Tung Shing

Tung Shing (Chinese: 通勝) is a Chinese divination guide and almanac. It consists primarily of a calendar based on the Chinese lunar year.

Tung Shing
Traditional Chinese通勝
Simplified Chinese通胜
Tung Shing
Traditional Chinese通書
Tung Shing
Traditional Chinese農民曆

History

Tung Shing originated from Wong Lik (黃曆, the "Yellow Calendar"), which legend attributes to 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 under the Qing dynasty and was called the Tung Shu (通書). Tung (通) means "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 complement 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 is known for its English definitions and words transliterated into Cantonese characters.

  • Cover of a version of 通勝 Tung Shing from year 2010
    Cover of a version of 通勝 Tung Shing from year 2010

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. 梁玉芳 (2008-12-04). 全台最暢銷 農民曆年印600萬本. 聯合報. Archived from the original on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  3. 梁玉芳 (2008-12-04). 院士黃一農：古人賣黃曆像麥當勞. 聯合報. Archived from the original on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  4. Palmer 1986, p. 10.
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