Calendar & Solar Terms
53 entries in total
- Jieqi (Solar Terms)
- The moment when the sun moves 15 degrees along the ecliptic, there are 24 in a year. The month pillar in Bazi (Eight Characters) uses the 'Jie' (solar term) as its boundary.
- True Solar Time
- Time based on the actual position of the local sun, with noon occurring at the moment the sun is at its highest point. It can differ from clock time by several tens of minutes.
- Jian Day
- The first of the Twelve Day Officers, where the day's Earthly Branch matches the month's ruling branch. Traditionally considered auspicious for starting journeys or taking office, but inauspicious for groundbreaking or opening granaries.
- Chu Day
- One of the twelve Jianchu (Establishment and Removal) spirits, meaning 'to remove the old and bring in the new.' Traditionally suitable for housecleaning, seeking medical treatment, or termination of agreements, but inauspicious for travel or marriage.
- Full Day
- One of the 'Twelve Officers of the Jianchu' system, signifying 'fullness and abundance'. Traditionally, it was suitable for rituals and opening businesses, but avoided for taking medicine and planting.
- Pingri
- One of the Twelve Officers (建除十二神), meaning 'ordinary and unremarkable'. Traditionally suitable for mending walls and paving roads; unfavorable for digging canals or releasing water.
- Ding
- One of the Twelve Spirits of Jianchu, signifying 'stability and immobility'. Traditionally auspicious for marriage and house construction, but inauspicious for lawsuits and travel.
- Holding Day
- One of the Twelve Generals of the Chinese Almanac, signifying 'holding control'. Traditionally, it is considered auspicious for activities like catching criminals or constructing houses, but inauspicious for opening a business or moving.
- Destruction Day (Pò Rì)
- One of the twelve Day Spirits (Jiànchú Shí'èr Shén) in the almanac, considered the most inauspicious day. Traditionally, it was only suitable for demolishing dilapidated buildings, breaking down walls, and seeking medical treatment; all other activities were taboo.
- Wei Day
- One of the Twelve Day Officers (Jianchu), representing 'danger and caution.' Traditionally, it was advised to avoid high places, boat travel, and journeys on this day. ⚠️ This is distinct from the 'Wei' lodge of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, though written with the same character.
- Cheng Day
- One of the Twelve Spirits of Building and Elimination, meaning 'achievement and completeness.' Traditionally suitable for opening businesses, enrolling in studies, and marriage; unfavorable for litigation.
- Day of Reaping
- One of the Twelve Day Officers (建除十二神), named for the meaning of 'reaping and storing'. Traditionally suitable for receiving wealth or adding a family member, but unfavorable for travel or burial.
- Kai Day
- One of the twelve Day Officers (建除十二神), meaning 'open and unobstructed.' Traditionally, it was considered auspicious for opening a business, starting school, or praying for blessings, but inauspicious for burial or groundbreaking.
- Bi Day
- One of the Twelve Officers of the Chinese almanac, signifying 'closing and storing'. Traditionally, it was considered auspicious for building dikes and blocking holes, and inauspicious for opening markets, traveling, or seeking medical treatment.
- Horn Mansion (Jiǎo Xiù)
- The first lodge of the Twenty-Eight Lodges, belonging to the Eastern Azure Dragon. The Seven Governors match Wood, and the beast is the jiao (flood dragon). It is often classified as an auspicious lodge in almanacs.
- Neck Mansion (Kàng Xiù)
- The second of the 28 Lunar Mansions, part of the Eastern Azure Dragon constellation. Associated with metal and symbolized by the dragon. Often considered an inauspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Root Mansion (Dī Xiù)
- The third of the twenty-eight lunar mansions, belonging to the Eastern Azure Dragon. Its planetary association is Earth, and its animal symbol is the raccoon dog. It is often classified as a malevolent mansion in almanacs.
- Room Mansion (Fáng Xiù)
- The fourth of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, belonging to the Azure Dragon of the East. In the Seven Governors system, it is associated with the sun; its symbolic creature is the rabbit. It is generally classified as an auspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Heart Mansion (Xīn Xiù)
- The fifth of the twenty-eight lunar mansions, part of the Eastern Azure Dragon. Associated with the Moon in the seven luminaries, and its symbolic creature is the fox. It is generally considered an inauspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Tail Mansion (Wěi Xiù)
- The sixth of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, belonging to the Eastern Azure Dragon. Associated with the Fire element in the Seven Governors, and its symbolic animal is the tiger. It is generally considered a fortunate lodge in almanacs.
- Winnowing Basket Mansion (Jī Xiù)
- One of the 28 lunar mansions, the 7th, belonging to the Eastern Azure Dragon. Associated with the element Water and the animal leopard, it is generally considered an auspicious mansion in traditional almanacs.
- Dipper Mansion (Dǒu Xiù)
- The eighth of the twenty-eight lunar mansions, belonging to the Northern Black Tortoise. It is associated with the Wood element among the Seven Luminaries, and its symbolic animal is the Xiè (a mythical one-horned goat). Almanacs generally classify it as an auspicious mansion.
- Ox Mansion (Niú Xiù)
- The ninth of the 28 Lunar Mansions, belonging to the northern Black Tortoise. Associated with metal in the Seven Governors, its symbolic animal is the ox. It is generally considered an unlucky mansion in almanacs.
- Girl Mansion (Nǚ Xiù)
- The 10th of the 28 Mansions, part of the Northern Black Tortoise. Associated with Earth among the Seven Governors and the bat in animal symbolism. It is generally classified as an inauspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Emptiness Mansion (Xū Xiù)
- The 11th of the 28 Lunar Mansions, belonging to the northern Black Tortoise (Xuánwǔ). In the Seven Governors system it is paired with the Sun. Its symbolic creature is the Rat. Almanacs generally classify it as an inauspicious mansion.
- Rooftop Mansion (Wēi Xiù)
- The twelfth of the Twenty-eight Lodges, belonging to the Northern Black Tortoise (Xuanwu). In the Seven Governors system, it is paired with the Moon; its associated animal is the swallow. Almanacs generally classify it as an inauspicious lodge. ⚠️ Note: While it shares the character 'wei' (危) with the 'Danger Day' (危日) of the Jianchu Twelve Spirits system, they are distinct and unrelated systems.
- Encampment Mansion (Shì Xiù)
- The 13th of the 28 Lunar Mansions, belonging to the northern Black Tortoise. It is matched with the Fire element among the Seven Governors, and its animal is the Pig. Almanacs mostly classify it as an auspicious lodge.
- Wall Mansion (Bì Xiù)
- The 14th of the Twenty-eight Mansions, belonging to the northern Black Tortoise (Xuanwu). In the system of the Seven Governors (七政), it is associated with Water (Shui). Its associated animal is the mythical beast Xù. It is generally considered an auspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Legs Mansion (Kuí Xiù)
- The 15th of the 28 Chinese lunar mansions, belonging to the Western White Tiger. It is associated with the Wood element and the wolf spirit. In traditional almanacs, it is generally classified as an inauspicious mansion.
- Bond Mansion (Lóu Xiù)
- The sixteenth of the Twenty-eight Mansions, belonging to the Western White Tiger. Its planetary association is metal, and its associated animal is the dog. It is generally classified as an auspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Stomach Mansion (Wèi Xiù)
- The seventeenth of the 28 Lunar Mansions, belonging to the White Tiger of the West. Its planetary correspondence is Earth, and its symbolic animal is the pig. It is generally considered an auspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Hairy Head Mansion (Mǎo Xiù)
- The 18th Lunar Mansion of the 28 Mansions, belonging to the Western White Tiger. It is associated with the Sun in the Seven Luminaries system, and its symbolic animal is the rooster. It is generally classified as an inauspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Net Mansion (Bì Xiù)
- The nineteenth of the twenty-eight lunar mansions, belonging to the Western White Tiger. It is associated with the Moon among the Seven Governors (七政) and the Crow among the symbolic birds. It is often classified as an auspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Turtle Beak Mansion (Zī Xiù)
- The 20th of the 28 Lunar Mansions, part of the Western White Tiger. Associated with the Fire element among the Seven Governors, its symbolic animal is the monkey. It is generally classified as an inauspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Three Stars Mansion (Shēn Xiù)
- The 21st lunar mansion of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, belonging to the White Tiger of the West. Its planetary correspondence is Water, and its symbolic animal is the ape. It is generally considered an auspicious mansion in traditional almanacs.
- Well Mansion (Jǐng Xiù)
- The 22nd of the 28 lunar mansions, belonging to the Southern Vermilion Bird. Its planetary association is Jupiter, and its symbolic animal is the ān (a mythical beast). Almanacs typically classify it as an auspicious mansion.
- Ghost Mansion (Guǐ Xiù)
- The twenty-third of the 28 lunar mansions, belonging to the southern Vermilion Bird. Associated with the metal planet (Venus) among the Seven Governors, and its animal is the sheep. Almanacs often classify it as an inauspicious mansion.
- Willow Mansion (Liǔ Xiù)
- The twenty-fourth of the twenty-eight lunar mansions, belonging to the southern Vermilion Bird. Its planetary association is Earth, and its animal symbol is the river deer. It is generally classified as an inauspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Star Mansion (Xīng Xiù)
- The 25th of the 28 Lunar Mansions, belonging to the southern Vermillion Bird. Associated with the sun among the Seven Governors, its symbolic animal is the horse. Almanacs often classify it as an inauspicious mansion.
- Extended Net Mansion (Zhāng Xiù)
- The 26th of the 28 Lunar Mansions, belonging to the southern Vermilion Bird. It is associated with the Moon in the Seven Governors system, and its symbolic animal is the deer. It is generally classified as auspicious in almanacs.
- Wings Mansion (Yì Xiù)
- The 27th of the 28 Lunar Mansions, belonging to the Southern Vermilion Bird. Its governing planet is Fire and its symbolic animal is the snake. It is generally classified as an inauspicious mansion in almanacs.
- Chariot Mansion (Zhěn Xiù)
- It is the twenty-eighth of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, belonging to the Southern Vermilion Bird. Its planetary association is Water, and its symbolic creature is the earthworm. Almanacs generally classify it as an auspicious mansion.
- Twelve Duty Gods
- The twelve spirits on daily rotation, divided into six auspicious Yellow Road gods (Azure Dragon, Bright Hall, Golden Casket, Heavenly Virtue, Jade Hall, and Life Governor) and six inauspicious Black Road gods (Heavenly Punishment, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Heavenly Prison, Dark Warrior, and Twisted Snake). The 'Duty God' column in the almanac indicates which spirit is on duty that day.
- Yellow Road Day
- A day when the ruling deity is one of the Six Yellow Road Deities. Traditionally considered a day when most things go smoothly; the term "auspicious day" (黃道吉日) originates from this.
- Heidao Day
- A day when the ruling deity is one of the six Heidao spirits. Traditionally seen as a day requiring selective action, not a day where all activities are forbidden.
- Jianchu Twelve Spirits
- The twelve terms—Jian, Chu, Man, Ping, Ding, Zhi, Po, Wei, Cheng, Shou, Kai, Bi—rotate daily, changing monthly with the 'Jie' (solar term), and their boundary aligns with the month pillar in Bazi. It is one of the primary bases for determining auspicious and inauspicious days in the Chinese almanac.
- Twenty-eight Lunar Mansions
- Divide the stars near the celestial equator into twenty-eight groups, with one mansion taking duty each day. They are grouped into four images: Azure Dragon of the East, Black Tortoise of the North, White Tiger of the West, and Vermilion Bird of the South, each with seven mansions, each assigned one of the Seven Luminaries (Sun, Moon, and five planets) and an animal.
- Taishen (Fetal God)
- In old custom, the Taishen is believed to dwell daily at a specific spot in the home, where renovations or disturbances are forbidden that day. The almanac records its location in the format 'object + direction', e.g., 'mortar-mill-bed outer southwest'.
- clash
- When the earthly branch of the day clashes with the earthly branch of a particular zodiac animal. The six clashes are: Rat-Horse, Ox-Goat, Tiger-Monkey, Rabbit-Rooster, Dragon-Dog, Snake-Pig. A note in the almanac saying 'clash Horse' means people born in the Year of the Horse are clashed on that day.
- Sha Direction
- The direction where the sha (malefic influence) is located, derived from the triple-combination (Sanhe) of the day's earthly branch (Dizhi): Shen-Zi-Chen days sha is south, Si-You-Chou days sha is east, Yin-Wu-Xu days sha is north, Hai-Mao-Wei days sha is west. In old times, this direction was avoided for groundbreaking and long journeys.
- Peng Zu's Hundred Taboos
- A set of taboos in couplet form, with one saying for the Heavenly Stem and one for the Earthly Branch for each day (e.g., 'Jia, do not open granaries'; 'Zi, do not consult divination'). Traditionally attributed to Peng Zu, the exact origin is unknown.
- Auspicious Spirits to Approach
- The list of auspicious spirits on duty for the day. Due to the vast number of spirits, different almanacs use different sets, so the lists often differ.
- Malevolent Spirit Taboos
- List of malevolent spirits on duty for the day. When they coexist with auspicious deities, different schools have varying rules on which carries greater weight, which is the primary reason why different almanacs give opposite 'suitable' and 'avoid' advice.