The Hmong calendar (Pahawh: 𖬌𖬣𖬵 𖬊𖬞𖬰 𖬀𖬰𖬧𖬵 𖬂𖬯 𖬘𖬲𖬥𖬰; RPA: Hmoob daim teej cim zwj) is a lunar calendar used by the Hmong people since, according to Hmong legends and folklore, ancient times. Its origins are unknown.[1] However, it is believed to be created during ancient Hmong civilization in today’s country Mongolia. According to Hmong legends and folklore, it is said that ancient Hmong ancestral kings had created them to determine the best time when rituals, ceremonial events or activities can be performed in order to receive blessings or fortunes from the almighty god.
Features
The Hmong lunar calendar has a system of a set revolving cycles of days (Pahawh: 𖬆𖬰𖬩; RPA: Hnub), weeks (Pahawh: 𖬑𖬟𖬵; RPA: plua), months (Pahawh: 𖬃𖬥; RPA: Hli) and years (Pahawh: 𖬍𖬧𖬰; RPA: xyoo), along with moon cycles and Hmong zodiac[2]
The first cycle is the waning gibbous (Pahawh: 𖬃𖬥 𖬔𖬮; RPA: Hli xiab). This occurs within the first 14 days of the month, with a first half moon phase.
The second cycle is the full moon (Pahawh: 𖬃𖬥 𖬗𖬰𖬝; RPA: Hli ntsa). This occurs within the 15th day of the month, with a full moon phase.
The third cycle is the waxing gibbous (Pahawh: 𖬃𖬥 𖬃𖬲𖬬𖬰; RPA: Hli nqig). This occurs within the last 14 days of the month, with a second half moon phase. And after this, the cycle repeats, similar to that of east asian, southeast asian, and international moon cycles.
Moon counting system
International moon cycles
Hmong moon cycles
Day(s) counted
Waxing moon
Pahawh: 𖬃𖬥 𖬖𖬲𖬮; RPA: Hli xab
Day 1-14
Full moon
Pahawh: 𖬃𖬥 𖬗𖬰𖬝 / 𖬛𖬰𖬝; RPA: Hli ntsa / ntsaa
Day 15
Waning moon
Pahawh: 𖬃𖬥 𖬉𖬶𖬬𖬰; RPA: Hli nqeg
Day 16-29
New moon
Pahawh: 𖬃𖬥 𖬑𖬶𖬧𖬵 / 𖬛𖬶𖬧𖬵; RPA: Hli tuag / taag
Day 30
First appearing of waxing moon
repeats?
1st day
First quarter (half moon)
repeats?
8th day
Full moon
repeats?
15th day
Third quarter (half moon)
repeats?
22nd day
New moon
repeats?
30th day
Hmong zodiac
According to Hmong folklore, it is said that long time ago almighty god (Pahawh: 𖬏𖬲𖬤 𖬄𖬤𖬵; RPA: Yawg Saum) wanted to choose some animals to represent each Lunar Year, and if he only chooses domestic animals it wouldn't be fair toward wild animals - this incident was involved for both heaven and underworld. Therefore he chose half of domestic animals and the other half wild animals in a total of 12 zodiac animals (Pahawh: 𖭑𖭒 𖬇𖬲𖬧𖬵 𖬔𖬶𖬝𖬰 𖬗 𖬍𖬰𖬧𖬰; RPA: 12 tug tsiaj kav xyoo) to represent each Lunar New Year.[3][4] The 12 animals are as follows:
Rat (Pahawh: 𖬗𖬲𖬬 / 𖬛𖬲𖬬; RPA: Nas/ Naas)
Cow (Pahawh: 𖬆𖬶𖬮𖬵; RPA: Nyuj)
Tiger (Pahawh: 𖬒𖬶𖬝𖬰 / 𖬆𖬲𖬝𖬰; RPA: Tsov / Tsuv)
Rabbit (Pahawh: 𖬐𖬲𖬞; RPA: Luav)
Dragon (Pahawh: 𖬖𖬰𖬥𖬰 / 𖬚𖬰𖬥𖬰; RPA: Zaj / Zaaj)
Snake (Pahawh: 𖬖𖬲𖬬 / 𖬚𖬲𖬬; RPA: Nab / Naab)
Horse (Pahawh: 𖬁𖬰𖬬; RPA: Nees)
Goat (Pahawh: 𖬃𖬰𖬪𖬰; RPA: Tshis)
Monkey (Pahawh: 𖬔𖬞 / 𖬖𖬲𖬞; RPA: Liab / Lab)
Rooster (Pahawh: 𖬊𖬰𖬦𖬵 / 𖬖𖬲𖬦𖬵; RPA: Qaib / Qab)
Dog (Pahawh: 𖬉𖬞𖬰 / 𖬉𖬭𖬰; RPA: Dev / Dlev)
Pig (Pahawh: 𖬑𖬨𖬵; RPA: Npua)
Important facts
In each month, every moon cycle has 30 days.
Each year has about 354 days average.
Every 3 years, one full extra month (30 days) is added making 13 moon cycles; leap year.
In a 19 years span, about 7 additional months are added as leap month.
Based on Hmong farming (Pahawh: 𖬌𖬣𖬵 𖬒𖬶𖬯 𖬌𖬦𖬵 𖬍𖬰𖬞; RPA: Hmoob cov qoob loo), the leap year is considered to have 2 of the 8th month (Pahawh: 𖬐𖬰𖬦 𖭒 𖬆𖬰𖬞 𖬂𖬤 𖬃𖬥; RPA: muaj 2 lub yim hli)
Usages
Calculating age, time, generation(s), year(s); etc.
Determining a legal birth name (with great meanings—luck, fortune, blessing); and old age name; etc.[5]
Analyzing the cause of illness (whether physical, spiritual, or both); the best time to hunt, attend outdoor activities, doing businesses, making profits, etc.; nightmares; etc.
Foretelling risky or dangerous event(s)/situation(s); how to alter a risky pathway; etc.
