Combination of the Heavenly Stems

Every one of the ten heavenly stems combines with another heavenly stem to form an element. The product, or resultant element might or might not have any relations with the original elements.

For example,

Yang Wood Jia	combines with	Yin Earth Ji	to form	Earth
Yin Wood Yi	combines with	Yang Metal Geng	to form	Metal
Yang Fire Bing	combines with	Yin Metal Xin	to form	Water
Yin Fire Ding	combines with	Yang Water Ren	to form	Wood
Yang Earth Wu	combines with	Yin Water Gui	to form	Fire

Jia & Ji combines to form Earth
In the Cycle of Destruction, it is said that Wood penetrates deep into Earth, stealing from it all the rich minerals, hence weakening Earth. That's why we said Wood 'destroys' Earth.

If Wood were to destroy Earth, the first combination of Yang Wood (Jia) combining with Yin Earth (Ji), is like the eldest son of the Wood family, falling in love with the youngest daughter of the Earth family. Because of the yin & yang principles, instead of clashing with one another, the two of them fell deeply in love.

The resultant element is Earth. We can interpret this as the eldest son giving up his glory of being a descendant of the Wood family, and willingly follow his wife, to become part of the Earth Family.

Yi & Geng combines to form Metal
In the Cycle of Destruction, Metal (like a big axe) destroys Wood (like a tree).

If Metal were to destroy Wood, the second combination of Yin Wood (Yi) combining with Yang Metal (Geng), is like the youngest daughter of the Wood family, falling in love with the eldest son of the Metal family. Because of the yin & yang principles, instead of clashing with one another, the two of them fell deeply in love.

The resultant element is Metal. We can interpret this as the youngest daughter giving up her glory of being a descendant of the Wood family, and willingly follow her husband, to become part of the Metal Family.

Bing & Xin combines to form Water
This combination brings out a totally different result. It is known that Fire destroys Metal in the cycle of destruction. However, over here, Instead of a relationship of conflict, these two elements combines with each other to form Water, which is totally different from the original characteristic.

Fire is no longer Fire, Metal is no longer Metal. Both elements give up their original characteristic and inherit that of the new resultant element - Water.

Ding & Ren combines to form Wood
This is yet another interesting combination. It is known that Water destroys Fire in the cycle of destruction. However, over here, Instead of a relationship of conflict, these two elements combines with each other to form Wood, which is totally different from the original characteristic.

Fire is no longer Fire, Water is no longer Water. Both elements give up their original characteristic and inherit that of the new resultant element - Wood.

Wu & Gui combines to form Fire
This is the last combination of the five. It is known that Earth destroys Water in the cycle of destruction. However, over here, Instead of a relationship of conflict, these two elements combines with each other to form Fire, which is totally different from the original characteristic.

Earth is no longer Earth, Water is no longer Water. Both elements give up their original characteristic and inherit that of the new resultant element - Fire.