Chinese date selection plays a significant role in Chinese culture and is crucial for planning essential life events. This practice, deeply rooted in Chinese metaphysics and classical feng shui, is widely consulted by individuals, families, and businesses. Mastering this art requires extensive knowledge of Chinese astrology, dong gong, and qi men dun jia, among other Chinese metaphysics subjects. Many enthusiasts pursue this field through academic programs such as Asian studies, contemporary art, and art history. Institutions like Peking University offer courses that cover traditional Chinese art, including Chinese painting. Renowned experts like Joey Yap, a feng shui master and master trainer at Yap Global Consulting, provide practical applications of feng shui principles. International students can even pursue Chinese studies with Chinese government scholarship. Feng shui holds great significance in Chinese culture, as evidenced by its profound impact on fine art and Asian art across various historical periods, including the Ming Dynasty. Overall, Chinese date selection and feng shui have become global subjects with wide-ranging implications for individuals and organizations.
What does Tong Shu mean?
The Tong Shu, a Chinese almanac or calendar, has been used for centuries as a guidebook in various aspects of life. It encompasses astrology, fortune-telling, agriculture, and personal activities, making it a valuable resource for events like weddings, business ventures, and home renovations. This traditional Chinese art, rooted in feng shui and Chinese metaphysics, holds practical applications and is highly regarded by practitioners worldwide. Its influence extends to disciplines such as Chinese astrology, Chinese painting, and Chinese calligraphy. Both international students and Chinese culture enthusiasts study these subjects at institutions like the Mastery Academy. The Tong Shu’s significance is comparable to fine art in Western and European art history. It is even treasured by scholars examining visual culture and related articles, including Buddhist art and Emperor Huizong’s contributions to the Palace Museum. Its impact transcends borders, with organizations like Yap Global Consulting sharing its teachings globally.
What is the Chinese date selection?
Chinese date selection, also referred to as the Chinese calendar or the almanac, is a traditional practice deeply rooted in Chinese culture. It involves meticulously selecting auspicious dates and times for important events or activities based on the Chinese lunar calendar. By considering various factors such as feng shui, Chinese astrology, and Chinese metaphysics, individuals aim to enhance success, prosperity, and harmony in different aspects of life.
The Chinese calendar is a unique lunisolar calendar that combines the moon and sun cycles. It consists of a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with an animal sign, and a 60-year cycle composed of combinations of animal signs and elemental energies. This intricate system forms the foundation of Chinese metaphysics and plays a significant role in date selection.
In Chinese date selection, practitioners consider several elements to determine auspicious dates. These include the individual’s birth chart, which is based on Chinese astrology and provides insights into one’s personality and destiny. Additionally, the combination of animal signs and elements for the specific year, month, day, and time is considered. Other astrological and traditional beliefs are also considered to influence the energy and outcome of an event or activity.
The Traditional Chinese Date-Selection and the 12-Day Officers
Traditional Chinese date selection methods, closely related to feng shui and Chinese metaphysics, can often be perceived as mysterious. People often wonder how these methods determine which activities are considered lucky or unlucky for each day. Is there a theory behind it all?
In fact, traditional date selection is based on several significant theories that form the foundation of this practice. One such theory is the 12-Day Officers. Other theories include the 28 traditional stars, purple-white flying stars, the 5-elements, and many more. Most Feng Shui calendars incorporate multiple theories, so there may be differences when comparing different versions of calendars for determining lucky and unlucky activities on specific dates. However, the 12-Day Officers theory is widely used in all traditional calendars as it is considered a fundamental date-selection theory.
What is the 12-Day Officers Theory?
The 12-Day Officers, known as the 12 Gods (Establish, Remove, Full, Balance, Settle, Execute, Break, Danger, Success, Receive, Open, and Close), are integral to classical Feng Shui and Chinese metaphysics. They follow a specific order and possess different energies. This concept is essential in Chinese culture and related subjects such as Chinese astrology, Qi Men Dun Jia, and practical applications.
The Earthly Branches and Heavenly Stems
To truly understand the Chinese art of date selection and other aspects of Chinese metaphysics, knowledge of the 12 Earthly Branches and 10 Heavenly Stems is essential. These correspond to months, directions, Yin/Yang, five elements, and more. Each date, month, and year uniquely combines Stem and Branch names. For example, 2023 is the Year of Gui Mao, representing the Heavenly Stem Gui and Earthly Branch Mao. Similarly, 2024 is the Wood Dragon year, known as Jia Chen.
The 12-Day Officers: Meanings and Related Lucky/Unlucky Activities
The following information discusses the 12-Day Officers, masters of the Chinese art of date selection. It explains their functions and the positive/negative energies associated with each day, excluding Success and Destruction days. It also covers their characteristics, suitable activities, and relevance to subjects like Feng Shui, Chinese metaphysics, Chinese astrology, and Chinese painting. These topics are intertwined with renowned figures such as Joey Yap, Chen Hongshou, Emperor Huizong, and the Palace Museum. The content also touches on related articles, Asian studies, international students, and practical applications in contemporary art and global organizations.
12-Day Officers Key Points to Remember:
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- Each of the 12 officers plays a specific role in Qi, according to the masters of the Chinese art of date selection.
- Positive and negative energy can be present daily except for Success and Destruction days.
- The 12 officers and their suitable activities are as follows:
- Establish (Jian): Suitable for new jobs, business transactions, and proposing marriage.
- Remove (Chu): Used for cleansing activities or ending relationships.
- Full (Man): Suitable for signing agreements, official openings, and housewarming.
- Balance (Ping): Good for marriage, construction work, and business negotiations.
- Stable (Ding): Suitable for long-term activities like marriage, business start-up, and treatment.
- Initiate (Zhi): Used for starting new projects or signing agreements.
- Destruction (Po): Suitable for activities involving demolition.
- Danger (Wei): Avoid high-risk or dangerous activities on this day.
- Success (Cheng): The most auspicious day for marriage, proposals, business proposals, moving, and burial.
- Receive (Shou): Used to attain rewards, start new jobs, close deals, and propose marriage.
- Open (Kai): Suitable for housewarming, creating new jobs, and assuming new roles.
- Close (Bi): Qi is at its lowest point. Avoid major activities.
