What Is the Kua Number?
The Kua number (卦, guà) is the key tool of the Eight Mansions Feng Shui system (八宅, Ba Zhai). Based on birth year and gender, a single digit from 1 to 9 (excluding 5) is calculated. This number assigns four auspicious and four inauspicious compass directions to the individual. The Ba Zhai system holds that each person "resonates" with specific directions that strengthen their vital energy, health, relationships and prosperity. The four auspicious directions are: Sheng Chi (生气) — best life energy; Tian Yi (天医) — health; Yan Nian (延年) — longevity and relationships; Fu Wei (伏位) — personal growth. The four inauspicious directions: Ho Hai (祸害), Wu Gui (五鬼), Lui Sha (六煞), Jue Ming (绝命).
How to Calculate Your Kua Number
Formula for males: sum the last two digits of the birth year (if the sum > 9, sum again), then subtract from 10. If the result is 5, use 2. Formula for females: sum the last two digits of the birth year (if > 9, sum again), add 5. If the result > 9, sum again. If the result is 5, use 8. Examples: Male born in 1986: 8+6=14 → 1+4=5 → 10-5=5 → Kua 2. Female born in 1990: 9+0=9, 9+5=14 → 1+4=5 → Kua 8. Note: the Chinese year begins around February 4 — if born before that date, use the previous Chinese year.
East and West Groups
The Ba Zhai system divides Kua numbers into two groups. The East Group (东四命) includes Kua numbers: 1, 3, 4, 9. Their auspicious directions lie to the east: East, South-East, South, North. The West Group (西四命) includes Kua numbers: 2, 6, 7, 8. Their auspicious directions are: West, South-West, North-West, North-East. The key principle: the ideal home has a main entrance facing one of your 4 auspicious directions, and your bed is positioned so that you sleep with your head pointing in an auspicious direction (Sheng Chi or Tian Yi). The kitchen and bathroom should ideally be located in inauspicious zones — they "neutralise" bad Chi.
Four Auspicious Directions in Detail
Sheng Chi (生气, literally "growing Chi") is the direction of the strongest life energy and success. Positioning a desk or bed headboard towards this direction supports career and prosperity. Tian Yi (天医, "Heavenly Doctor") is the health and recovery direction — good for placing the bed when ill or for locating the master bedroom. Yan Nian (延年, "Extended Years") supports longevity, harmonious relationships and marriage. Fu Wei (伏位, "Inner Position") favours personal development, study and self-improvement. In practice: a main entrance facing Sheng Chi is the top priority when buying or renting a home.
Four Inauspicious Directions
Ho Hai (祸害, "Accidents and Events") is the mildest of the inauspicious directions — associated with minor problems and frustrations. Wu Gui (五鬼, "Five Ghosts") brings confusion, gossip and relationship problems. Lui Sha (六煞, "Six Killings") is associated with conflict, illness and financial loss. Jue Ming (绝命, "Total Destruction") is the strongest inauspicious direction — linked to serious illness, accidents and catastrophe. Recommendation: bathrooms, storage rooms and kitchens should be located in inauspicious zones. Avoid bedrooms with Jue Ming and Lui Sha.
Kua and Other Feng Shui Systems
Ba Zhai (Kua number) is one of several major Feng Shui systems. Another popular one is Flying Stars (Xuan Kong Fei Xing) — which analyses changing energies over time per sector of the home. Ba Zhai is "fixed" — your Kua number does not change throughout your life. These systems are not contradictory, but complementary: Ba Zhai gives you a personal compass of directions; Flying Stars describes the energies of a space in a given year. Classical Feng Shui consultations combine both. The Tong Shu is also checked for each day — combining personal Kua, spatial energy and the quality of the day gives the full picture.
Practical Application: Office, Bedroom, Entrance
The three most important points in a home according to Ba Zhai are: the main entrance (door), the bedroom (bed) and the desk or work chair. Main entrance: facing Sheng Chi or Tian Yi attracts auspicious Chi into the home. Bedroom: sleep with your head pointing towards Sheng Chi (career/success) or Tian Yi (health). Desk: sit facing Sheng Chi for important work or negotiations. If you cannot rearrange furniture — use the directions informally: sit facing Sheng Chi even in a restaurant or meeting. This is a simple, everyday low-cost practice with high symbolic value in the tradition.
When Feng Shui Systems Disagree — What to Choose?
A practitioner using both Ba Zhai (Kua) and Flying Stars may encounter contradictions: your Sheng Chi direction points South, but the 2026 annual stars place Star 2 (illness) there. Classical hierarchy: Flying Stars (dynamic, annual) take priority for short-term decisions — sector activation, renovation, positioning a desk for the year. Ba Zhai (static, lifelong) dominates for long-term choices such as bedroom placement and permanent furniture layout. Tong Shu adds a third layer: the specific day on which to activate a sector. When Kua direction conflicts with annual stars: keep your Kua direction for sleeping (long-term exposure), but defer to the annual stars for active daytime use of a space.