What Is a Feng Shui Kua Number?

Kua numbers are a system of numerology based on your birth year and sex that is used in feng shui. It’s also known as the Eight Mansions or Eight Houses of Feng Shui. Your Kua number is used to determine your favorable directions to face and locations for important areas of your home such as your front door and bedroom. It also offers insight into your energetic compatibility with other people.

The Eight Mansions is often used by the Classical and Flying Stars Schools of feng shui. It’s also sometimes used by practitioners of the BTB and Western schools. Not all feng shui practitioners use Kua numbers. A practitioner may or may not use your Kua number in combination with your Chinese astrology, Nine Star Ki, and other modalities to advise you during your feng shui consultation.

How to Calculate Your Personal Kua Number

Your Kua number is based on your birth year and your sex at birth. If you strongly identify with another gender, use what you’re most comfortable with. Because this modality is based on the Chinese calendar, if you were born before February 4, you’re considered the year prior. So, if you’re born Jan 3, 1976, use 1975 for your birth year. If you were born right around February 4, it’s recommended you consult an expert or look up your year with a Chinese Almanac.

For Women

• Add all the digits of your birth year. 
• Example: 1979: 1 + 9 + 7 + 9 = 26
• Keep reducing to a single digit:
• 2 + 6 = 8
• Add 4 to your single-digit number
• 8 + 4 = 12
• Reduce to a single-digit number, if required
• 1 + 2 = 3
• 3 is the personal Kua number for women born in 1979.

If you get 5, your personal Kua number is 8.

For Men

• Add all the digits of your birth year. 
• Example: 1980: 1 + 9 + 8 + 0 = 18
• Keep reducing to a single digit:
• 1 + 8 = 9
• Subtract that number from 11
• 11 - 9 = 2
• Reduce to a single-digit number, if required
• 2 is the personal Kua number for males born in 1980.

If you get 5, your personal Kua number is 2.

Kua Numbers and Corresponding Bagua Areas

With your Kua number, you receive information on your lucky directions to face and the best locations for areas such as your front door and bedroom. Your Kua number offers you ways to enhance your feng shui.

• 1: Kan, North
• 2: Kun, South-West
• 3: Zhen, East
• 4: Xun, South-East
• 6: Qian, North-West
• 7: Dui, West
• 8: Gen, North-East
• 9: Li, South

East and West Groups

In general, the Kua numbers and directions in your group are lucky for you. For example, if you are in the East group, your auspicious directions are north, east, south-east, and south. However, the directions in the West group are not ideal and possibly challenging.

East Group Kua Numbers 

• 1: Kan, North
• 3: Zhen, East
• 4: Xun, South-East
• 9: Li, South

West Group Kua Numbers

• 2: Kun, South-West
• 6: Qian, North-West
• 7: Dui, West
• 8: Gen, North-East

Ideally, you should face the favorable directions in your group. This means your eyes will be looking in that cardinal direction, whether it be north or north-east, for example. 

Conflicting Kua Numbers in Partnerships

For the novice, the unlucky directions often provoke fear. You might fret over the fact that you and your partner are in opposite directional groups, for example. Jillian Rothschild-Scholar, a classical feng shui practitioner and Eight Mansions expert, explained that this doesn’t mean that the relationship is doomed or that the household cannot thrive. There are advanced applications with experienced practitioners that can skillfully work the east and west groups together. There’s wisdom in the challenges. And remember, these are guidelines to support you. Do the best with what you have.

Keeping Kua Numbers in Perspective

Your feng shui Kua number is a powerful tool to use, even in simple ways such as what direction to face when you’re sitting at your desk. But if it starts to become obsessive and difficult, consider stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. Let the wisdom help you, rather than hold you back.