What You Can Find In The Chinese Almanac
If you are looking for the best day to get married you might consult the Chinese Almanac or the Tung Shu as it is referred to in the Chinese culture. Used for centuries the Chinese Almanac has been in existence for over 2000 years. The Book of Everything as it is known has 47 sections on just about everything one might encounter in their daily lives.
It was possibly one of the first books ever to be printed using the block printing press in the 7th century AD. It is the longest contiguous book printed for more than 1200 years. In the old days it was often found placed above the main entrance door of Chinese homes. It is said to ward off evil and bring good luck to the family. A new one is purchased every year and the old one is burned.
In Hong Kong alone over a million copies a year are printed and a special ceremony is performed to burn the book from the previous year. Astrologers are sought out to teach people about how to fully understand the book as they have to perform special complex calculations to get the most precise answers.
A complete calendar with the Chinese Festivals is included telling the meaning of each one and the proper conduct to have. There are folk remedies in the book as well as Chinese astrology charts and moral teachings. Divination, palmistry and farming advise can be found in the book. It even has a guide on how to properly pronounce English words.
Since ancient times the almanac has been consulted for a variety of reasons. Tung means to pass through or to make everything clear and this book does just that as it touches on so many topics. Much of the book deals with auspicious and inauspicious days. This is a map to advise people when to wed or to plan many activities.
The components of Feng Shui are interesting in that they have been around for over 3500 years and originate in astronomy. This explains why in ancient times an astrolabe was used in the placement of structures. The five elements of metal, earth, fire, water and wood play an important part in Chinese design. The goal is to provide balance in the yin and yang force fields.
Widely used today, the Chinese Almanac is an indispensable aid to planning the daily lives of many Asian people. It is practical and complex and the topic of study by students and scholars.