卯 (mǎo) is the 4th of the twelve Earthly Branches (
地支), associated with the Rabbit and the hours 5–7 a.m. The twelve branches cycle through years, months, days, and two-hour periods in traditional Chinese timekeeping.
卯 also means a mortise joint in carpentry, giving us the phrase
卯榫 (mortise and tenon).
