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 30....................................................................................May 23 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.
Section OneSolar Calendar Date
(top to bottom; right to left)
廿
五
六期星
Fifth month, twenty-fifth day
Astral Period Six
Saturday, May 25
————————————————
Section Two
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
(top to bottom, right to left)
(top to bottom, right to left)
生時普天
氣陽護德
氣陽護德
Heavenly Virtue
Universal Protection
Timely Yang
Engendered Vapor
Universal Protection
Timely Yang
Engendered Vapor
—————————————————
Section Three
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
中中中
酉己丑
戌午寅
凶吉中
吉吉吉
亥未卯
凶中吉
01:00-03:00 In-Between
03:00-05:00 Auspicious
05:00-07:00 Auspicious
07:00-09:00 In-Between
09:00-11:00 Auspicious
11:00-13:00 Auspicious
13:00-15:00 In-Between
15:00-17:00 In-Between
17:00-19:00 Inauspicious
19:00-21:00 Auspicious
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)
池井酒醬
Activities to Avoid
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
忌
開穿造合池井酒醬
Mixing Sauces
Making Liquor
Boring Wells
Opening Ponds
Making Liquor
Boring Wells
Opening Ponds
—————————————————
Section Five
Cosmological Information
Cosmological Information
十
六
辛
卯
六
辛
卯
木
牛
女
牛
女
開
Sixteenth Day (fourth lunar month)
Cyclical day: xinmao (28/60)
Phase (element): Wood
Constellation: Woman (10/28)
"Day Personality" Cycle: Open (11/12)
—————————————————
Section Six
Appropriate Activities
(and Miscellaneous Information)
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
宜
動理出祭
土髮行祀
上開嫁祈
樑市娶福
作交納入
灶易采學
置修移會
產造徙友
Appropriate Activities
(and Miscellaneous Information)
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
宜
動理出祭
土髮行祀
上開嫁祈
樑市娶福
作交納入
灶易采學
置修移會
產造徙友
兀上
俱天班四
將火煞祥不＊
*Special character used in fortune-telling and almanacs.
將火煞祥不＊
*Special character used in fortune-telling and almanacs.
Appropriate Activities
Venerating Ancestors
Inquiring-into Fortune
Entering Study
Meeting Friends
Going Out (and about)
Marriage Alliances
Grain Payments
Moving Residences
Patterning Hair
Opening Markets
Trade and Commerce
Repairs and Building
Moving Soil
Erecting Beams
Stove Work
Setting-up Industry
Upper Amputee
Miscellaneous Information
Four Not-fortunates
Classified Balefulness
Heavenly Fire
All General
—————————————————
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
丫 人
Bifurcation, Person
丫 人
Bifurcation, Person
—————————————————
Section Eight
Miscellaneous Activities
Miscellaneous Activities
(Top to bottom; right to left)
門 灶 廚
Gate, Stove, Kitchen
Gate, Stove, Kitchen
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