What does the ancient Nacai mean? It turns out that it is related to engagement.

When we choose an auspicious day, we will look through the almanac. So, do you know what Nacai means in the lunar calendar? Let’s find out together.

What does the Chinese lunar calendar mean?

Marriage customs

Nacai refers to the ancient Han marriage customs, which is the first of the "Six Rites". It means that when a man wants to marry a woman, his family sends a matchmaker to the woman's family to propose marriage and give gifts to propose marriage. If the girl is interested, the boy will send a matchmaker to formally propose to the girl's family and bring certain gifts, so it is called "Nacai". In today's terms, "Nacai" refers to the engagement, gift giving, and then discussing the wedding date. Therefore, the Yi Na Cai day in the lunar calendar refers to the day that is suitable for concluding a marriage ceremony.

Ancient records

1. "The Rites of Rites: Marriage Ceremony for Gentlemen": "Marriage ceremony: Send the bride price, use wild geese." Jia Gongyan's commentary: "Nacai means 'Na' because it is the first time to choose a bride and the bride's family may not agree, so it is 'Na'."
2. "Han Shu Pingdi Ji" records: "In the spring of the third year (Yuanshi), the emperor ordered officials to marry the daughter of Anhan Gong Mang for the emperor."

About matters after the marriage

1. After "Nacai" comes "Wenming", in which the matchmaker asks the woman's name, age and "horoscope", and uses divination and fortune-telling to see whether the man and woman will conflict with each other, and whether there are other reasons why they are not suitable for getting married. "Wenming" is also called "Guo Xiaotie" or "matching the horoscopes".
2. After "asking for the name" comes "taking the auspicious sign". The boy's parents give their son's birth date and time to the matchmaker to bring to the girl's side. This is called "passing the big tie" or "exchanging the Luan book", also known as "Tongshu", which actually has a bit of the meaning of engagement.
3. The next "Na Zheng" is the most cost-effective for the girl's family. It roughly means giving a betrothal gift. The betrothal gift has distinct characteristics of each era. In ancient times, it was silk and the like, and later it was gold, silver and other treasures.

Search for auspicious dates for Nacai in January 2018

January 1, 2018, Lunar November (big month) 15th day Monday Aries clashes with Pig (Ding Hai) in the east
January 7, 2018 Lunar November (Big) 21st Sunday Aries conflict with Snake (Gui Yi) evil west
January 13, 2018 Lunar November (Big) 27th Saturday Aries clashes with Pig (Ji Hai) in the East
January 18, 2018, Lunar December 2, Thursday, Aries, Dragon (Jiachen), North
January 19, 2018 Lunar December 3rd Friday Aries conflict with Snake (Yi Yi)
January 22, 2018, Lunar December 6th (Monday) Aquarius clashes with Monkey (Wushen) and the evil direction is North