Do you ever feel like you're working hard but not moving forward? Or maybe your home looks beautiful but something feels off? This feeling of being out of sync with your surroundings happens to many people. What if you had a personal guide, a special code to help arrange your space to support your goals for money, health, and happiness?
This is the power of your personal feng shui energy number. Called the Kua Number, this simple number is the foundation of personalized Feng Shui. It creates a map designed just for your personal energy, showing you how to tap into the most helpful forces in your home and office.
By the end of this guide, you will know exactly how to calculate your Kua number, understand what it means, and most importantly, how to use it to find your four most powerful directions. This is the key to changing your space from just a place to live into a powerful tool for success and well-being.
What is a Kua Number?

The Kua Number is a personal number you keep for life that comes from your birth year and gender. It is a basic part of the Eight Mansions (Ba Zhai) school of Feng Shui, one of the oldest and most popular methods. Think of it as your energy signature.
This number shows how your personal Qi, or life force energy, works with the energies of the eight main directions around your home. While general Feng Shui tips can help, they often don't have the precision needed for big changes. The Kua number provides that missing piece.
Your Kua Number is your personal compass for understanding the energies of your home and office. It helps you move beyond basic tips and use strategies made just for you.
Understanding your feng shui energy number means you can deliberately position yourself to receive the most positive and helpful energies. It helps you arrange your key living and working areas—your desk, your bed, your front door—to line up with directions that naturally boost your wealth, health, relationships, and personal growth. It is the first and most important step in taking control of your personal environment.
How to Calculate Your Kua
Calculating your Kua number is a simple process. However, one important detail must be handled first to make sure you get the right answer.
Important: Use the Chinese Solar Calendar
Feng Shui calculations do not use the regular calendar year starting on January 1st. Instead, they use the Chinese Solar Calendar, where the new year begins on February 4th or 5th. If your birthday falls in January or on the first few days of February, you must use the previous year for your calculation. For example, if you were born on January 20, 1985, you would use 1984 for the calculation.
With that in mind, follow the steps below for your gender and birth era.
For Males
Born Before the Year 2000
- Take the last two digits of your birth year. Add them together.
- If the sum has two digits, add those two digits together until you get a single digit.
- Subtract this single digit from 10. The result is your Kua number.
Example 1: A man born in 1985.
1. Birth year is '85. Add the last two digits: 8 + 5 = 13.
2. The sum has two digits, so add them: 1 + 3 = 4.
3. Subtract this from 10: 10 - 4 = 6.
4. His Kua number is 6.
Born in 2000 or Later
- Take the last two digits of your birth year. Add them together.
- If the sum has two digits, add those two digits together until you get a single digit.
- Subtract this single digit from 9. The result is your Kua number.
Example 2: A boy born in 2012.
1. Birth year is '12. Add the last two digits: 1 + 2 = 3.
2. The sum is a single digit.
3. Subtract this from 9: 9 - 3 = 6.
4. His Kua number is 6.
For Females
Born Before the Year 2000
- Take the last two digits of your birth year. Add them together.
- If the sum has two digits, add those two digits together until you get a single digit.
- Add 5 to this single digit. If the result has two digits, add them together to get a final single digit. This is your Kua number.
Example 3: A woman born in 1990.
1. Birth year is '90. Add the last two digits: 9 + 0 = 9.
2. The sum is a single digit.
3. Add 5 to this sum: 9 + 5 = 14.
4. The result has two digits, so add them: 1 + 4 = 5.
5. Her Kua number is 5. (See the Kua 5 Rule below).
Born in 2000 or Later
- Take the last two digits of your birth year. Add them together.
- If the sum has two digits, add those two digits together until you get a single digit.
- Add 6 to this single digit. If the result has two digits, add them together to get a final single digit. This is your Kua number.
Example 4: A woman born in 2003.
1. Birth year is '03. Add the last two digits: 0 + 3 = 3.
2. The sum is a single digit.
3. Add 6 to this sum: 3 + 6 = 9.
4. Her Kua number is 9.
The Kua 5 Rule
In the Eight Mansions system, there is no Kua number 5. If your final calculation results in the number 5, apply the following rule:
- Males with a result of 5 become Kua number 2.
- Females with a result of 5 become Kua number 8.
So, for the woman in Example 3 born in 1990, whose calculation resulted in 5, her actual Kua number is 8.
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Find Your Kua Instantly
If you prefer to skip the math, you can use the reference table below to find your Kua number instantly. Remember to check your birth date. If you were born in January or early February, look up the previous year.
| Birth Year | Kua for Male | Kua for Female |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 4 | 2 |
| 1951 | 3 | 3 |
| 1952 | 2 | 4 |
| 1953 | 1 | 5 (becomes 8) |
| 1954 | 9 | 6 |
| 1955 | 8 | 7 |
| 1956 | 7 | 8 |
| 1957 | 6 | 9 |
| 1958 | 5 (becomes 2) | 1 |
| 1959 | 4 | 2 |
| 1960 | 3 | 3 |
| 1961 | 2 | 4 |
| 1962 | 1 | 5 (becomes 8) |
| 1963 | 9 | 6 |
| 1964 | 8 | 7 |
| 1965 | 7 | 8 |
| 1966 | 6 | 9 |
| 1967 | 5 (becomes 2) | 1 |
| 1968 | 4 | 2 |
| 1969 | 3 | 3 |
| 1970 | 2 | 4 |
| 1971 | 1 | 5 (becomes 8) |
| 1972 | 9 | 6 |
| 1973 | 8 | 7 |
| 1974 | 7 | 8 |
| 1975 | 6 | 9 |
| 1976 | 5 (becomes 2) | 1 |
| 1977 | 4 | 2 |
| 1978 | 3 | 3 |
| 1979 | 2 | 4 |
| 1980 | 1 | 5 (becomes 8) |
| 1981 | 9 | 6 |
| 1982 | 8 | 7 |
| 1983 | 7 | 8 |
| 1984 | 6 | 9 |
| 1985 | 5 (becomes 2) | 1 |
| 1986 | 4 | 2 |
| 1987 | 3 | 3 |
| 1988 | 2 | 4 |
| 1989 | 1 | 5 (becomes 8) |
| 1990 | 9 | 6 |
| 1991 | 8 | 7 |
| 1992 | 7 | 8 |
| 1993 | 6 | 9 |
| 1994 | 5 (becomes 2) | 1 |
| 1995 | 4 | 2 |
| 1996 | 3 | 3 |
| 1997 | 2 | 4 |
| 1998 | 1 | 5 (becomes 8) |
| 1999 | 9 | 6 |
| 2000 | 8 | 7 |
| 2001 | 7 | 8 |
| 2002 | 6 | 9 |
| 2003 | 5 (becomes 2) | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 | 5 (becomes 8) |
| 2008 | 9 | 6 |
| 2009 | 8 | 7 |
| 2010 | 7 | 8 |
| 2011 | 6 | 9 |
| 2012 | 5 (becomes 2) | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 | 3 |

| 2015 | 2 | 4 |
East and West Groups
Every feng shui energy number belongs to one of two groups: the East Group or the West Group. This grouping is the key to understanding your compatibility with different directions and even with other people. It's not that one group is better than the other; rather, they represent two different energy systems that work best with different directional alignments.
The East Group
- East Group Kua Numbers: 1, 3, 4, 9
- Lucky Directions: North, East, Southeast, South
People in the East Group are energetically supported by the directions of their group. They do best when their homes and key furniture pieces (like beds and desks) are positioned to face North, East, Southeast, or South. The energies of these directions are mainly connected to the elements of Water (North), Wood (East, Southeast), and Fire (South).
The West Group
- West Group Kua Numbers: 2, 6, 7, 8
- Lucky Directions: Southwest, Northwest, West, Northeast
People in the West Group find their best support from their matching directions. They do best when facing Southwest, Northwest, West, or Northeast. The energies here are linked to the elements of Earth (Southwest, Northeast) and Metal (West, Northwest).
Understanding your group is basic. An East Group person will find that their four "lucky" directions are the four main directions of the East Group, while their four "unlucky" directions are those of the West Group (and the opposite is true). This is why a direction that brings huge success to one person might feel draining to another. This idea also applies to relationships; people from the same group often experience a more natural energy harmony when living or working together. When people from different groups share a space, it simply requires more careful balancing to ensure both are supported.
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Your Personal Feng Shui Map
Now we arrive at the most practical and powerful part of this guide: your personal map of lucky directions. Based on your Kua number, you have four good and four bad directions. We will focus on the good ones, as using these brings the most significant benefits.
These four lucky directions each govern a specific area of life. Knowing them allows you to strategically align yourself to attract the energy you need most.
- Sheng Chi (Prosperity / Wealth): This is your top direction for success, financial growth, and energy. It's your personal power direction.
- Tian Yi (Health): This is your heavenly doctor direction. It supports healing, recovery from illness, and overall physical and mental well-being.
- Nian Yan (Relationships): This direction encourages harmony in love, family, and social connections. It helps attract and maintain supportive relationships.
- Fu Wei (Personal Growth): This is your stability direction. It promotes mental clarity, focus, and personal development, making it ideal for study and meditation.
The four unlucky directions (Huo Hai, Liu Sha, Wu Gui, Jue Ming) are simply the ones to avoid for important activities. Don't fear them; just minimize your exposure by not having your bed, desk, or stove facing these directions.
Use the table below to find your four lucky directions.
| Kua # | Sheng Chi (Wealth) | Tian Yi (Health) | Nian Yan (Relationships) | Fu Wei (Growth) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southeast | East | South | North |
| 2 | Northeast | West | Northwest | Southwest |
| 3 | South | North | Southeast | East |
| 4 | East | Southeast | North | South |
| 6 | West | Northeast | Southwest | Northwest |
| 7 | Northwest | Southwest | Northeast | West |
| 8 | Southwest | Northwest | West | Northeast |
| 9 | North | South | East | Southeast |
Practical Ways to Use It
Knowledge is only powerful when applied. Here are practical, real-world strategies to start using your lucky directions today. The goal is to align the two most important things—your bed and your desk—with these supportive energies.
For Career & Wealth
Your Sheng Chi direction is your money-maker.
* Position your office desk so you are facing this direction while you work. This aligns your active, productive energy with the force of prosperity.
* If you work from home, this is the single most important adjustment you can make.
* If you can't change your desk's position, try to have the main door of your office or the room you work in located in your Sheng Chi sector of the building.
For Health & Well-being
Your Tian Yi direction promotes rest and healing.
* Align your bed so that the crown of your head points towards your Tian Yi direction while you sleep. This is known as the "headboard pointing" direction.
* If this isn't possible, try to spend relaxing time, such as reading or meditating, in the Tian Yi sector of your home or living room.
* This is also a good direction for a kitchen stove to face, as it fills the food with healing energy.
For Love & Harmony
Your Nian Yan direction nurtures your connections.
* This is an excellent direction for the headboard of a couple's bed to point towards to encourage harmony.
* It's also an ideal location for the dining room table, where family and friends gather, to encourage pleasant conversation and strong bonds.
* If you are single and looking for a partner, facing this direction during social activities can be helpful.
For Focus & Growth
Your Fu Wei direction brings stability and clarity.
* This is the perfect direction for a study desk, especially for students, as it helps concentration and learning.
* It's an excellent direction to face during meditation, yoga, or any practice aimed at self-improvement and inner peace.
* Placing a comfortable armchair facing this direction can create a personal sanctuary for clear thinking and planning.
"What If" Scenarios
Real life is rarely perfect. Here's how to handle common challenges:
- "What if my best direction (Sheng Chi) points to a solid wall?"
-
Solution: This is perfectly fine. Your energy projects outwards. You can still face the wall. To enhance it, place an inspiring image, your diploma, or a vision board on that wall. You are energetically "facing" your goals.
-
"What if my Health direction (Tian Yi) is in the bathroom?"
-
Solution: This is not ideal, as bathrooms have a draining energy. The first rule is to always keep the bathroom door closed and the toilet lid down. Keep the space very clean and well-ventilated. To counter the energy, you can place a healthy, growing plant just outside the bathroom door in that sector to help "lift" the Qi.
-
"I rent my apartment and can't change the layout of my desk or bed."
- Solution: Focus on what you can control. The power of Feng Shui lies in intention and small, consistent adjustments. If you can't move your desk, can you turn your chair slightly during important phone calls to face a good direction? Can you position yourself to face your Nian Yan direction when eating meals with your family? Even these small acts of alignment send a powerful message to the universe. The key is to start where you are and use what you have.
Conclusion
You now have a uniquely personal tool for improving your life. Your feng shui energy number, or Kua number, is not a magical charm but a practical guide to aligning yourself with the natural energies that can support your goals.
You've learned how to calculate your number, identify whether you belong to the East or West group, and pinpoint your four most lucky directions for wealth, health, relationships, and personal growth. This knowledge empowers you to make simple yet powerful changes in your environment.
Remember, Feng Shui is a journey of continuous improvement, not a destination with a single quick fix. Start small. Choose one area—your desk or your bed—and make one adjustment. Pay attention to how you feel. By making these small, gradual changes, you begin to consciously co-create a life and an environment that are in perfect harmony with your goals. You have the map; now it's time to take the first step.
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