How is the Kua Number calculated?

In classical Compass School Feng Shui, the Kua is derived from the last two digits of the birth year (adjusted for Li Chun 立春 ≈ Feb 4, the classical year-pillar boundary). Males use one formula and females use another, this gendered split is a feature of the classical system, not a modern editorial choice. If the result is 5, males default to Kua 2 (Kun trigram) and females to Kua 8 (Gen trigram), because the center of the Bagua has no direction.

Does Kua Number work for everyone?

The Eight Mansions Kua system was designed within a specific cultural and historical framework that did not anticipate modern gender identity. Many feng shui practitioners suggest calculating both the male and female formulas for non-binary or trans individuals and noticing which directions feel more aligned with lived experience. The classical sources frame Kua directions as patterns to design around, not deterministic prescriptions.

Should I use Compass School or BTB Feng Shui?

Compass School (理氣 Lǐ Qì) and Black Sect Tantric Buddhism (BTB) Feng Shui differ on directional methodology. Compass School, used in this calculator and taught by Joey Yap, Lillian Too, and Master Raymond Lo, uses fixed compass directions and a Luopan (羅盤) compass. BTB places the Bagua relative to the front door of each room, regardless of compass direction. Both lineages are valid; this Kua Number calculator follows the Compass School tradition because it requires precise directional calculation.

How accurate is the Kua Number system?

The Kua Number calculation itself is algorithmically deterministic, given the same birth date and gender, the formula produces the same result. The system is documented across multiple classical and modern sources including Joey Yap's Feng Shui For Homebuyers and Lillian Too's foundational works. Like all Chinese metaphysics, the interpretation is best understood as pattern recognition rather than fortune-telling. The classical sources describe Kua directions as supporting practice, not guaranteeing outcomes.

Kua Number Calculator, Feng Shui

What is your Kua Number?

Your Kua Number (本命卦 Běn Mìng Guà) is a Compass School Feng Shui calculation derived from your birth year and biological sex at birth. It places you in either the East Group (東四命) or West Group (西四命) and identifies four favorable directions and four challenging ones. Classical sources frame this as pattern recognition, not destiny.

Key Takeaways

Kua Number (本命卦) is the personal Feng Shui calculation that determines your lucky and unlucky directions.
East Group: Kua 1, 3, 4, 9, favorable directions in East, Southeast, South, and North.
West Group: Kua 2, 6, 7, 8, favorable directions in West, Northwest, Southwest, and Northeast.
Four lucky directions: Sheng Qi (wealth), Tian Yi (health), Yan Nian (relationships), Fu Wei (stability).
Four unlucky directions: Huo Hai (mischief), Wu Gui (instability), Liu Sha (conflict), Jue Ming (severe setbacks).
Kua 5 does not exist, males use Kua 2, females use Kua 8.
The year-boundary is Li Chun (立春 ≈ Feb 4), not Jan 1.

Your Birth Date and Gender

Compass School Eight Mansions feng shui uses different formulas for biological males and females, this is a feature of the classical system. We also use the Li Chun cutoff (立春 ≈ Feb 4) because the classical Chinese year-pillar boundary is not Gregorian Jan 1.

The Eight Mansions

Explore the eight Kua numbers

Kua 1 · 坎 KǎnEast Group · Water · Sheng Qi Southeast Kua 2 · 坤 KūnWest Group · Earth · Sheng Qi Northeast Kua 3 · 震 ZhènEast Group · Wood · Sheng Qi South Kua 4 · 巽 XùnEast Group · Wood · Sheng Qi North Kua 6 · 乾 QiánWest Group · Metal · Sheng Qi West Kua 7 · 兌 DuìWest Group · Metal · Sheng Qi Northwest Kua 8 · 艮 GènWest Group · Earth · Sheng Qi Southwest Kua 9 · 離 LíEast Group · Fire · Sheng Qi East

Questions and Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Kua Number?

Kua Number (本命卦 Běn Mìng Guà, also called Gua Number or Ming Gua) is the Compass School (理氣 Lǐ Qì) Feng Shui calculation that determines a person's personal 'lucky directions'. It is part of the Eight Mansions (八宅 Bā Zhái) tradition documented by Joey Yap, Lillian Too, and Master Raymond Lo. The Kua is derived from birth year and biological sex at birth.

Why does the calculator ask for gender?

Compass School Eight Mansions feng shui uses different formulas for biological males and females, this is a feature of the classical system, not a modern editorial choice. The system was designed within a specific cultural and historical framework that did not anticipate modern gender identity. Many feng shui practitioners suggest calculating both and seeing which directions feel more aligned with your lived experience.

What are the four lucky directions?

The four favorable directions are Sheng Qi (生氣 wealth and success), Tian Yi (天醫 health and healing), Yan Nian (延年 relationships and longevity), and Fu Wei (伏位 personal growth and stability). Joey Yap recommends sleeping with the head pointed toward Tian Yi and facing Sheng Qi during important meetings.

What are the four unlucky directions?

The four challenging directions are Huo Hai (禍害 mischief and minor setbacks), Wu Gui (五鬼 five ghosts and instability), Liu Sha (六煞 conflict and legal trouble), and Jue Ming (絕命 severe setbacks). Classical sources frame these as patterns to design around, not 'curses', placing your stove or trash in these directions is the traditional remedy.

Why doesn't Kua 5 exist?

Kua 5 maps to the center of the Bagua, which has no direction, and Eight Mansions feng shui is based on directional qi. The classical workaround is gendered: males with a Kua-5 calculation use Kua 2 (Kun trigram, Southwest); females use Kua 8 (Gen trigram, Northeast). This is consistent across both Joey Yap and Lillian Too's lineages.

What's the difference between East Group and West Group?

Kua 1, 3, 4, and 9 belong to the East Group (東四命 Dōng Sì Mìng); Kua 2, 6, 7, and 8 belong to the West Group (西四命 Xī Sì Mìng). East Group natives have favorable directions in the East, Southeast, South, and North; West Group natives have favorable directions in the West, Northwest, Southwest, and Northeast. The classical sources describe this as the foundational personal feng shui distinction.

Is this the same as the Bagua sectors I see on home feng shui maps?

Related but distinct. The Bagua sectors map a space; the Kua maps you. Compass School practice combines both, your favorable Kua directions tell you how to orient your bed, desk, and front door, while the Bagua tells you what each sector of your home governs (wealth, fame, love, etc.). For full coverage, see our Bagua sector guides.

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