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 6.............................................................................................................July 30 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)
卅
一
三期星
Seventh Month, Thirty-first Day
Astral Period Three
Wednesday, July 31
Wednesday, July 31
————————————————
Section Two
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
(top to bottom, right to left)
(top to bottom, right to left)
不歲
將德
將德
Generational Virtue
Not General
Not General
—————————————————
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
中中凶
中吉凶
亥未卯
凶吉吉
01:00-03:00 Inauspicious
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)
土田
Activities to Avoid
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
忌
動買土田
Buying Land
Moving Soil
Moving Soil
—————————————————
Section Five
Cosmological Information
Cosmological Information
廿
四
戊
戌
木
參
平
四
戊
戌
木
參
平
Twenty-fourth Day (sixth lunar month)
Cyclical day: wuxu (35/60)
Phase (element): Wood
Constellation: Mix (21/28)
"Day Personality" Cycle: Level (4/12)
—————————————————
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
嫁
娶
結
綱
死土
神符
復河
喪魁
娶
結
綱
死土
神符
復河
喪魁
Appropriate Activities
Marriage Alliances
Binding Nets
Miscellaneous Information
Earth Charm
River Stalwart
Death Spirit
Mourning Again
————
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
白 鬼
White, Ghost
白 鬼
White, Ghost
—————————————————
Section Eight
Miscellaneous Activities
Miscellaneous Activities
(Top to bottom; right to left)
房
栖 牀
House
Perch, Bed
房
栖 牀
House
Perch, Bed
