Click here for the introduction to the Round and Square series "Calendars and Almanacs"
This is one in a never-ending series—following the movements of the calendar—in Round and Square perpetuity. It is today's date in the Chinese lunar calendar, along with basic translation and minimal interpretation. Unless you have been studying lunar calendars (and Chinese culture) for many years, you will likely find yourself asking "what does that mean?" I would caution that "it" doesn't "mean" any one thing. There are clusters of meaning, and they require patience, reflection, careful reading, and, well, a little bit of ethnographic fieldwork. The best place to start is the introduction to "Calendars and Almanacs" on this blog. I teach a semester-long course on this topic and, trust
me, it takes a little bit of time to get used to the lunar calendar. Some of the material is readily accessible; some of it is impenetrable, even after many years.
As time goes on, I will link all of the sections to lengthy background essays. This will take a while. In the meantime, take a look, read the introduction, and think about all of the questions that emerge from even a quick look at the calendar.
Section One
⇦⇦⇦⇦⇦ From right to left: ⇦⇦⇦⇦⇦
LEFT May 1......................................................................................April 24 RIGHT
[a] 24 April - 1 May 2013 |
As time goes on, I will link all of the sections to lengthy background essays. This will take a while. In the meantime, take a look, read the introduction, and think about all of the questions that emerge from even a quick look at the calendar.
Solar Calendar Date
(top to bottom; right to left)
廿
九
一期星
Fourth month, twenty-ninth day
Astral Period One
Monday, April 29
————————————————
Section Two
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
(top to bottom, right to left)
(top to bottom, right to left)
不天
將貴
將貴
Heavenly Nobility
Not General
Not General
—————————————————
Section Three
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
吉中吉
酉己丑
戌午寅
吉凶吉
凶中吉
亥未卯
凶凶吉
01:00-03:00 Auspicious
03:00-05:00 Auspicious
05:00-07:00 Auspicious
07:00-09:00 In-Between
09:00-11:00 Inauspicious
11:00-13:00 In-Between
13:00-15:00 Inauspicious
15:00-17:00 Auspicious
17:00-19:00 Auspicious
19:00-21:00 Inauspicious
21:00-23:00 Inauspicious
The hours above are for Hong Kong. It is up to you if you want to recalibrate or to assume that the cyclicality of the calendar "covers" the rest of the world. This is a greater interpretive challenge than you might think.
—————————————————
Section Four
Activities to Avoid
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
倉種
Activities to Avoid
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
忌
修栽倉種
Planting Crops
Repairing Granaries
Repairing Granaries
—————————————————
Section Five
Cosmological Information
Cosmological Information
二
十
十
乙
丑
金
金
危
收
Twentieth Day (third lunar month)
Cyclical day: yichou (2/60)
Phase (element): Metal
Constellation: Danger (13/28)
"Day Personality" Cycle: Acceptance (10/12)
—————————————————
Section Six
Appropriate Activities
(and Miscellaneous Information)
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
Appropriate Activities
(and Miscellaneous Information)
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
宜
嫁
娶
納
財
捕
捉
納
畜
五大
虛亡空*
河寡
魁宿
嫁
娶
納
財
捕
捉
納
畜
五大
虛亡空*
河寡
魁宿
Appropriate Activities
Marriage Alliances
Capital Outlay
Seizing and Capturing
Livestock Payments
Marriage Alliances
Capital Outlay
Seizing and Capturing
Livestock Payments
Miscellaneous Information
Great Vacancy*
Orphan Hostel
Five Voids
River Stalwart
*This character is not to be found in any of the fonts I can find
(and even the actual calendar text has it written-in somewhat awkwardly.
Orphan Hostel
Five Voids
River Stalwart
*This character is not to be found in any of the fonts I can find
(and even the actual calendar text has it written-in somewhat awkwardly.
—————————————————
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
白 神
White, Spirit
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
白 神
White, Spirit
—————————————————
Section Eight
Miscellaneous Activities
Miscellaneous Activities
(Top to bottom; right to left)
碓
厠 磨
厠 磨
Pestle,
Toilet, Mortar
Toilet, Mortar
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