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
April 19
........................................................................................................April 12 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.
Solar Calendar Date
(top to bottom; right to left
十
二
六期星
Fourth Month, Twelfth Day
Astral Period Six
Saturday, April 12
Saturday, April 12
————————————————
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
(top to bottom, right to left)
天益
恩後
恩後
Benefit Back
Heavenly Kindness
Heavenly Kindness
—————————————————
Section Three
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
吉吉凶
酉己丑
酉己丑
吉吉吉
戌午寅
凶中中
戌午寅
凶中中
亥未卯
中凶吉
01:00-03:00 Auspicious
03:00-05:00 In-Between
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 Inauspicious
21:00-23:00 In-Between
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
開詞
倉訟
開詞
倉訟
Lawsuits and Litigation
Opening Granaries
Opening Granaries
—————————————————
Section Five
Cosmological Information
十
三
癸
丑
木
柳
收
三
癸
丑
木
柳
收
Thirteenth Day (Third Lunar Month)
Cyclical day: guichou (50/60)
Phase (element): Wood
Constellation: Willow (24/28)
"Day Personality" Cycle: Receive (10/12)
—————————————————
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
捕
宜
捕
捉
田
獵
作
灶
納
畜
五牛
虛口
河八
魁專
虛口
河八
魁專
Appropriate Activities
Seizing and Capturing
Field Venery
Stove Work
Livestock Payments
Baleful Astral Influences
Field Venery
Stove Work
Livestock Payments
Baleful Astral Influences
Ox Mouth
Eight Specialties
Five Vacancies
River Stalwart
Eight Specialties
Five Vacancies
River Stalwart
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
白 神
White, Spirit
————
(right to left)
白 神
White, Spirit
————
Section Eight
Miscellaneous Information
(Top to bottom; right to left)
房
厠 牀
House
Toilet, Bed
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