Chinese almanac for January 3, 2016

The lists come from the traditional Chinese almanac (Tong Shu). They are derived from the day's stem and branch, its day officer and its symbolic stars, and name activities that tradition considers suitable or unsuitable that day, such as weddings, travel, groundbreaking or opening a business. Treat them as a cultural reference when planning, not a reason to abandon something important.

The clash means the day's branch is opposite the branch of one zodiac sign. A Mao day clashes with You, so people born in the year of the Rooster are traditionally said to meet more change that day; the stem-branch in brackets is the pillar being clashed. "Sha in the West" means the day's sha spirit sits in the west, so tradition advises against groundbreaking or long journeys in that direction.

Twelve guardians take turns ruling each day. Azure Dragon, Bright Hall, Golden Casket, Heavenly Virtue, Jade Hall and Arbiter of Fate are Yellow Path; Heavenly Punishment, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Heavenly Prison, Black Tortoise and Hook Array are Black Path. Yellow Path days are traditionally seen as good for getting things done, and each of the twelve double-hours is classified the same way.

Establish, Remove, Full, Balance, Stable, Initiate, Destruction, Danger, Success, Receive, Open and Close cycle through the solar months, one per day. Success and Open days are traditionally good for openings and signings, while Destruction and Close days are usually avoided for major events.

Dates follow mainland China (Beijing time), and the lunar date, solar term and stems and branches all refer to that day. If you are elsewhere, check the corresponding Beijing date.