View source for Tung Shing

{{Short description|Chinese divination guide}}
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Chinese words and phrases]]}}
{{Chinese
|pic=Tungshing.jpg
|t=通勝
|s=通胜
|j=Tung<sup>1</sup> sing<sup>3</sup>
|poj=Thong-sèng
|y=Tūng sing
|p=Tōngshèng
|w=T'ung<sup>1</sup>-sheng<sup>4</sup>
}}
{{Chinese
|t=通書
|p=Tōngshu
|poj=thong-su
}}
{{Chinese
|t=農民曆
|p=nóngmínlì
|poj=lông-bîn-li̍k
}}
'''''Tung Shing''''' ({{zh|t=通勝}}), also called the '''Yellow Calendar''' or the '''Imperial Calendar''' is a Chinese divination guide and [[almanac]].  It consists primarily of a [[calendar]] based on the Chinese [[solar terms]] rather than the [[Chinese calendar|Chinese lunar-solar calendar]].
==History==
''Tung Shing'' originated from ''Wong Lik'' ({{lang|zh-hant|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''''' ({{lang|zh-hant|通書}}). ''Tung'' ({{lang|zh-hant|通}}) means "all", ''Shu'' ({{lang|zh-hant|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'' ({{lang|zh-hant|輸}}), so ''Tung Shu'' sounded like "Defeated in All Things" ({{lang|zh-hant|通輸}}). Therefore, the name was changed to ''Tung Shing'' ({{lang|zh-hant|通勝}}), which means "Victorious in All Things".{{sfn|Palmer|1986|p=9}}
==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.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=zh:全台最暢銷 農民曆年印600萬本 | url=http://udn.com/NEWS/NATIONAL/NAT3/4628948.shtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205010450/http://udn.com/NEWS/NATIONAL/NAT3/4628948.shtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=2008-12-05 | publisher={{lang|zh|聯合報}} | date=2008-12-04 | access-date=2008-12-04 | author={{lang|zh|梁玉芳}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author={{lang|zh|梁玉芳}} |script-title=zh:院士黃一農：古人賣黃曆像麥當勞 | url=http://udn.com/NEWS/NATIONAL/NAT3/4628954.shtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205010450/http://udn.com/NEWS/NATIONAL/NAT3/4628948.shtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=2008-12-05 | publisher={{lang|zh|聯合報}} | date=2008-12-04 | access-date=2008-12-04 }}</ref> It{{clarify|date=October 2011}} is known for its English definitions and words transliterated into Cantonese characters.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Tōngshèng_通勝_cover.jpg|Cover of a version of {{lang|zh-hant|通勝}} Tung Shing from year 2010
</gallery>
==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."{{sfn|Palmer|1986|p=10}}
==See also==
* [[Chinese astrology]]
* ''[[Da Liu Ren]]'' (大六壬)
* [[Fuji (planchette writing)]]
* [[Fulu]]
* [[I Ching divination]]
* [[Lingqijing]]
* [[Kau Cim]]
* ''[[Qi Men Dun Jia]]'' (奇門遁甲)
* ''[[Shaobing Song]]''
* [[Tai Sui]]
* ''[[Tai Yi Shen Shu]]'' (太乙神數)
* [[Tangki]]
* ''[[Tui bei tu]]''
* [[Wen Wang Gua]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite book |first=Martin |last=Palmer |title=T'ung Shu: the Ancient Chinese Almanac |publisher=Shambhala |location=Boston |year=1986 |isbn=9780394742212 }}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.angelfire.com/magic/tungshing/main.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124225557/http://www.angelfire.com/magic/tungshing/main.htm  |archive-date=January 24, 2007 |url-status=live |script-title=zh:中國語文及文化科報告主頁 ─ 什麼是通勝?}}
* {{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906050945/http://www.absolutelyfengshui.com/others/tong-sing-tung-shu.php |archive-date=September 6, 2009 |url=http://www.absolutelyfengshui.com/others/tong-sing-tung-shu.php |title=The Chinese Almanac (a.k.a. Tong Sing) }} Includes list of chapters
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110626141350/http://www.shkp.com/en-US/Pages/tung-shing Online Tung shing] {{in lang|zh}}
* [http://www.singaporegrooms.com/auspicious-wedding-dates-2010/ List of Auspicious Wedding dates from the 2010 Tung Shu]
*[http://www.librarything.com/work/188394 ''T'ung Shu'' 1986] at Library Thing
*[https://openlibrary.org/b/OL3022295M/T'ung_shu__the_ancient_Chinese_almanac ''T'ung Shu'' 1986] at Open Library
*[https://openlibrary.org/b/OL7858802M/T'Ung_Shu_Almanac_2001 ''T'ung Shu'' 2001] at Open Library
[[Category:Almanacs]]
[[Category:Chinese calendars]]