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Within the Qi Men Dun Jia system, Doors symbolise the potential outcome of an individual’s actions. Qi Men Dun Jia (奇门遁甲) is a complex and comprehensive form of Chinese divination that roots itself in astronomical calculations and consists of various aspects of Chinese metaphysics. This method of divination provides you with a forecast of how a situation may unfold. In addition, it is also used in the accurate selection of exact times and directions to take action and produce desired results.

The History of Qi Men Dun Jia

Within the realm of Qi Men Dun Jia, lies a motto that encapsulates the essence of this ancient art: “运筹帷幄之中、决胜千里之外”, which translates to “Devising strategies within a command tent, determines successes miles away.” This phrase emphasises the significance and value of planning and foresight in achieving victories that stretch far beyond the present moment.

Qi Men Dun Jia finds its origins in ancient Chinese military strategies, once utilised in strategic planning and decision-making during times of war. It was originally a secretive art form developed for, and used by Chinese emperors and their imperial advisors.

Since its emergence no less than 4600 years ago, the wisdom of Qi Men Dun Jia has permeated the annals of Chinese history, notably during the Warring States period. Renowned strategists such as Jiang Ziya (姜子牙), Liu Bo Wen (刘伯温), and Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) harnessed its power in navigating the complexities of strategic decision-making, ensuring supreme triumph in battle, and the execution of those well-devised strategies.

According to Chinese legend, the Western Han-dynasty military strategist and politician Zhang Liang (张良) simplified the strategies behind Qi Men Dun Jia, using them in an uprising against Qin Er Shi (秦二世). The result of this contributed greatly to the establishment of the Han dynasty. Its techniques are also believed to have been utilised during the Warring States period during the Battle of Red Cliffs in the defeat of Cao Cao’s navy.

Qi Men Dun Jia has since grown to adapt to contemporary applications — notably that of business and finance. By harnessing the principles of Qi Men Dun Jia, we can navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with confidence and precision.

Understanding Qi Men Dun Jia

Qi Men Dun Jia is a comprehensive Chinese divination technique based on astronomical observations, consisting of various aspects and concepts in Chinese metaphysics — including Yin and Yang (阴阳), the Five Elements (五行), 10 Heavenly Stems (十天干), the Eight Trigrams (八卦) and the 24 Solar Terms (二十四节气).

In the Qi Men Dun Jia system, the representation of the door holds a significant role in reflecting human factors, like the immediate environment. For example, job opportunities that reflect the Open Door (开门) are likely to yield positive results.

The quality of the door indicates the potential outcome of your actions. A favourable door suggests that the actions you embark upon will likely yield positive results. It signifies a path that is aligned with success and favourable outcomes. Conversely, an unfavourable door implies that the actions you take may lead to unfavourable results.

Qi Men Dun Jia Fundamentals — Eight Doors

A Qi Men Dun Jia chart comprises a 3-by-3 grid known as the Nine Palaces (九宮). Alongside the Heaven and Earth plate, the Spirit plate, and the Star plate, the Eight Doors hold great significance. The various symbols within the Nine Palaces rotate with each double hour of the day, resulting in an astounding 1,080 unique configurations. Within this intricate system, the Eight Doors stand as one of the focal points, alongside the Palaces and elemental interactions between Trigrams, guiding and influencing the flow of cosmic energies.

In this article, we will explore the Eight Doors, which is listed as follows:

Door	Description
Injury Door (伤门)	The Injury door, associated with the Wood element, holds diverse interpretations. It can signify various scenarios, such as a house surrounded by trees, the presence of wooden objects, engaging in exercise, exhibiting aggression, or significant financial expenditure. The Injury door is often favoured by individuals who thrive on taking proactive action and leading the way. However, it is important to note that this door is not without challenges. Those who choose the Injury door must be prepared for potential obstacles and pushback. While it offers opportunities for rewards and progress, it requires swift and decisive actions, a significant investment of resources, and considerable effort. The Injury door is akin to a fierce warrior who enters the market first but may face resistance and setbacks.
Delusion Door (杜门)	The Delusion door, also linked to the Wood element, is considered a negative door within the Qi Men Dun Jia system. It represents a retreating nature and is often used to escape potential crimes or avoid unwanted attention. Introverted individuals who seek to remain hidden from creditors or other undesired parties may find solace in the Delusion door. This door finds applications in career decisions, daily choices, and buying or selling transactions. When the Delusion door appears in a person's year stem, it indicates a preference for secrecy and a reserved disposition. If the individual's life stem aligns with the Delusion door, it suggests a period of adversity and bad luck. In the context of career and studies, the Delusion door takes precedence during interviews or new job offers, while the Open door represents the current job or situation. Moreover, the Delusion door serves as a reference point for evaluating the suitability of specific subjects of study, aiding in comprehensive analysis and decision-making.
Scenery Door (景门)	The Scenery door, associated with the Fire element, possesses both positive and negative connotations. It attracts attention during interviews and is linked to happiness and outspokenness. Symbolically, this door represents social media, the market, news, cities, sunny areas, technology, telecommunications, and fashion. When the Scenery door appears in a person's year stem, it signifies attractiveness, provided it does not align with the water or metal palace. The principles of compel, counter, and the graveyard stages should be applied to analyze the effects of the Scenery door. It acts as a focal point for verifying the authenticity of news and information.
Growth Door (生门)	The Growth door, embodying the Earth element, signifies rising fortunes and amplification in various aspects of life. It represents growth in business, relationships, careers, studies, income generation, trading, marriage, fame-seeking endeavours, and seeking medical treatment. The Growth door is highly auspicious, but its effectiveness diminishes when it enters the graveyard stage. This door is associated with progress, expansion, and the realisation of goals. It offers favourable opportunities for personal endeavours and the pursuit of success. However, it is less suited for severing ties or disengaging from certain aspects of life.
Fear Door (惊门)	The Fear door, representing the Metal element, signifies uncertainty, paralysis and being overwhelmed with information. It may also indicate mental illness or extreme frustration, leading to indecisiveness and hindered progress. The Fear door offers limited utility except for situations involving the manipulation or intimidation of others. It does not facilitate direct attacks but provides opportunities for ensnarement and deception. When the Fear door appears in a person's life stem, it suggests incompetence, frustration, and a tendency to shift blame onto others. It stands in contrast to the Injury door, which represents clarity of purpose and resolute action.
Open Door (开门)	The Open door, associated with the Metal element, represents the initiation of endeavours and favourable opportunities for new beginnings. It contrasts with the Delusion door, signifying a readiness to step out and embrace new paths. The Open door provides the necessary energy and enthusiasm for launching ventures and pursuing ambitions. It is particularly advantageous for startups, and the involvement of an Ambassador further augments its positive influence. The combination of the Bing (丙) and Ding (丁) stems indicates noble support and success in entrepreneurial endeavours. The effects of the Open door should be assessed within the context of the compel, counter, or graveyard stages.
Rest Door (休门)	The Rest door, linked to the Water element, symbolizes tranquillity, stability, and a state of repose. It offers respite from the demands of life and ensures a serene existence. When the Rest door appears in a person's life stem, it suggests a smooth and peaceful journey. This door finds application in assessing business status, evaluating employee personalities, determining the suitability of health-related classes, examining family relationship dynamics, and evaluating partnership or marriage compatibility. In backend aspects of business operations, such as recruitment and training, the Rest door is favourable. However, caution must be exercised if its influence extends to sales-related endeavours, as it may foster laziness. Thorough examination within the context of the compel, counter, or graveyard stages is necessary to understand its impact.
Death Door (死门)	The Death Door is very inauspicious, representing the end. It is the opposite of the Growth Door. It signifies slow progress and a lack of skills in pursuing your personal or professional endeavours. In relationships, the presence of the Death Door indicates an impending end or a sour relationship. When seeking a mentor, a mentor with a Death Door symbolises their incompetence.

Applications of Qi Men Dun Jia

Benefitting from clear and distinct action plans, the Qi Men Dun Jia divination system cannot be used in circumstances where individuals are unsure of the specifics they want to pursue. Today, this system is often applied to predict a specific outcome and in the selection of an auspicious time to execute plans. In some instances, it is combined with Imperial Feng Shui to leverage positive energy for the benefit of its users. While Qi Men Dun Jia indicates the pros and cons of a specific decision, it is ultimately up to the individual to take appropriate action.

Potential questions that Qi Men Dun Jia may be applied to:

• “I want to know if my job interview will result in a good job offer.”
  When examining two aspects of the question — “Will I get the job offer?” and “Is it a good job?” — through the scope of Qi Men Dun Jia, the presence of the Open Door, which produces the person inquiring, suggests a positive outcome in obtaining the job offer.
• “What is the market receptivity of my new product?”
  When considering the market receptivity of products upon their launch, an analysis of the situation could indicate if the market is already saturated, which may suggest a longer time before seeing success. It may also indicate the potential for profitability, especially if the Growth Door is present for the person inquiring.
• “Will I profit from this business venture?”
  Qi Men Dun Jia could indicate instances of arguments or conflicts with others, which might not be suitable for individuals who prefer to avoid confrontations or struggle with emotional stress. Furthermore, it could also point out that the venture could lead to the development of unfavourable habits. It’s important to consider these drawbacks and assess whether the associated cons align with personal preferences and goals.

Qi Men Dun Jia at Imperial Harvest

At Imperial Harvest, Master David has distilled and condensed the art of Qi Men Dun Jia into a convenient and beginner-friendly chart. He plots each bi-hourly Qi Men Dun Jia based on the Adding Extra Method (置闰法), culminating in an informative calendar that assists you in amplifying your luck in attaining new heights of wealth and prosperity.

Download Imperial Harvest’s Qi Men Dun Jia calendar here