Long-term view
You may have seen the Wan Nian Li (Man Nien Lik in Cantonese) or Ten Thousand Year Calendar on sale in bookshops but be unclear as to what its purpose is. It is usually printed like a compact dictionary and is used by fung shui masters to compile the astrological data of individuals, allowing them to calculate, among other things, the compatibility of two people with regard to a business partnership or marriage, or the suitability of a home or office for a person.
The calendar shouldn't be confused with the Tong Seng, which is the annual Chinese almanac, which identifies favourable and unfavourable activities for each day of a specific year. This year's almanac will not be applicable in 2010.
In contrast, the Ten Thousand Year Calendar usually covers a period of more than 100 years, for example from 1912 until 2050, identifying the stem and branch or element and animal combination for each day, month and year.
As data for future dates is also provided, fung shui masters are able to advise parents as to the most appropriate time for their children to be born if they choose a Caesarean birth, for example, by consulting the book.
The calendar also serves as a reference for occasions that reoccur annually, such as Lunar New Year, Tomb Sweeping Day and the Mid-Autumn and Dragon Boat festivals.
For a small book, it contains a significant amount of information.
