Main Contents of a Tong Shu
The Chinese Almanac Tong Shu, also Tong Sheng, or simply Chinese Calendar is an ancient, highly detailed day-selection manual
used in Feng Shui, BaZi, Chinese metaphysics, and traditional life planning.
The Chinese Almanac Tong Shu provides valuable information for finding auspicious dates, along with BaZi and Feng Shui insights.
Today, it's used widely in Feng Shui, BaZi, wedding planning, house moving, renovations, business openings, etc.
It is not just a calendar, but a powerful reference guide for:
- Choosing auspicious dates and times
- Avoiding inauspicious activities
- Aligning daily activities with Heaven, Earth, and Humanenergies
Here are the main contents typically found in a Tong Shu.
1. Daily Auspicious and Inauspicious Activities 今日宜忌 (Jin Ri Yi Ji)
- Lists every day in Lunar and Solar Calendars.
- Shows the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch of the day.
- Lists Zodiac clashes (e.g., Clash Ox bad for people born in Ox year).
- Lists what activities are suitable and to be avoided on a particular day.
- Provides Auspicious vs. Inauspicious activities
For exanple:
Auspicious Activities (宜, Yi):
- Marriage (嫁娶, Jia Qu)
- Moving / Relocation (搬迁, Ban Qian)
- Business Opening (开市, Kai Shì)
- Travel (出行, Chu Xíng)
- Signing Agreements (订盟, Dìng Meng)
Inauspicious Activities (忌, Ji):
- Funerals (安葬, An Zang)
- Demolition (破土, Po Tu)
- Litigation (诉讼, Su Song)
- Major Construction (动土, Dong Tu)
- Hosting Banquets (宴会, Yan Huì)
2. Master Dong Gong Date Selection (董公择日)
Master Dong Gong, a renowned traditional Chinese date selection master, developed a systematic method
to determine auspicious dates. His teachings are applied in daily calendars,
helping users choose favorable days for activities based on BaZi, Feng Shui, and the 12 Day Officers.
Master Dong Gong’s expertise spanned the 60-year JiaZi cycle (甲子) for each of the 12 Solar Months,
and he conducted in-depth analyses of:
- 12 Day Officers (建除十二神, Jian Chu Shi Er Shen)
- 28 Lunar Mansions (二十八宿, Er Shi Ba Xiu)
- Gods and Killings (神煞, Shen Sha)
By systematically correlating these methods, Master Dong Gong was able to integrate them into his treatise on Date Selection, which is today regarded as one of the cornerstones of traditional Chinese date selection practices.
Our integrated Chinese Almanac combines Traditional Tong Shu and Master Dong (董公) Date Selection
to give you precise guidance for choosing favorable dates.
For more details on
✅ Master Dong Gong Date Selection (董公择日)
3. 12 Day Officers (建除十二神, Jian Chu Shi Er Shen)
Chinese Date Selection assigns a specific energy, or "Day Officer," to each day in a repeating 12-day cycle.
The names of these 12 Day Officers are derived from the twelve types of Qi that govern the flow of energy on that day,
based on the interaction between the Day Branch and the Month Branch.
The 12 Day Officers in Chinese Alamanac "Tong Shu" is an entry level date selection technique in both FengShui and
BaZi Four Pillars of Destiny. This is essential for separating generic usable dates from good usable dates. This method is translated into 12 Day Officers or Deities. "Deity" here has no relation to spirit or godly features. There are used in both FengShui applications and BaZi Four Pillars of Destiny analysis.
When a particular day's branch is the same as the month's branch, the officer is called "Establish (Jian)".
This means an Establish (Jian) will always have the same earthly branch for that particular month.
And the following days are derived from the following sequence.
They are
3.1. Establish 建 (Jian)
- Auspicious for - Starting new projects, opening business, signing contracts.
- Inauspicious for - Demolition, moving house.
3.2. Remove 除 (Chu)
- Auspicious for - Getting rid of unwanted things, cleansing rituals, exorcism.
- Inauspicious for - Weddings, opening.
3.3. Full 满 (Man)
- Auspicious for - Celebration, marriage, moving house, promotion.
- Inauspicious for - Lawsuits, arguments.
3.4. Balance 平 (Ping)
- Auspicious for - General use, peaceful activities, small actions.
- Inauspicious for - Big decisions, surgery.
3.5. Stable 定 (Ding)
- Auspicious for - Marriage, engagement, signing contracts, starting classes.
- Inauspicious for - Moving house.
3.6. Initiate 执 (Zhi)
- Auspicious for - Long-term tasks, meetings, contracts, investments.
- Inauspicious for - Travel, burial.
3.7. Destruction 破 (Po)
- Auspicious for - Demolition, letting go, divorce, ending a cycle.
- Inauspicious for - Marriage, starting.
3.8. Danger 危 (Wei)
- Auspicious for - Spiritual practices, meditation, rituals.
- Inauspicious for - Major decisions, marriage.
3.9. Success 成 (Cheng)
- Auspicious for - Most auspicious : weddings, business, travel, move, open store.
- Inauspicious for - Divorce, destruction.
3.10. Receive 收 (Shou)
- Auspicious for - Harvest, collecting money, receiving honors.
- Inauspicious for - Lending, giving things away.
3.11. Open 開 (Kai)
- Auspicious for - Opening, launching, travel, celebration.
- Inauspicious for - Legal matters.
3.12. Close 閉 (Bi)
- Auspicious for - Rest, sealing things, closing deals, repairs.
- Inauspicious for - Starting, marriage.
12 Day Officers - General Usage Tips
- Success 成 (Cheng) is widely considered the most auspicious for nearly all positive undertakings.
- Destruction 破 (Po) is the most inauspicious - best for destruction or endings.
- Use Establish 建 (Jian), Stable 定 (Ding), Success 成 (Cheng), Open 開 (Kai) for initiating.
- Use Full 满 (Man) for Celebration.
- Use Remove 除 (Chu), Destruction 破 (Po), Close 閉 (Bi) for cleansing or ending.
- Balance 平 (Ping) and Danger 危 (Wei) are neutral, but used with caution.
4. The 28 Constellations 二十八宿 (Er Shi Ba Xiu)
They divide the sky into 28 segments and are deeply embedded in Date Selection (择日 Ze Ri), BaZi, and Xuan Kong Feng Shui systems.
These 28 Constellations is known as Lunar Mansions or Xiu. Each corresponds to a specific star group, Chinese animal, and element.
The Moon passes through one mansion approximately each day, forming a 28-day cycle.
Used in Chinese metaphysics to assess the quality of a day - for actions like marriage, moving house, renovations, etc.
The 28 Constellations are grouped into Four Celestial Animals Four Xiang. They are:
East - Azure Dragon - Wood : Symbolizes spring, growth, and rising energy.
4.1. 角宿 Jiao Xiu
- Horn
- Noble, scholarly, auspicious
4.2. 亢宿 Kang Xiu
- Neck
- Proud, stubborn, aggressive
4.3. 氐宿 Di Xiu
- Foundation
- Stable, grounding, constructive
4.4. 房宿 Fang Xiu
- House
- Fertile, domestic, joyful
4.5. 心宿 Xin Xiu
- Heart
- Emotional, romantic, spiritual
4.6. 尾宿 Wei Xiu
- Tail
- Completion, finalization
4.7. 箕宿 Ji Xiu
- Basket
- Talkative, sharp, gossipy
North - Black Tortoise - Water : Symbolizes winter, storage, and stillness.
4.8. 斗宿 Dou Xiu
- Dipper
- Storage, planning, long-term gain
4.9. 牛宿 Niu Xiu
- Ox
- Steady, hardworking, passive
4.10. 女宿 Nu Xiu
- Maiden
- Feminine, modest, reserved
4.11. 虚宿 Xu Xiu
- Void
- Illusory, emptiness, spiritual
4.12. 危宿 Wei Xiu
- Danger
- Dangerous - high, sharp
4.13. 室宿 Shi Xiu
- Room
- Shelter, safety, prosperity
4.14. 壁宿 Bi Xiu
- Wall
- Protective, structured, stable
West - White Tiger - Metal : Symbolizes autumn, metal, and aggression.
4.15. 奎宿 Kui Xiu
- Astride
- Elegant, expressive, intelligent
4.16. 娄宿 Lou Xiu
- Mound
- Binding, careful, strict
4.17. 胃宿 Wei Xiu
- Stomach
- Nourishing, content, indulgent
4.18. 昴宿 Mao Xiu
- Pleiades
- Fierce, combative, impulsive
4.19. 毕宿 Bi Xiu
- Net
- Binding, restricting, organizing
4.20. 觜宿 Zui Xiu
- Beak
- Articulate, critical, sharp
4.21. 参宿 Can Xiu
- Orion
- like, powerful, commanding
South - Vermilion Bird - Fire : Symbolizes summer, fire, and celebration.
4.22. 井宿 Jing Xiu
- Well
- Resourceful, life-giving
4.23. 鬼宿 Gui Xiu
- Ghost
- Yin energy, funerals, spiritual
4.24. 柳宿 Liu Xiu
- Willow
- Flexible, elegant, melancholic
4.25. 星宿 Xing Xiu
- Star
- Bright, hopeful, academic
4.26. 张宿 Zhang Xiu
- Bow
- Expansive, outgoing, success
4.27. 翼宿 Yi Xiu
- Wing
- Fame, honor, artistic
4.28. 轸宿 Zhen Xiu
- Carriage
- Movement, travel, transitions
5. Clash and Conflict Animals (日冲 Ri Chong)
In Tong Shu date selection (择日 Ze Ri), “Clash and Conflict Animals”
refers to the Chinese Zodiac signs (12 animals) that are in conflict with the Day Branch or Tai Sui (太岁).
Every day "clashes" with one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals.
For example,
If the Day Branch is Zi (子, Rat), it clashes with Wu (午, Horse) → Tong Shu will list 冲马 (Chong Ma) = "Clashes with Horse".
People born in the clash sign or performing major tasks on that day should avoid it.
6. Stars and Afflictions (星曜与煞 Xing Yao Yu Sha)
星曜与煞 is commonly used as a header in daily or monthly Tong Shu calendars, Feng Shui guides, and date selection.
星曜 (Xing Yao) refers to celestial or auspicious stars in the Tong Shu / Chinese astrology,
e.g., Heavenly Nobleman (天乙贵人), Gold Lock (金匮), Precious Light (玉堂), etc.
煞 (Sha) → "Afflictions" or inauspicious stars / Sha – refers to negative influences, directional taboos,
or Sha energies like White Tiger (白虎), Three Killings (三煞), Day Harm (日害), Heavenly Punish (天刑), etc.
Auspicious Stars (吉星, Ji Xing) for example:
- Heavenly Nobleman (天乙贵人, Tian Yi Gui Ren)
- Gold Lock (金匮, Jin Gui)
- Precious Light (玉堂, Yu Tang)
Inauspicious Stars (凶星, Xiong Xing) for example:
- White Tiger (白虎, Bai Hu)
- Day Harm (日害, Ri Hai)
- Heavenly Punish (天刑, Tian Xing)
- Road Emptiness / Void (路空, Lu Kong)
Sha (煞, Sha) – Location-based or directional taboos for example:
- Three Killings (三煞, San Sha)
7. Year Breaker (岁破, Sui Po) and Month Breaker (月破 Yue Po)
Year Breaker (岁破, Sui Po)
- The day that clashes with the Year Branch (太岁, Tai Sui).
- Effect: Activities done on a Year Breaker day may face obstacles, setbacks,
or misfortune. Usually avoid major undertakings like moving house, signing contracts, or weddings.
Month Breaker (月破, Yue Po)
- The day that clashes with the Month Branch.
- Similar to Year Breaker but on a monthly scale.
Activities may encounter delays or minor problems. Avoid major ceremonies or business decisions if possible.
How to Use in Practice
The Tong Shu isn't just a traditional book - it's a practical tool for selecting auspicious dates based on your goals.
Whether you're planning a wedding, starting renovations, or choosing a good day for travel, understanding how to read and
apply its symbols, day officers, and activity recommendations can help you align your actions with favorable energies. Here's how to use it in a meaningful, everyday way.
- Check the Tong Shu or Chinese Almanac. It tells you which Officer governs each day.
- Match the activity.Choose a day with an Officer that supports your activity.
- Double-check other factors. Combine with
- Personal BaZi compatibility (most important)
- 12 Animal Clash
- Heavenly Stems/Earthly Branches
- Lunar Mansions
Check the Tong Shu daily to plan your activities with auspicious dates,
enhance your Feng Shui, and harmonize your BaZi energies for a smoother, more prosperous day.
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