In the traditional Chinese Almanac (Huangli), "Travel" (出行 - Chuxing) refers to the act of leaving one's permanent residence to go to another place. This includes tourism, business trips, moving house, and any other activities that require being away from home for an extended period. In ancient China, due to inconvenient transportation and a lack of information, every journey was a major event. Therefore, choosing an auspicious day for travel was particularly important.
In traditional Chinese culture, people believe that choosing an appropriate auspicious day for a journey can bring smoothness and safety. This is because the ancients believed that different days possess different "Shen Sha" (Deities and Demons), representing auspicious or inauspicious energies. By choosing an auspicious day to travel, one could receive the blessings and protection of the deities; otherwise, they might encounter misfortune.
Selecting an auspicious day for travel usually requires consulting a "Ten Thousand Year Calendar" (Wannianli) or specialized date-selection books. These books determine whether a particular day is suitable for travel based on a combination of factors, including the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, the 24 Solar Terms, and the Chinese Zodiac. Specifically:
In addition to selecting an auspicious day, traditional customs dictate several preparations to note before setting off:
Despite the technological advancements and convenient transportation of modern society, many people still retain the habit of consulting the Almanac to select a date. Especially for major events like international travel or important business inspections, people still tend to choose a good day to depart, seeking psychological comfort and support.
In summary, while modern society has undergone tremendous changes, certain concepts regarding travel from traditional Chinese culture are still observed by some, serving as a cultural and spiritual anchor. Of course, in practice, the most important thing is to make adequate physical and mental preparations to ensure a safe and smooth journey.
