Tung Shing

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Tung Shing
Tungshing.jpg
Traditional Chinese 通勝
Simplified Chinese 通胜

Tung Shing (simplified Chinese: 通胜; traditional Chinese: 通勝; pinyin: Tōngshèng; Wade–Giles: T'ung1-sheng4) is a Chinese divination guide and almanac. It consists primarily of a calendar based on the Chinese lunar year.

History

Tung Shing originated from Wong Lik (黃曆, the "Yellow Calendar"), which is rumoured to have been written by the Yellow Emperor. It has changed its form numerous times throughout the years during all the dynasties; the latest version was said to have been edited by the Qing dynasty and was called the Tung Shu (通書). Tung (通) means "myriad" or "all", Shu (書) means "book", so Tung Shu literally meant "All-knowing Book". However, in Cantonese Chinese and Mandarin Chinese, the pronunciation of the word for "book" is a homophone of a word for defeated (輸), so Tung Shu sounded like "Defeated in All Things" (通輸). Therefore, the name was changed to Tung Shing (通勝), which means "Victorious in All Things".[1]

Contents

Most of the contents of the book deals with what is suitable to do on each day. Some Chinese families still follow these days for wedding ceremonies, funerals, etc.

Tung Shing is also used by many fung shui practitioners and destiny diviners to compliment other date selection methods for selecting dates and times for important events like marriages, official opening ceremonies, house moving-in and big contract signings, as well as smaller events like time to start renovations or travel.

The most common use of Tung Shing is in choosing a wedding date. Tung Shing contains information on the auspicious and inauspicious days for weddings and/or engagements. In addition, it provides the auspicious timing in which to carry out such activities.

Tung Shing also provide a conversion of years and date between the lunar year and the common year. In more detailed versions, the calendar will list eclipses (both solar and lunar), the start of each season, and days when it will be cold or hot. It also teaches ethics and values through stories.

Tung Shing sold in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are based on two late-Qing versions.[2][3] It[clarification needed] is known for its English definitions and words transliterated into Cantonese characters.

Gallery

  • Cover of 2010 通勝 Tōngshèng

Other specialties

  • Interpret one's fate
  • Measure one's soul weight (requires Four Pillars of Destiny)
  • Face reading and palm reading charts
  • "For many centuries the T'ung Shu was known as the Farmers' Almanac, and most of its practical information was geared to weather, crops, sowing, harvesting and so forth."[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Palmer 1986, p. 9.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  4. ↑ Palmer 1986, p. 10

External links

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