Tung shing
Encyclopedia
The Tung Shing is a Chinese divination guide and almanac. It consists primarily of a calendar
based on the Chinese lunar year
.
. 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 means "myriad" or "all", Shu means "book", so Tung Shu literally meant "All-knowing Book". However, in Cantonese and Mandarin, the pronunciation of the word for "book" is a homophone of a word for defeated, so Tung Shu sounded like "Defeated in All Things" (通輸). Therefore the name was changed to Tung Shing (通勝), which meaning "Victorious in All Things".
The most common use of the Tung Shing is in choosing a wedding date. The Tung Shing contains information on the auspicious and inauspicious days for weddings and/or engagements. In addition, it provides the auspicous timing in which to carry out such activities.
The 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 versions in Hong Kong and Taiwan come from two late-Qing versions. It is known for its English definitions and words transliterated into Cantonese characters.
Calendar
A calendar is a system of organizing days for social, religious, commercial, or administrative purposes. This is done by giving names to periods of time, typically days, weeks, months, and years. The name given to each day is known as a date. Periods in a calendar are usually, though not...
based on the Chinese lunar year
Chinese calendar
The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar. It is not exclusive to China, but followed by many other Asian cultures as well...
.
History
The Tung Shing originated from the Wong Lik (黃曆, the "Yellow Calendar"), which is rumoured to have been written by the Yellow EmperorYellow Emperor
The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC...
. 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
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
and was called the Tung Shu (通書). Tung means "myriad" or "all", Shu means "book", so Tung Shu literally meant "All-knowing Book". However, in Cantonese and Mandarin, the pronunciation of the word for "book" is a homophone of a word for defeated, so Tung Shu sounded like "Defeated in All Things" (通輸). Therefore the name was changed to Tung Shing (通勝), which meaning "Victorious in All Things".
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.The most common use of the Tung Shing is in choosing a wedding date. The Tung Shing contains information on the auspicious and inauspicious days for weddings and/or engagements. In addition, it provides the auspicous timing in which to carry out such activities.
The 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 versions in Hong Kong and Taiwan come from two late-Qing versions. It is known for its English definitions and words transliterated into Cantonese characters.
Other specialties
- Interpret one's fate
- Measure one's soul weight (requires Four Pillars of DestinyFour Pillars of DestinyFour Pillars of Destiny is a Chinese and Japanese conceptual term that describes the four components creating a person's destiny or fate. The four components within the moment of birth are year, month, day, and hour...
) - 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."
External links
- Online Tung shing
- List of Auspicious Wedding dates from the 2010 Tung Shu
- T'ung Shu 1986 at Library Thing
- T'ung Shu 1986 at Open Library
- T'ung Shu 2001 at Open Library
- sections 7-17
- section 18 dreams
- sections 19-45
- sections 46-47 festivals