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.
⇦⇦⇦⇦⇦ From right to left: ⇦⇦⇦⇦⇦
LEFT May 14..................................................May 10..................................Monthly Information RIGHT
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.
Solar Calendar Date
(top to bottom; right to left)
十
一
六期星
Fifth month, eleventh day
Astral Period Six
Saturday, May 11
————————————————
Section Two
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
(top to bottom, right to left)
(top to bottom, right to left)
天玉三歲
喜堂合支
喜堂合支
Generational Branch
Three Harmonies
Jade Hall
Heavenly Happiness
Three Harmonies
Jade Hall
Heavenly Happiness
—————————————————
Section Three
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
中中吉
酉己丑
戌午寅
吉吉中
中吉中
亥未卯
凶凶凶
01:00-03:00 In-Between
03:00-05:00 In-Between
05:00-07:00 Inauspicious
07:00-09:00 In-Between
09:00-11:00 Auspicious
11:00-13:00 Auspicious
13:00-15:00 Inauspicious
15:00-17:00 In-Between
17:00-19:00 Auspicious
19:00-21:00 In-Between
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)
回徙甲髮
Activities to Avoid
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
忌
遠移整理回徙甲髮
Patterning Hair
Ordering Nails
Moving Residences
Returning-from Afar
Ordering Nails
Moving Residences
Returning-from Afar
—————————————————
Section Five
Cosmological Information
Cosmological Information
初
二
丁
丑
二
丁
丑
水
柳
柳
成
Second Day (fourth lunar month)
Cyclical day: dingchou (14/60)
Phase (element): Water
Constellation: Willow (24/28)
"Day Personality" Cycle: Completion (9/12)
—————————————————
Section Six
Appropriate Activities
(and Miscellaneous Information)
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
宜
安動納入
門土采學
作上裁會
灶樑衣友
納醞醫出
畜釀病行
安修修訂
葬倉造婚
忌歸
招厭四債
搖對擊不
Appropriate Activities
(and Miscellaneous Information)
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
宜
安動納入
門土采學
作上裁會
灶樑衣友
納醞醫出
畜釀病行
安修修訂
葬倉造婚
忌歸
招厭四債
搖對擊不
Appropriate Activities
Entering Study
Meeting Friends
Going Out (and about)
Marriage Engagements
Grain Payments
Patterning Clothing
Doctor Visits
Repairing and Building
Moving Soil
Erecting Beams
Fermenting Beverages
Repairing Granaries
Positioning Gates
Stove Work
Livestock Payments
Positioning Graves
Entering Study
Meeting Friends
Going Out (and about)
Marriage Engagements
Grain Payments
Patterning Clothing
Doctor Visits
Repairing and Building
Moving Soil
Erecting Beams
Fermenting Beverages
Repairing Granaries
Positioning Gates
Stove Work
Livestock Payments
Positioning Graves
Return Taboo
Miscellaneous Information
Miscellaneous Information
Debt Not
Four Fisticuffs
Mutual Loathing
Rollicking Braggadocio
Four Fisticuffs
Mutual Loathing
Rollicking Braggadocio
—————————————————
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
白 山
White, Mountain
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
白 山
White, Mountain
—————————————————
Section Eight
Miscellaneous Activities
Miscellaneous Activities
(Top to bottom; right to left)
厠 庫 倉
Toilet, Storehouse, Granary
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