Calculation method
How to calculate a Xiao Liu Ren reading
This site follows the common month-day-hour finger-counting method. The calculator uses your local time and converts the current date to the Chinese lunar calendar.
Remember the six positions
The fixed cycle is Da An, Liu Lian, Su Xi, Chi Kou, Xiao Ji and Kong Wang, then back to Da An.
- Count the month: lunar month one starts at Da An.
- Count the day: treat the month position as lunar day one.
- Count the hour: treat the day position as Zi hour and count onward.
Traditional hours
Local time conversion
| Hour | Local time | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Zi | 11:00 p.m.-12:59 a.m. | 1 |
| Chou | 1:00-2:59 a.m. | 2 |
| Yin | 3:00-4:59 a.m. | 3 |
| Mao | 5:00-6:59 a.m. | 4 |
| Chen | 7:00-8:59 a.m. | 5 |
| Si | 9:00-10:59 a.m. | 6 |
| Wu | 11:00 a.m.-12:59 p.m. | 7 |
| Wei | 1:00-2:59 p.m. | 8 |
| Shen | 3:00-4:59 p.m. | 9 |
| You | 5:00-6:59 p.m. | 10 |
| Xu | 7:00-8:59 p.m. | 11 |
| Hai | 9:00-10:59 p.m. | 12 |
The equivalent formula
Number Da An as 0 through Kong Wang as 5. The final index is
(lunar month + lunar day + hour number - 3) mod 6.
Common mistakes
- Using the Gregorian month and date instead of the lunar calendar.
- Starting the next stage after the current position and counting one extra step.
- Treating 11:00 p.m. as Hai hour when it has already entered Zi hour.
- Repeating the same question until a preferred result appears.