1890.] Babii Sai-atcliandra Das — Tibetan Zodiac. 5 



These eiglity-nine mansions are divided as follows — 



Eight Parkha, or factors of luck, which are distinguished by the 

 technical names of Khen, KJwn, Gin, Dva, Kliain, 8son, Li, and Ssin, are 

 supposed to exist at the eight points of the compass, beginning with 

 the south, which is always placed at the top. 



A particular Parlcha is supposed to belong to every individual in 

 every particular year, which may be determined by counting, in rotation, 

 from right to left, always beginning with the top Parlcha called Li 1. 



For instance a person aged 5, 13, 21, 29, 37 or 45 will have 

 Ivliam for his parkha in the present year 1890, another individual aged 4, 

 12, 20, 28, 36, 44, 52, will have khen for his par^Tia in the year 1890. 



Each of these ^arA;7irt. is surrounded by eight sub-mansions situated 

 in eight directions round it, which are sujDposed to contain four auspici- 

 ous and four inauspicious articles — Svastilca (sacred emblem of cross), 

 a gem, JDorje (thunderbolt), S'rwatsa (the emblem of love), \;ind a human 

 limb, five circles, symbolical of five devils, a wedge and a club, respectively. 

 When one has to start on a journey or expedition, he should avoid the 

 directions of the four inauspicious mansions. If he has to propitiate any 

 evil sj^irit he should throw the offerings intended for him towards the in- 

 ausjaicious directions. If he has to worship a friendly spirit or tutelary 

 deity he should place his offerings towards the mansion which contains 

 one of the five auspicioiis objects. 



The sixteen mansions that surround the central square of the figure, 

 are occupied by the four principal elements of the Tibetans, — fire, iron, 

 water and air. They are placed at the four cardinal points of the com- 

 pass, and have the twelve signs : — mouse, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, ser- 

 pent, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, and pig — called Lolchor chiiiii, 

 or the animals by which the years of the cycle of twelve years are 

 designated. 



The little tortoise (which is placed at the centre) represents the great 

 tortoise in his celestial form. The nine divisions marked as, 1, 2, 3, 4, 

 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, are called sme-wa dgi\ or the nine passages of exit. They 

 are supposed to contain five spiritual beings in each, be they gods or 

 demons — and are used to ascertain the state of existence an individual 

 had in past, or will have in future life. 



The system of astronomy and chronology formed on the Indian 

 principle is called " Kar-tsi." Astrological calculations, especially the 

 black art, and the mode of reckoning years, in the Chinese manner, are 

 denominated by, the Tibetans as " Nak-tsi." 



The most common method of reckoning time among the people at 

 large in Tibet, generally in calculating the yeai-s or in determining the 



