Description
四季绝灭之日，百事不宜
About Inauspicious Influences
Inauspicious Influences (Xiong Sha) represent unfavorable symbolic forces in traditional Chinese calendrical systems. Days affected by these influences are generally considered unsuitable for important activities, as they may increase obstacles or risks according to traditional beliefs.
Is Four Extinctions active today?
Four Extinctions appears on specific days based on the Gan-Zhi (Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch) calculations documented in classical almanac texts. Its presence is not random -- it follows a predictable pattern tied to the day's stem, branch, and sometimes the lunar month. Head to today's almanac page to see the full list of active inauspicious influences and whether Four Extinctions is among them.
How to handle days with Four Extinctions
When Four Extinctions is active, the traditional approach is straightforward: avoid the specific activities that this influence conflicts with. Each Xiong Sha has its own scope -- some affect construction and renovation, others relate to travel, weddings, or financial transactions. The key is not to panic and cancel everything, but to check which activities are specifically flagged under "Avoid" for that day. Activities that aren't in conflict with the active Xiong Sha can often proceed normally, especially if strong auspicious spirits are also present.
Things to keep in mind about Four Extinctions
A day with an inauspicious influence isn't automatically a "bad" day -- it simply means certain activities carry more risk according to traditional reckoning. In many cases, powerful auspicious spirits on the same day can counterbalance or even override a Xiong Sha. Classical texts like the Xie Ji Bian Fang Shu provide detailed rules for when auspicious forces can suppress inauspicious ones. As always, treat the almanac as a traditional cultural reference. Real-life decisions should balance cultural customs with practical judgment.