.