For example, the earthly branches represent divisions of time and also directions.
Are these multiple meanings used in puns? The individual branches can also have separate meanings from the branch system itself. For example, 丑 can also mean clown.
Do these second set of non-branch meanings get mixed or played off or punned with the branch meanings? (e.g. The year of the Ox being called the year of the clown, it being clown o'clock etc.)