Basics & Calculation
What a Kua Number is, how to calculate it correctly (including the Feb 4 Li Chun rule), and how it connects to East/West life groups and the 8 Mansions system.
What Is a Kua Number?
Your Kua Number is a personal energy index derived from your birth year (solar calendar) and gender. It classifies you into the East Life Group (Kua 1, 3, 4, 9) or the West Life Group (Kua 2, 6, 7, 8). A special handling applies to 5 (see below).
Kua is best known for its role in 8 Mansions (favorable/unfavorable directions), but it also points to personality tendencies, health sensitivities, and strategic timing. For deeper life mapping, integrate it with your BaZi Day Master and Luck Pillars.
How to Calculate Your Kua (Correctly)
Important: Use the solar year boundary of Feb 4 (Li Chun). If born on Jan 1–Feb 3, treat your year as the previous year.
Then follow the steps below (reduce to a single digit when needed):
- Get the correct birth year (apply the Feb 4 Li Chun rule).
- Sum the digits of that year until you get one digit. Example: 1991 → 1+9+9+1=20 → 2+0=2.
- Apply gender formula:
Male
- Born before 2000:
10 − (year digit sum) - Born in/after 2000:
9 − (year digit sum)
Female
- Born before 2000:
(year digit sum) + 5, then reduce - Born in/after 2000:
(year digit sum) + 6, then reduce
- Born before 2000:
- Special handling for 5: if the result is 5, map to 2 (male) or 8 (female).
Quick Examples
Male, 1991-11-12 (after Feb 4)
Year sum = 2 → Kua = 10 − 2 = 8 (West Group)
Female, 2003-03-09
Year sum = 5 → 5 + 6 = 11 → 1+1 = 2 (West Group)
Female, 1990-01-30 (before Feb 4 ⇒ use 1989)
1989 sum = 9 → 9 + 5 = 14 → 1+4 = 5 ⇒ map to 8 (West Group)
Male, 2000-02-03 (before Feb 4 ⇒ use 1999)
1999 sum = 1 → 10 − 1 = 9 (East Group)
Fast path: use the Kua Calculator (Li Chun-aware) and then confirm with the steps here.
East vs West Life Groups
East Group
Kua 1, 3, 4, 9
These align naturally with the East-family directions in the 8 Mansions framework. For application and placements, see 8 Mansions & Feng Shui.
West Group
Kua 2, 6, 7, 8
These align with the West-family directions. Learn how to seat, sleep, and work with these sectors in 8 Mansions & Feng Shui.
House facing and layout matter. Combine personal Kua with your home/office plan for practical gains.
Directional Meanings (8 Mansions)
Favorable
- Sheng Qi — growth, career, wealth
- Tian Yi — health, recovery, stability
- Yan Nian — relationships, networks, trust
- Fu Wei — focus, study, calm
Unfavorable
- Jue Ming — major loss, critical setbacks
- Liu Sha — legal/petty conflicts
- Wu Gui — accidents, fires, disruptions
- Huo Hai — minor hassles, delays
Which directions these map to depends on your Kua. See placement specifics in 8 Mansions.
