In traditional culture, the choice of travel days is closely related to an individual's fortune. This article will explore how to choose auspicious travel days based on personal taboo gods, as well as some folk customs related to travel, helping you avoid unfavorable factors and ensure a safe journey.
The Importance of Choosing Auspicious Travel Days
Travel safety is the most important concern for everyone. It is crucial to choose an auspicious day according to the traditional calendar if possible. In traditional beliefs, it is not advisable to start a journey on the seventh day of the lunar month, nor to return home on the eighth day, known as "seven does not go out, eight does not return home." Additionally, the thirteenth day of the lunar month is considered unlucky because "thirteen" sounds like "separate." Although these taboos originate from folk traditions, they still have some reference value when choosing travel days.
How to Choose Travel Days Based on Taboo Gods
1. Choose a season with good luck and avoid breaking the year's god (Tai Sui). For example, in the year of Xin Mao, the Tai Sui is Xin Mao, and the month of Ding You is considered breaking the year's god. If Xin Jin (the year's god) is the use god, then Ding Huo (the fire element) would be a factor that breaks the year's god, making it unsuitable for travel.
2. Avoid choosing days when the year's god and the month clash. The year's god refers to the Tai Sui conflicting with the month's element. For instance, in the year of Xin Mao, the twelfth month is Chou Tu (earth) and the sixth month is Yi Wei (wood). If Yi Mu (wood) is the official god, then Xin Jin (metal) would cause harm, leading to disasters or accidents during travel.
3. Avoid traveling on days that break the month's influence. The month's element, Yi Mu (wood), would clash with Ji Mao (earth), and Ji Mao (wood) would clash with Yi Wei (earth), forming a conflict between wood and earth.
4. Avoid traveling on days when your taboo god is active. For example, if your taboo god is Bing Ding (fire), it is best not to travel on days when fire is dominant. Instead, choose days aligned with your favorable elements and pay attention to the compatibility of the earthly branches.
Unfavorable Days for Travel and Ways to Alleviate Them
1. Avoid traveling on days that clash or conflict with your birth chart's day pillar. For example, if the day master is Jia Mu (wood), then Geng Jin (metal) would clash with it; if the day master is Yi Mu (wood), then Xin Jin (metal) would clash with it. If the taboo god conflicts with the use god, the risk of accidents increases during travel.
2. Alleviation method: It is recommended to place seven copper coins under the "safe travel" carpet at the entrance of the house. They can be placed randomly without needing to be neatly arranged.
Folk Customs for Travel Days
1. Do not go out on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month: People in rural areas take the first day seriously, believing that going out on this day may lead to "losing wealth and blessings," and also need to offer incense to ancestors. Going out might disturb the ancestors' energy, so it is not advisable to go out on the first day.
2. Three, six, nine are good days to go out; two, five, eight are good days to return home: Many places believe that the numbers three, six, and nine are auspicious, so people tend to go out on these days, while returning on days two, five, and eight.
3. Seven does not go out, eight does not return home: The original meaning is that men who go out to work should first secure their home front. The seven basic necessities—rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea, and firewood—must be prepared before leaving. The phrase "eight does not return home" reminds people to uphold the eight virtues: filial piety, respect for elders, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame, strictly adhering to them and not crossing the line.
This article provides some methods on how to choose auspicious travel days based on one's taboo gods, as well as some folk customs related to travel. Although these traditional beliefs originate from folklore, in modern society, we should approach them with a scientific attitude and make reasonable choices based on actual circumstances. At the same time, maintaining vigilance and ensuring travel safety remains the top priority for everyone when traveling.
