On this page
Meaning and Context
In Chinese tradition, not all days are considered equal. An auspicious day is one where multiple calendar factors align favorably for certain activities — whether it's a wedding, moving house, starting a business, or other significant events.
- Ji (吉): Auspicious, favorable, lucky
- Ri (日): Day, date
- Determined by multiple factors: stems, branches, day officers, deities
- Different days may be auspicious for different activities
Classical Roots
From Xieji Bianfang Shu
「吉日者，天时之美者也，宜于行事。」
Plain translation
"An auspicious day is when heavenly timing is favorable, suitable for taking action." This establishes that auspiciousness comes from the alignment of cosmic factors.
How Auspicious Days Are Determined
Several factors contribute to making a day auspicious:
- Twelve Day Officers (十二建除): Days like "Success" (成) or "Full" (满) are generally favorable
- Auspicious Deities (吉神): Presence of beneficial celestial influences
- Absence of Major Sha: No significant malevolent influences active
- Personal compatibility: The day should not clash with the person's birth chart
How It Shows Up in FateFolio
In FateFolio's Auspicious Dates tool, auspicious days are identified based on classical criteria. Each day is evaluated for specific activities, showing which dates are most favorable for your intended purpose.
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking one "auspicious day" is good for everything — different activities have different ideal days
- Ignoring personal factors — the best general day might clash with your birth chart
- Treating auspicious days as guarantees — they support but don't ensure success
FAQ
Can a day be auspicious for one activity but not another?
+
Yes, absolutely. A day might be excellent for weddings but unsuitable for funerals, or good for moving but not for signing contracts. The almanac typically specifies which activities are favorable (宜) on each day.