What is a Kua Number in Feng Shui?

A Kua number (also spelled Gua number) is a personal Feng Shui calculation derived from your solar birth year and biological sex. It reveals your core elemental energy and maps out your four favorable and four unfavorable compass directions.

What if I was born in January or early February?

Feng Shui calculations follow the traditional Chinese Solar Calendar (Heliocentric solar terms), where the new year begins on Lichun (立春, Start of Spring), usually on February 3, 4, or 5. If your birthday falls before Lichun, you must use the previous calendar year as your birth year.

What if my Kua number calculation results in 5?

In the 9-palace Bagua system, the number 5 sits in the central Earth palace (Tai Ji). Because the center has no physical direction, males with Kua 5 take on the attributes of Kua 2 (Kun / West Group), and females with Kua 5 take on Kua 8 (Gen / West Group).

How should couples with different Kua groups arrange their bed?

If one partner belongs to the East Group and the other to the West Group, align the bed headboard with the primary income earner’s auspicious direction, while positioning the desk or other personal spaces in the other partner’s favorable direction.

What is the difference between East Group and West Group?

East Group people (Kua 1, 3, 4, 9) resonate with East, Southeast, North, and South (Water, Wood, Fire elements). West Group people (Kua 2, 5, 6, 7, 8) resonate with West, Southwest, Northwest, and Northeast (Earth and Metal elements).

Can I fix an inauspicious direction if I cannot move my furniture?

Yes! Physical movement is optimal, but Feng Shui cures such as living plants (Wood), warm lighting (Fire), ceramic items (Earth), metal bells/coins (Metal), or clean water features (Water) can effectively mitigate discordant energy.

All tools

Kua Number Calculator

Enter your birth year and gender to find your Kua number and favorable directions.

Enter your birth year and gender to find your Kua number and favorable directions.

Birth Year

Gender

How It Works

How to Use & Calculation Steps

Enter Your Birth Year

Input your four-digit solar birth year (e.g. 1988). Note: If born between Jan 1 and Feb 3/4 (before Lichun), use the previous year.

Select Your Biological Gender

Select male or female, as the calculation formula differs based on gender.

Get Your Kua Number & Directions

Click Calculate to reveal your Kua number (1–9), your group (East or West), and your personalized 8 directional map.

The Principles of Eight Mansions (Ba Zhai) & Kua Numbers

In Classical Chinese Feng Shui, the Eight Mansions (Ba Zhai 八宅) system assigns every person a personal energetic blueprint known as a Kua Number (命卦). Calculated based on your birth year and biological sex, your Kua number categorizes you into either the East Group (东四命) or the West Group (西四命).

Each group resonates with four positive directions (Auspicious / 吉) and four challenging directions (Inauspicious / 凶). By aligning your bed, desk, and front door with your favorable directions, you harmonize with the earth’s magnetic field and cultivate Qi (vital life force) for health, prosperity, and peace of mind.

Reference Chart

Complete 1–9 Kua Number Direction Reference Chart

Find your Kua number below to see your four lucky and four unlucky compass orientations.

Kua #	Group	Element	Sheng Qi (Wealth)	Tian Yi (Health)	Yan Nian (Love)	Fu Wei (Peace)	Jue Ming (Worst)
1 (Kan 坎)	East	Water	Southeast	East	South	North	Southwest
2 (Kun 坤)	West	Earth	Northeast	West	Northwest	Southwest	North
3 (Zhen 震)	East	Wood	South	North	Southeast	East	West
4 (Xun 巽)	East	Wood	North	South	East	Southeast	Northeast
5 (Male → 2)	West	Earth	Northeast	West	Northwest	Southwest	North
5 (Female → 8)	West	Earth	Southwest	Northwest	West	Northeast	Southeast
6 (Qian 乾)	West	Metal	West	Northeast	Southwest	Northwest	South
7 (Dui 兑)	West	Metal	Northwest	Southwest	Northeast	West	East
8 (Gen 艮)	West	Earth	Southwest	Northwest	West	Northeast	Southeast
9 (Li 离)	East	Fire	East	Southeast	North	South	Northwest

Practical Guide

How to Apply Your Kua Number to Your Home & Office

Bed Headboard Alignment (Sleeping Position)

Orient the crown of your head toward your Tian Yi (Health) or Yan Nian (Relationship) direction while sleeping to maximize deep rest and emotional harmony.

Work Desk & Office Orientation

Sit facing your Sheng Qi (Success/Wealth) or Fu Wei (Clarity/Focus) direction. Avoid having your back to an open doorway or facing a wall without support.

Front Door & Main Entrance

Ideally, the main entrance of the home should face one of the breadwinner’s auspicious directions. If not, use Feng Shui elemental cures near the entryway.

Remedying Inauspicious Directions

If your bed or desk must face an unlucky direction due to architectural constraints, place stabilizing elements (e.g. natural crystals, healthy plants, or brass wu lou) to calm turbulent energy.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert insights and answers to common questions.

Kua Number Calculator

How to Use & Calculation Steps

The Principles of Eight Mansions (Ba Zhai) & Kua Numbers

Complete 1–9 Kua Number Direction Reference Chart

How to Apply Your Kua Number to Your Home & Office

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Reading

Bagua Eight Trigrams Symbolism & Complete Correspondence Guide

100 Feng Shui Home Taboos: Complete Layout Mistakes & Remedies

Ancient Capital Feng Shui: Beijing Dragon Vein & Forbidden City