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 August 19.....................................................................................................August 11 RIGHT
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)
十
五
四期星
Eighth Month, Fifteenth Day
Astral Period Four
Thursday, August 15
Thursday, August 15
————————————————
Section Two
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
(top to bottom, right to left)
(top to bottom, right to left)
合歲
日德
日德
Generational Virtue
Linked Days
Linked Days
—————————————————
Section Three
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
吉吉吉
酉己丑
戌午寅
吉吉吉
吉中凶
亥未卯
凶凶吉
01:00-03:00 Auspicious
03:00-05:00 Inauspicious
05:00-07:00 Auspicious
07:00-09:00 Auspicious
09:00-11:00 Auspicious
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 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)
徙訟
Activities to Avoid
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
忌
移詞徙訟
Litigation
Moving Residences
Moving Residences
—————————————————
Section Five
Cosmological Information
Cosmological Information
初
九
癸
丑
木
斗
執
九
癸
丑
木
斗
執
Ninth Day (Seventh Lunar Month)
Cyclical day: guichou (50/60)
Phase (element): Wood
Constellation: Dipper (8/28)
"Day Personality" Cycle: Grasp (6/12)
—————————————————
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
動祭
土祀
上出
樑行
開訂
倉婚
安納
葬采
牛
口
下歸
兀忌
土祀
上出
樑行
開訂
倉婚
安納
葬采
牛
口
下歸
兀忌
Appropriate Activities
Venerating Ancestors
Going Out (and about)
Marriage Engagements
Grain Payments
Moving Soil
Erecting Beams
Opening Granaries
Positioning Graves
Ox Mouth
Miscellaneous Information
Going Out (and about)
Marriage Engagements
Grain Payments
Moving Soil
Erecting Beams
Opening Granaries
Positioning Graves
Ox Mouth
Miscellaneous Information
Return Taboo
Lower Amputee
Lower Amputee
————
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
人
Person
Person
—————————————————
Section Eight
Miscellaneous Activities
Miscellaneous Activities
(Top to bottom; right to left)
房
厠 牀
房
厠 牀
House
Toilet, Bed
Toilet, Bed
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