Embracing the Wisdom of the Lunar Calendar 🌙
Could a calendar help you align with the natural order and maintain physical and mental harmony? 📅
Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) in China and many other East Asian countries. For this occasion, we have a special guest, Joy from Pichinese, who will talk to you about one of her specialties: reading the Lunar Calendar.
在道教和儒家思想的影响下，农历不仅是时间的记录工具，更是生活的指南，帮助人们顺应自然规律，保持身心和谐。在每日的农历指引中，「宜」和「忌」的划分基于阴阳平衡以及五行（木、火、土、金、水）的理论。「宜」即是吉祥活动，适宜去做的意思。而「忌」則是禁忌活动，要避免去做的意思。通过遵循这些指引，人们可以引导气的顺畅流动，避免不和谐的发生。
儒家 (rújiā): Confucianism, Confucian thought
指南 (zhǐnán): guide, manual, direction
和谐 (héxié): harmony, balanced, peaceful
吉祥 (jíxiáng): auspicious, lucky, favorable
顺畅 (shùnchàng): smooth, flowing, unimpeded
Influenced by Taoist and Confucian thought, the lunar calendar is not just a tool for tracking time, but also a guide for living, helping people align with the natural order and maintain physical and mental harmony. Each day's guidance in the lunar calendar, with its recommendations on what is "favorable" (宜) and "unfavorable" (忌), is based on the theory of yin-yang balance and the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). "Favorable" refers to auspicious activities that are suitable to carry out, while "unfavorable" refers to activities that should be avoided. By following these guidelines, people can promote the smooth flow of qi and prevent disharmony.
以2024年9月18日的农历指引为例，今天的吉祥活动包括“祭祀”、“出行”和“扫除”，而不吉利活动则是“诸事不宜”，即建议避免其他活动。这种细致的活动分类，帮助人们更好地规划当天的任务，以期获得顺利与平衡。
祭祀 (jìsì): to offer sacrifices, worship, ritual offerings
诸事不宜 (zhū shì bù yí): unsuitable for all activities, avoid all undertakings
细致 (xìzhì): meticulous, detailed, careful
For example, take the guidance for September 18, 2024, according to the lunar calendar. Auspicious activities for that day include "offering sacrifices," "traveling," and "cleaning," while the recommended inauspicious activity is "avoid all matters," meaning other activities should be refrained from. This detailed classification of activities helps people better plan their daily tasks to achieve smoothness and balance.
每一天的指引不仅涵盖了吉祥和不吉活动，还提供了健康贴士。比如，在今天的农历阅读中，健康建议侧重于产后恢复，强调了温和运动的重要性，如盆底肌锻炼、产后瑜伽和散步。这些建议源于中医理论，旨在帮助产后女性通过调养恢复身心健康。
涵盖 (hángài): to cover, include, encompass
贴士 (tiēshì): tips, advice
产后 (chǎnhòu): postpartum, after childbirth
盆底肌 (péndǐ jī): pelvic floor muscles
瑜伽 (yújiā): yoga
调养 (tiáoyǎng): to nurse back to health, recuperate, restore
In addition to favorable and unfavorable activities, each day's guidance also includes health tips. For instance, today's lunar reading emphasizes postpartum recovery, highlighting the importance of gentle exercises such as pelvic floor exercises, postpartum yoga, and walking. These suggestions are rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and aim to help postpartum women restore their physical and mental health through proper care.
此外，我们还会定期分享一些与中医理论相关的食疗建议和食谱，帮助大家通过饮食来调节体质、增强免疫力。这些健康建议与中国传统医学理论紧密相关，旨在通过饮食、运动和生活方式的调整，促进整体健康和福祉。
食疗 (shíliáo): dietary therapy, food therapy
食谱 (shípǔ): recipe, menu
调节 (tiáojié): to adjust, regulate, modify
免疫力 (miǎnyìlì): immunity, immune strength
福祉 (fúzhǐ): well-being, welfare, happiness
Moreover, we regularly share dietary recommendations and recipes related to TCM theory, helping people adjust their constitution and boost immunity through diet. These health tips are closely tied to traditional Chinese medicine principles, promoting overall health and well-being through adjustments in diet, exercise, and lifestyle.
农历的日常指引不仅是规划生活的工具，更是一种文化传承。通过理解并应用其中的智慧，人们可以在现代生活中找到与古老智慧的连接，获得内在的平衡与和谐。
传承 (chuánchéng): to pass down, inherit, carry forward
The daily guidance of the lunar calendar is not just a tool for planning life, but also a form of cultural heritage. By understanding and applying its wisdom, people can find a connection to ancient knowledge in their modern lives, gaining inner balance and harmony.
You can follow us on our social media platforms to receive daily lunar calendar guidance and more tips for a healthy lifestyle.
Joy from Pichinese
(Antoine & Dorota for the editing)
