In ancient time, the Chinese had discovered to their amazement that the universe is made up of energy fields known to them as Qi. They believed that the Sun, Moon, Earth and other planets in the Solar System radiate cosmic energy which is constantly changing over time depending on the relative positions of the planets.

The discovery had led to the creation of the Chinese calendar which is based on the movement of this cosmic energy. The Chinese charted this cosmic energy into 22 energy pillars known as the Ten Heavenly Stems and Twelve Earthly Branches (equivalent to Twelve Zodiac signs). From these combinations of heavenly stems and earthly branches, the Chinese Solar Calendar (Hsia) is derived which is quite similar to the western Gregorian calendar as it is also based on the earths orbit around the sun. However, instead of starting the year on the 1st of January, the Chinese Solar Calendar begins the year on the 1st day of Spring which falls on or around the 4th Feb. This calendar is also used in the practice of Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology known as the Four Pillars of Destiny.

Based on a persons date and time of birth, the influence of this cosmic energy on the newborn is said to chart the destiny and characteristics of that particular person.

So how does the Chinese Solar Calendar determine whether a day is good or bad?

It is the days when the Zodiac sign of the year clashes with the Zodiac sign of the day.

The twelve Zodiac signs and their clashes are as follows:-

Rat clashes with Horse

Ox clashes with Goat

Tiger clashes with Monkey

Rabbit clashes with Rooster

Dragon clashes with Dog

Snake clashes with Pig

For instance, in the year of the Pig (solar year 2007), the Pig clashes with the Snake of the day. Therefore, a person who is born in the year of the Pig will have a bad day on the day of the Snake. Therefore, any Snake days in 2007 is called a Year Breaker day and it is deemed inauspicious.

There is also the Month Breaker day. This happens when the Zodiac of the month clashes with the Zodiac of the day. For example, in the month of the Dog (9th solar month), the Dog clashes with the Dragon of the day. Therefore, any Dragon days in the 9th solar month is a Month Breaker day and it is considered inauspicious.

This is just one quick and simple way in a complicated system of date selection used in Chinese Astrology.