Qi Men Dun Jia — Interpretation Guide (斷卦指引)
Interpreting a Qi Men chart requires reading multiple symbolic layers simultaneously. The Gate-Star-Deity trinity in each palace creates a layered meaning that addresses different dimensions of the question.
Reading Protocol: The Question-Palace Method
Different question types use different reference palaces:
- Self (用神位): The palace occupied by Zhi Fu (值符) star = the querent
- Target (應事位): The palace relevant to the matter being asked about
- Outcome (結果宮): Where the interaction between Self and Target leads
Gate Interpretations by Domain
- Life Gate (生門 — Palace 8 base): Ideal for business, medical treatment, seeking employment, investments, new ventures. Among the three auspicious gates, Life Gate has the strongest material and financial energy.
- Rest Gate (休門 — Palace 1 base): Ideal for rest, recovery, water-related matters, spiritual cultivation, long-distance travel, and concealment. Best for affairs needing stillness or retreating.
- Opening Gate (開門 — Palace 6 base): Ideal for official business, applying for positions, meeting authority figures, signing contracts, starting construction, travel in authority-related matters.
- Injury Gate (傷門 — Palace 3 base): Mixed. Good for hunting, litigation, law enforcement, confrontations. Poor for health and family harmony.
- Scenery Gate (景門 — Palace 9 base): Good for writing, publicity, examination, expression. Fire nature — can scatter energy.
- Obstruction Gate (杜門 — Palace 4 base): Good for concealment, escape, hiding information, private affairs. Poor for open or public matters.
- Fear Gate (驚門 — Palace 2 base): Generally inauspicious. Associated with shocks, accidents, lawsuits, betrayal, and unstable situations.
- Death Gate (死門 — Palace 2 base): Most inauspicious of all. Associated with endings, funerals, severe illness, imprisonment. Only useful for hunting, demolition, or military strike.
The Three Wonders Formation (三奇格)
When the stems Yi (乙), Bing (丙), and Ding (丁) appear together in appropriate palace relationships, they form the supremely auspicious Three Wonders (三奇) formation. This is one of the highest auspicious configurations in Qi Men practice, indicating extraordinary opportunity and celestial support.