India, July 26 -- Many people know about the Chinese zodiac and the 12 zodiac animals, but another tradition has been part of Chinese metaphysics for centuries. It is called the BaZi Almanac, and it is used by practitioners to select dates they believe are favourable for important life events.

Unlike a standard calendar that simply tells you the day and date, a BaZi Almanac is based on the Chinese lunar calendar and traditional metaphysical principles. It is often consulted before major occasions such as weddings, moving into a new home, opening a business, signing contracts or beginning a new project.

The word BaZi means "Eight Characters." It refers to the eight Chinese characters that make up a person's birth chart. These characters ...