Lo Shu Grid Calculator

The Lo Shu grid is a 3 × 3 magic square in which every row, column and diagonal adds up to 15. In numerology, the digits of your date of birth are placed in it to show which numbers you have, which repeat and which are missing. The grid is always laid out like this:

• Top row: 4 · 9 · 2
• Middle row: 3 · 5 · 7
• Bottom row: 8 · 1 · 6

Each digit of your date of birth goes into its own square. Zeros are ignored, because the grid has no square for 0. A digit that appears twice is written twice.

Worked example: 14-08-1990

• Digits: 1, 4, 0, 8, 1, 9, 9, 0. The two zeros are dropped.
• Placed: 1 twice, 4 once, 8 once, 9 twice.
• Repeated: 1 and 9.
• Missing: 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7.

Some traditions also add the Mulank and Bhagyank to the grid. For this date both are 5, so 5 would appear twice and the missing numbers would become 2, 3, 6 and 7.

The Lo Shu comes from Chinese tradition and is now widely used in Indian numerology.

Each square is traditionally linked to its number's qualities and planet, the same links used for the Mulank and Bhagyank. A present number is read as a quality that comes naturally. A repeated number suggests that quality is strong, sometimes strong enough to need balancing. A missing number suggests a quality that may need more conscious effort.

Many practitioners also read complete rows, columns and diagonals as "planes". The top row, 4-9-2, is often called the mental plane, the middle row, 3-5-7, the emotional plane, and the bottom row, 8-1-6, the practical plane. In the example above, the top row has 4 and 9 but no 2, so that plane is incomplete. Names and readings for the planes vary between books.

Almost everyone has missing numbers. A date of birth has only eight digits for nine squares, and zeros and repeats leave further gaps. A missing number is not a defect or a dosh, and it does not need a product to "fill" it. Read the grid as an indication for reflection, not a reading.

To see where your Mulank and Bhagyank come from, use the numerology calculator. For a considered reading, see numerology consultation.