The Twenty-Eight Chinese Lunar Mansions, or 宿 (Xiù), are part of the over 4,500-year-old Chinese constellation system.
These mansions correspond to the longitudes along the ecliptic that the Moon crosses during its 27.32-day journey around the Earth. They reflect the movement of the Moon through a sidereal month rather than the Sun in a tropical year.
The Chinese Xiù are similar to other forms of lunar stations used in astrology, including the Arabic manzils and the Vediv or Hindu Nakshatras.
The 28 Chinese Lunar Mansions
The determinant star positions are set for 2020, and the dates are set for New York time.
| Mansion | Degree | Star | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Horn | 24♎06 | α Virginis | Oct 17 |
| 2. Neck | 04♏46 | κ Virginis | Oct 27 |
| 3. Root | 23♏57 | α Librae | Nov 15 |
| 4. Room | 03♐12 | π Scorpius | Nov 24 |
| 5. Heart | 08♐04 | σ Scorpius | Nov 29 |
| 6. Tail | 16♐25 | μ Scorpius | Dec 07 |
| 7. Basket | 01♑32 | γ² Sagittarii | Dec 22 |
| 8. Dipper | 10♑27 | φ Sagittarii | Dec 31 |
| 9. Ox | 04♒19 | β Capricorni | Jan 24 |
| 10. Girl | 12♒00 | ε Aquarii | Feb 01 |
| 11. Emptiness | 23♒40 | β Aquarii | Feb 12 |
| 12. Rooftop | 04♓02 | α Aquarii | Feb 23 |
| 13. Encampment | 23♓46 | α Pegasi | Mar 13 |
| 14. Wall | 09♈26 | γ Pegasi | Mar 29 |
| 15. Legs | 22♈39 | η Andromedae | Apr 12 |
| 16. Bond | 04♉15 | β Arietis | Apr 23 |
| 17. Stomach | 17♉13 | 35 Arietis | May 07 |
| 18. Hairy Head | 29♉41 | 17 Tauri | May 20 |
| 19. Net | 08♊44 | ε Tauri | May 29 |
| 20. Turtle Beak | 23♊59 | λ Orionis | June 14 |
| 21. Three Stars | 24♊57 | ζ Orionis | June 15 |
| 22. Well | 05♋34 | μ Geminorum | June 26 |
| 23. Ghost | 06♌00 | θ Cancri | July 28 |
| 24. Willow | 10♌34 | δ Hydrae | Aug 02 |
| 25. Star | 27♌33 | α Hydrae | Aug 20 |
| 26. Extended Net | 05♍57 | υ¹ Hydrae | Aug 28 |
| 27. Wings | 23♍57 | α Crateris | Sept 16 |
| 28. Chariot | 10♎59 | γ Corvi | Oct 10 |
1st Xiù – 角
Jiǎo, Horn
24♎06 to 04♏46
Star: α Virginis, Spica
Days: October 17 to 26
Planet: Jupiter
Animal: Scaly Dragon/Crocodile (Associated with rains and floods)
Omen: Lucky
Excellent for construction or buying land. It represents agriculture, new generations, growth, and births. All who marry on this day gain great credit and standing and especially favors the marriage of the eldest son of the family.
Calamities and epidemics in the family within three years if funerals are planned on this day. If the Moon occults Spica at a key event, one should hold grave fears.
2nd Xiù – 亢
Kàng, Neck
04♏46 to 23♏57
Star: κ Virginis, Kang
Days: October 27 to November 14
Planet: Mercury
Animal: Smooth Dragon/Sky Dragon
Omen: Unlucky
It presides over judgments and punishments, as well as the release of prisoners and animals. It is also the mansion of illness, and it’s advisable to consume ginger, onions, mustard, garlic, and pepper.
Unlucky to undertake construction on this day. Combats result in disaster. No marriages or funerals. It presages extremes in weather conditions. This mansion has also been called The Outer Temple.
3rd Xiù – 氐
Dǐ, Root
23♏57 to 03♐12
Star: α Librae, Zubenelgenubi
Days: November 15 to 23
Planet: Saturn
Animal: Marten
Omen: Unlucky
Regarded as bringing both sweetness and illness (through damp). Any calamities are due to failure to observe proper rites. It brings storms, flu, and burglaries, especially for couples who married that day. Take care of the elderly.
Those born in this mansion are usually introverted and suffer from communication problems. They must also avoid trades with a direct link to the sea and sea voyages in general.
4th Xiù – 房
Fáng, Room
03♐12 to 08♐04
Star: π Scorpius, Fang
Days: November 24 to 29
Planet: Sun
Animal: Rabbit
Omen: Lucky
It is the opener of that which is closed and connected with the Great Sacrifice of burnt offerings. Good for building, with the proprietor being able to increase holdings, build extensions, and acquire gardens and surrounding land. Investment, development and interior decoration are also favored.
The Room presages luxuries, happiness, longevity, health and general material increase. It is even lucky to bury, with one’s ancestors being willing to assist in finding promotion, riches, and official recognition for the family. Couples who marry now can expect the birth of a boy. If a man takes a mistress, a son will be born in three years.
When the Moon is 2-5 degrees below the ecliptic in this mansion, there is calm and peace. When it is north of this, there are many events connected with the yin principle. When it is south of 5 degrees, there is drought and mourning.
5th Xiù – 心
Xīn, Heart
08♐04 to 16♐25
Star: σ Scorpius, Alniyat
Days: November 29 to December 6
Planet: Moon
Animal: Fox
Omen: Unlucky
Associated with misfortune, disasters, and losses. Afflicted children may be born to marriages conducted on this day. It indicates property will have to be sold if real estate is bought or addressed. Avoid starting a new activity. This mansion is important for politicians and public figures.
6th Xiù – 尾
Wěi, Tail
16♐25 to 01♑32
Star: μ Scorpius, Xamidimura
Days: December 7 to 21
Planet: Mars
Animal: Tiger
Omen: Lucky
Fortunate for building and negotiating marriages (which resulted in rich descendants), inheritances and education. This Chinese lunar mansion denotes the finding of hidden treasure and promotion to high office. Succession, the heir-apparent and the women’s apartments where he is brought up. That which separates wood from water. Victory and success are around the corner.
7th Xiù – 箕
Jī, Winnowing Basket
01♑32 to 10♑27
Star: γ² Sagittarii, Alnasl
Days: December 22 to 30
Planet: Mercury
Animal: Leopard
Omen: Lucky
Associated with the professional world, especially agriculture. Good for business, changing career path and starting new projects. Great rewards ensue. Official honors come from tasks well presented and carried forward. There will be extraordinary demonstrations of favor. The dead may also be interred with impunity.
8th Xiù – 斗
Dǒu, (Southern) Dipper
10♑27 to 04♒19
Star: φ Sagittarii, Aoul al Sadirah
Days: December 31 to January 23
Planet: Jupiter
Animal: Unicorn/Griffon
Omen: Lucky
Associated with recompense, satisfaction, and completion, filling up, finishing, and rewards for tasks that have been fulfilled. It indicates every type of good fortune. Favorable for wine-making activities, opening trenches and work of heavy physical labor. This mansion is also conducive to government officials, employees, and students.
9th Xiù – 牛
Niú, Ox
04♒19 to 12♒00
Star: β Capricorni, Dabih
Days: January 24 to 31
Planet: Venus
Animal: Ox
Omen: Unlucky
Discord, broken marriages, loss of provisions. In the old days this was an admonition not to leave doors open (lest the animals escape), and the advent of sickness and starvation for animals. Associated with the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver, whose union was as short as sad. It symbolizes travel, commerce, and roads.
10th Xiù – 女
Nǚ, Girl
12♒00 to 23♒40
Star: ε Aquarii, Albali
Days: February 1 to 11
Planet: Saturn
Animal: Bat
Omen: Unlucky
Disputes and quarrels within the family. Fights disturbing the peace. Epidemics and illnesses, particularly of the bowel, will follow a funeral injudiciously arranged on this day.
11th Xiù – 虛
Xū, Emptiness
23♒40 to 04♓02
Star: β Aquarii, Sadalsuud
Days: February 12 to 22
Planet: Sun
Animal: Rat
Omen: Unlucky
It represents funerals, illnesses, family conflicts, and loss of money. Bad for digging trenches or raising buildings. Tigers will snatch up infants and devour them. Tears will stain the graves of the newly buried. Children born to marriages on this day will have antisocial tendencies.
12th Xiù – 危
Wēi, Rooftop
04♓02 to 23♓46
Star: α Aquarii, Sadalmelik
Days: February 23 to March 12
Planet: Moon
Animal: Swallow
Omen: Neutral
The Chinese lunar mansion of fortification and earthworks, it is favorable for building construction, renovations, and repairs. But unfavorable for moving. Dangers exist for travelers over land or water. Travelers on land are in danger of attack, whereas travelers by water are in danger of the ship foundering.
13th Xiù – 室
Shì, Encampment
23♓46 to 09♈26
Star: α Pegasi, Markab
Days: March 13 to 28
Planet: Mars
Animal: Pig
Omen: Lucky
Associated with a ceremonial pyre in which victims are immolated, a temple where a sacrificial flame burned, or a house where various sacrificial offerings are stored. All building will be beneficial. All kinds of good fortune accrue to the instigator of schemes.
Favors are bestowed by officials for work done. Family meetings and the transmission of knowledge to the youngest bring luck and harmony. Heaven will shower its bounteous gifts on the person designated by this sign.
14th Xiù – 壁
Bì, Wall
09♈26 to 22♈39
Star: γ Pegasi, Algenib
Days: March 29 to April 11
Planet: Mercury
Animal: Porcupine/Hedgehog
Omen: Lucky
Associated with archives of some sort, or a treasury. The mansion of exalted virtue, it presides over literature, the fine arts, and scholarship, but also lies and slander. Good for digging or extensions on buildings. Opening doors will bring great wealth to one’s family.
By respecting one’s ancestors, one can gain riches and official recognition. Children born on this day will be very accomplished and will bring honor to their parents. If you get married now, the education of your children will bring good fortune.
15th Xiù – 奎
Kuí, Legs
22♈39 to 04♉15
Star: η Andromedae, Kuí Sù yī
Days: April 12 to 22
Planet: Jupiter
Animal: Wolf
Omen: Unlucky
Represents a man with his legs astride. This was said to be the arsenal of the Emperor. Wash old clothes and double the thickness of the quilting to protect against winter. Avoid construction work so riches do not leave the household. Digging would be followed by a series of misfortunes.
There is a likelihood of family quarrels and discord among acquaintances. Lawsuits are lost. Sickness takes a firm grip. This mansion rules arms, preparation for military action, canals, garments, footwear, textiles industry, and laundry.
16th Xiù – 婁
Lóu, Bond
04♉15 to 17♉13
Star: β Arietis, Sheratan
Days: April 23 to May 6
Planet: Venus
Animal: Dog
Omen: Lucky
The rites and sacrifices of harvest. A general theme of thanksgiving. This Chinese lunar mansion governs harvest, feasting, gatherings, choirs, and orchestras. It is a good day for feasting and gatherings, construction, the digging of trenches, opening of watercourses, and unveiling monuments.
Weddings arranged on this day will produce children that will bring wealth to the family. Associated with friendship, pleasures, harmony, wealth, good health and longevity.
17th Xiù – 胃
Wèi, Stomach
17♉13 to 29♉41
Star: 35 Arietis
Days: May 7 to 19
Planet: Saturn
Animal: Pheasant
Omen: Lucky
The celestial granary. Governs the accumulation of wealth and storing, prisons, punishment, execution, sea walls, reservoirs, and canals. Good for making investments, tending to savings and banking. Everything involving earth is favored, such as digging and funerals. Children of a marriage contracted on this day will be protected by influential figures.
18th Xiù – 昴
Mǎo, Hairy Head
29♉41 to 08♊44
Star: 17 Tauri, Electra
Days: May 20 to 28
Planet: Sun
Animal: Rooster
Omen: Unlucky
The Chinese character for this mansion is a closed-door surmounted by the Sun. The ancients maintained that when the Pleiades flickered, it presaged invasion by barbarians. The Pleiades were regarded as the ears and eyes of Heaven. For this reason, they were said to preside over the end of criminal hearings or judicial proceedings.
It is said to presage lawsuits and deaths in the family, governing invasion, judgment, and punishment. Generally unfavorable for most things. The result of misjudged actions is regarded as heralding unhappiness. Marriages end with the separation of the partners. Newborn children are as old men with white beards near to the grave.
19th Xiù – 畢
Bì, Net
08♊44 to 23♊59
Star: ε Tauri, Ain
Days: May 29 to June 13
Planet: Moon
Animal: Crow
Omen: Lucky
The Net includes Aldebaran and the Hyades cluster. Both the Hyades and the Pleiades were regarded as the mesh of a hunting net. Hunting forays in the old days of China were used as much for military exercises and training as they were to rid the land of vermin or to gather food. Hence, this mansion governs hunting, wealth (as a result of a good hunt), military prowess, and by extension, traitors, deserters, outlaws, revolts and punishments as well as trouble at the frontiers (border disputes and the like).
It is good for construction, with building bringing fortune. Burials on this day confer honor to the deceased. Favorable for weddings, and children born of a marriage at this time are assured of a long life.
20th Xiù – 觜
Zī, Turtle Beak
23♊59 to 24♊57
Star: λ Orionis, Meissa
Days: June 14
Planet: Mars
Animal: Monkey
Omen: Unlucky
Breaking the law brings harsh punishments. This mansion governs herd animals, people under protection (children, the elderly, disabled people) and punishment. Breaking the law brings misfortune, necessitating the enforced selling of property, arraignment on murder charges, punishments, and exile.
21st Xiù – 参
Shēn, Three Stars
24♊57 to 05♋34
Star: ζ Orionis, Alnitak
Days: June 15 to 25
Planet: Mercury
Animal: Ape
Omen: Neutral
Governs frontiers and literature. Good for constructions, all kinds of new projects, labor relations and industry. Industry is the keynote for this mansion, and it favors jobs related to culture and communications, so long as they are done with rigor and creativity.
It also governs executions, murders, sudden death, fortresses, and decapitations, depending upon where it is found in the horoscope. Bad for trading, closing projects, marriage contracts, weddings, and funerals. The fates vary according to one’s actions, as in the previous mansion.
22nd Xiù – 井
Jǐng, Well
05♋34 to 06♌00
Star: μ Geminorum, Tejat Posterior
Days: June 26 to July 27
Planet: Jupiter
Animal: Wild Dog/Tapir
Omen: Neutral
This is the head of the Phoenix. Associated with beauty, water, navigation at sea, hygiene, cleaning, repairs, and refurbishments. Because of the association of cleanliness with Godliness (virtue), this mansion also presides over law and order, moral uprightness and cleansing of moral wrongs.
The luck in this Chinese lunar mansion is said to vary because of the conflict of the elements involved. Labor is rewarded, while idleness is sanctioned. It is good for taking exams, tending to herbivorous animals and all types of industriousness. It is very good for gardening and widows. Bad for funerals because of the risk of epidemics and sudden death, though, and all projects in progress should be worked on instead of being put aside.
23rd Xiù – 鬼
Guǐ, Ghost
06♌00 to 10♌34
Star: θ Cancri, Guǐ Xiù yī
Days: July 28 to August 1
Planet: Venus
Animal: Sheep
Omen: Unlucky
This is the Praesepe Nebula. It governs departed spirits, souls of missing persons, cemeteries, places where people were killed and buried treasures. Making an enclosure will presage the death of a little girl. Unfavorable for beginning new projects, marriage and anything new. But good for the capitalization of property, memorial services, and visiting graves.
24th Xiù – 柳
Liǔ, Willow
10♌34 to 27♌33
Star: δ Hydrae, Lisan al Shudja
Days: August 2 to 19
Planet: Saturn
Animal: Stag/Buck
Omen: Unlucky
This mansion governs vegetation, sadness, tears, and suffering. It is unfavorable for everything. Not a good time to launch new projects, at the risk of losing your investments.
25th Xiù – 星
Xīng, Star
27♌33 to 05♍57
Star: α Hydrae, Alphard
Days: August 20 to 27
Planet: Sun
Animal: Horse
Omen: Neutral
Governs highway robbery, bridges, fords, piracy, kidnapping, textile dying, clothing and pigments. Favorable for real estate transactions and constructions of all types. But unfavorable for funerals and weddings. There are deaths and separations for those who bury on this day. The wife of a marriage performed on this day may fall into the hands of a ravisher.
26th Xiù – 張
Zhāng, Extended Net
05♍57 to 23♍57
Star: υ¹ Hydrae, Zhang
Days: August 28 to September 15
Planet: Moon
Animal: Deer
Omen: Lucky
The name of this Chinese lunar mansion is taken to mean “spreading”, like a net. Associated with festivities, such as after a good hunt (game collected for a feast). As it was customary to bring presents on such occasions, this mansion indicated gifts/presents.
Right conduct is rewarded. It brings harmonious relationships and rewards due to industriousness such as promotion and salary increase. Good for family reunions and acquiring new property. It also presages the sickness of the authority figure.
27th Xiù – 翼
Yì, Wings
23♍57 to 10♎59
Star: α Crateris, Alkes
Days: September 16 to October 9
Planet: Mars
Animal: Snake
Omen: Unlucky
This is the wing of the Phoenix. This mansion coincided with the time of the Grand Assembly when the Emperor customarily gave speeches and praise, followed by a Grand Concert. This mansion is thus associated with music and the arts.
Modern portents are very gloomy, though. The modern auspices are chronic illnesses and calamities befalling both spouses of marriages on this day. Those who take on outside work come home to find themselves cuckolded. It presages a child having to leave the country. It is inauspicious for paying homage to one’s ancestors. It is a mansion denoting pomp and official ceremony.
28th Xiù – 軫
Zhěn, Chariot
10♎59 to 24♎06
Star: γ Corvi, Gienah
Days: October 10 to 16
Planet: Mercury
Animal: Worm
Omen: Lucky
This is the celestial Carriage and it represents the transport of tributes from foreign lands to the Emperor, thus the accumulation of wealth. It also presides over travel of all kinds and vehicles. It also presaged favorable winds and an end to storms. Events in business bring great profit and everything done heralds fortunate returns. Paying homage to ancestors will honor one with a “Dragon Child”. It is also a great day for marriages and births.
References
- Twenty-Eight Mansions, Wikipedia.
- The Complete Guide to Chinese Astrology, Derek Walters, 2005.
- Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1899.
- The Twenty-Eight Xiu (Lunar Mansions): A Complilation
- 28 Mansions of the Lunar Calendar – Chinese Astrology History
