Click here for the introduction to the Round and Square series "Calendars and Almanacs"
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: ⇦⇦⇦⇦⇦
11/5......................................................................................................................10/28
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. 11/5......................................................................................................................10/28
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
卅
一
五期星
Tenth Month, Thirty-First Day
Astral Period Five
Friday, October 31
Friday, October 31
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Section Two
Beneficent Stars
Section Two
Beneficent Stars
(top to bottom, right to left)
德歲
日支
日支
Generational Branch
Virtuous Days
Virtuous Days
—————————————————
Section Three
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
中凶凶
酉己丑
Auspicious Hours
(top to bottom, right to left)
申辰子
中凶凶
酉己丑
中凶吉
戌午寅
中中吉
亥未卯
中中吉
亥未卯
中吉吉
23:00-01:00 Inauspicious
01:00-03:00 Auspicious
03:00-05:00 Auspicious
05:00-07:00 Auspicious
07:00-09:00 Inauspicious
09:00-11:00 Inauspicious
11:00-13:00 In-Between
13:00-15:00 Auspicious
15:00-17:00 In-Between
17:00-19:00 In-Between
19:00-21:00 In-Between
21:00-23:00 In-Between
01:00-03:00 Auspicious
03:00-05:00 Auspicious
05:00-07:00 Auspicious
07:00-09:00 Inauspicious
09:00-11:00 Inauspicious
11:00-13:00 In-Between
13:00-15:00 Auspicious
15:00-17:00 In-Between
17:00-19:00 In-Between
19:00-21:00 In-Between
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)
Activities to Avoid
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
忌
嫁栽
娶種
Planting and Cultivating
Marriage Alliances
嫁栽
娶種
Planting and Cultivating
Marriage Alliances
—————————————————
Section Five
Cosmological Information
Section Five
Cosmological Information
初
八
乙
乙
亥
火
火
亢
除
除
Eighth Day (Intercalary Ninth Lunar Month)
Cyclical day: yihai (12/60)
Phase (element): Fire
Constellation: Neck (2/28)
"Day Personality" Cycle: Discard (2/12)
—————————————————
Section Six
Appropriate Activities
(and Miscellaneous Information
(top-to-bottom; right to left)
宜
開會
市友
上裁
樑衣
安理
牀髮
作醫
灶病
土
符
重上
日兀
開會
市友
上裁
樑衣
安理
牀髮
作醫
灶病
土
符
重上
日兀
————
Appropriate Activities
Meeting Friends
Appropriate Activities
Meeting Friends
Cutting-out Clothing
Patterning Hair
Physician Treatments
Opening Markets
Putting-up Beams
Positioning Beds
Stove Work
Earth Charm
Baleful Astral Influences
Upper Amputee
Doubled Days
Doubled Days
————
Section Seven
Inauspicious Stars
(right to left)
人 林
Person, Copse
————
(right to left)
人 林
Person, Copse
————
Section Eight
Miscellaneous Information
碓
牀 磨
Pestle
Bed, Mortar