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 February 20...........................................................................................February 13 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 One
Solar Calendar Date
(top to bottom; right to left
十
三
日
四期星
Second Month, Thirteenth Day
Astral Period Four
Thursday, February 13
Thursday, February 13
————————————————
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
(top to bottom, right to left)
玉吉天
宇期貴
宇期貴
Heavenly Nobility
Auspicious Temporality
Jade Expanse
Auspicious Temporality
Jade Expanse
—————————————————
Section Three
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
凶中凶
酉己丑
凶凶中
吉中吉
凶凶中
戌午寅
亥未卯
吉吉吉
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 Inauspicious
11:00-13:00 In-Between
13:00-15:00 Auspicious
15:00-17:00 Inauspicious
17:00-19:00 Inauspicious
19:00-21:00 Auspicious
21:00-23:00 Auspicious
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)
忌
開穿栽池井種
Planting and Cultivating
Boring Wells
Opening Ponds
Boring Wells
Opening Ponds
—————————————————
Section Five
Cosmological Information
十
四
乙
卯
水
井
建
除
四
乙
卯
水
井
建
除
Fourteenth Day (First Lunar Month)
Cyclical day: yimao (52/60)
Phase (element): Water
Constellation: Well (22/28)
"Day Personality" Cycle: Discard (2/12)
—————————————————
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
修嫁祭
造娶祀
動理入
土髮學
安醫會
牀病友
除開出
服市行
池咸
月陰朱
忌將雀
Appropriate Activities
Venerating Ancestors
Entering Study
Meeting Friends
Going Out (and about)
Marriage Alliance
Patterning Hair
Doctor Visits
Opening Markets
Repairing and Building
Moving Soil
Positioning Beds
Discarding Clothing
Entering Study
Meeting Friends
Going Out (and about)
Marriage Alliance
Patterning Hair
Doctor Visits
Opening Markets
Repairing and Building
Moving Soil
Positioning Beds
Discarding Clothing
Widespread Pond
Miscellaneous Information
Vermillion Bird
Yin General
Lunar Taboo
Yin General
Lunar Taboo
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
丫 林
Bifurcation, Copse
————
Bifurcation, Copse
————
Section Eight
Miscellaneous Information
(Top to bottom; right to left)
碓
門 磨
Pestle
Gate, Mortar
Gate, Mortar
No comments:
Post a Comment