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 June 7.....................................................................................................May 31 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)
一六
日月
六期星
Sixth Month, First day
Astral Period Six
Saturday, June 1
————————————————
Section Two
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
(top to bottom, right to left)
(top to bottom, right to left)
解歲
神德
神德
Generational Virtue
Untangling Spirits
Untangling Spirits
—————————————————
Section Three
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
吉凶中
酉己丑
戌午寅
中中吉
中吉凶
亥未卯
凶吉吉
01:00-03:00 Auspicious
03:00-05:00 Inauspicious
05:00-07:00 Auspicious
07:00-09:00 Inauspicious
09:00-11:00 In-Between
11:00-13:00 Auspicious
13:00-15:00 Auspicious
15:00-17:00 Auspicious
17:00-19:00 In-Between
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)
業田
Activities to Avoid
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
忌
置買業田
Buying Land
Setting-up Industry
Setting-up Industry
—————————————————
Section Five
Cosmological Information
Cosmological Information
廿
三
戊
戌
三
戊
戌
木
胃
胃
執
Twenty-third Day (fourth lunar month)
Cyclical day: wuxu (35/60)
Phase (element): Wood
Constellation: Stomach (17/28)
"Day Personality" Cycle: Grasp (6/12)
—————————————————
Section Six
Appropriate Activities
(and Miscellaneous Information)
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
宜
移祭
徙祀
理會
髮友
動嫁
土娶
上納
樑采
Appropriate Activities
(and Miscellaneous Information)
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
宜
移祭
徙祀
理會
髮友
動嫁
土娶
上納
樑采
月
忌
忌
天小
賊耗
賊耗
Appropriate Activities
Paying Reverence
Meeting Friends
Marriage Alliances
Grain Payments
Moving Residences
Patterning Hair
Moving Soil
Erecting Beams
Lunar Taboo
Miscellaneous Information
Small Squander
Heavenly Thief
Paying Reverence
Meeting Friends
Marriage Alliances
Grain Payments
Moving Residences
Patterning Hair
Moving Soil
Erecting Beams
Lunar Taboo
Miscellaneous Information
Small Squander
Heavenly Thief
—————————————————
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
白 地
White, Earth
白 地
White, Earth
—————————————————
Section Eight
Miscellaneous Activities
Miscellaneous Activities
(Top to bottom; right to left)
房
栖 牀
House
Perch, Bed
栖 牀
House
Perch, Bed
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