The Mysterious Qimen Dunjia, Part 5: Meanings of the Eight Gates, Nine Stars, and Eight Deities

Lecture Seven: The Meanings of Eight Doors, Nine Stars, and Eight Gods

1. Eight Doors

The Eight Doors are the eight directional gates defined by the Eight Trigrams in Qimen Dunjia: Xiu (Rest), Sheng (Life), Shang (Harm), Du (Obstruction), Jing (View), Si (Death), Jing (Alarm), and Kai (Open). Each door carries its own specific meanings.

• Kai Door: An auspicious door. Kai (Open) indicates ease of access and smooth progress, favorable for long journeys, meeting influential people, seeking wealth, and other positive undertakings. Kai is linked to the Metal deity; when it falls in the Zhen or Xun palaces (Wood), it signifies Metal overcoming Wood, which ancient theory deems inauspicious. If an auspicious door is “forced” (i.e., the door’s element overcomes the palace it occupies), favorable matters may fail.
• Xiu Door: Also auspicious, suitable for rest, gatherings, business, marriage, and visiting important people, but unfavorable for military action. Xiu is linked to the Water deity; when it faces the Li palace (Fire), it signifies Water overcoming Fire, which is considered inauspicious.
• Sheng Door: Another auspicious door, favorable for construction, marriage, job seeking, and meeting benefactors. Sheng is linked to the Earth deity; when it faces the Kan palace (Water), it signifies Earth overcoming Water, which is considered inauspicious.
• Shang Door: An inauspicious door; entering or exiting may bring illness, mishaps, or injury. However, it is effective for collecting debts and suitable for hunting and catching thieves. Shang is linked to the Wood deity; when it faces the Kun or Gen palaces (Earth), it signifies Wood overcoming Earth, which is highly unfavorable. If an inauspicious door is “forced” (overcoming its palace), matters of mourning are even more severe.
• Du Door: Although categorized as inauspicious, it leans neutral. Suitable for travel, visiting important people, and concealment. Du implies blockage and hindrance. Du is linked to the Wood deity; when it faces the second or eighth palaces, it indicates misfortune.
• Jing (View) Door: Traditionally viewed as inauspicious but tending toward neutral. Jing (View) can spark vitality, though its benefits are short-lived. Good for games and competitions, but unfavorable for writing or hunting, which may bring no results. When this door falls in the sixth or seventh palaces, it indicates misfortune.
• Si Door: An inauspicious door; moving through it invites misfortune. Avoid travel, construction, and job seeking, or it may cause harm and financial loss. Favorable for fishing, executions, and mourning. Si is linked to the Earth deity; when it faces the first palace, it indicates great misfortune.
• Jing (Alarm) Door: Inauspicious; not suitable for travel or job seeking, as it brings fear and panic. However, it is useful for searching for lost items and pursuing fugitives. Jing (Alarm) is linked to the Metal deity; when it faces the third or fourth palaces, it indicates great misfortune. It brings anxiety and often strange occurrences.

2. Nine Stars

The Nine Stars are Tianpeng, Tianren, Tianchong, Tianfu, Tianying, Tianrui, Tianzhu, Tianxin, and Tianqin. Among them, Tianfu, Tianqin, and Tianxin are greatly auspicious; Tianchong and Tianren are mildly auspicious; Tianpeng and Tianrui are greatly inauspicious; Tianzhu and Tianying are mildly inauspicious.

• Tianpeng: In legal disputes, encountering Tianpeng can bring swift victory and renown. It is auspicious in spring and summer, and only moderately so in autumn and winter. Unfavorable for marriage, long journeys, construction, and burial. Best when paired with the Sheng Door and the Bing or Ding stems. Tianpeng corresponds to Water; in the palace it occupies, avoid marriage, construction, and relocation—unless it meets the Sheng Door and combines with Bing or Ding—then it can be used without issue.
• Tianrui: Favorable for building connections and friendships, but not for travel. One should proceed cautiously; construction or burial may bring unexpected problems. Risk of theft or legal trouble is elevated. Even with a favorable Qimen configuration, seeking auspicious outcomes from this position may be futile. Tianrui relates to teachers and friends: good for networking, but unfavorable for marriage, relocation, litigation, or construction. It is an Earth star—auspicious in autumn and winter, inauspicious in spring and summer.
• Tianchong: Marriage and settling down may face obstacles; travel or relocation can invite disaster. Construction and burial are also unfavorable—exercise caution in all actions. Associated with thunder and authority, Tianchong is suitable for military action and seeking retribution, but not for marriage, construction, relocation, or business.
• Tianfu: Favorable for long journeys, construction, and burial, bringing lasting blessings. Relocation and marriage are auspicious, and it attracts wealth and prosperity. Tianfu relates to the people and livelihood; suitable for travel, construction, relocation, marriage, burial, and hosting guests.
• Tianqin: Favorable for long journeys and satisfactory in business dealings. Beneficial for visiting influential people; construction and burial are productive. Tianqin relates to shamans and artisans; suitable for travel, business, burial, construction, and meeting benefactors.
• Tianxin: Favorable for seeking healing and remedies; also prosperous for business and travel. Auspicious for relocation and burial, and successful in most endeavors. Tianxin signifies high virtue and renowned physicians; suitable for medical treatments, taking medicine, practicing qigong, doing business, relocating, and burial. Auspicious in autumn and winter, inauspicious in spring and summer.
• Tianzhu: Cautious and reserved; unfavorable for long journeys or business, and most matters are inauspicious. Acting rashly can invite danger. Tianzhu relates to mountain dwellers; suitable for concealment and guarding, but not for travel or job seeking—actions tend to be unfavorable.
• Tianren: An auspicious star that brings success in most endeavors, including sacrifices, seeking office, and marriage. It helps sever harmful ties, supports relocation, and brings success in business and burial. Tianren is associated with affluent households; pursuits involving office, marriage, relocation, and business are favorable.
• Tianying: Unfavorable for marriage, and long journeys or relocation are ill-advised. It brings misfortune in official dealings and failure in business. Tianying is linked to fire and calamity, and is unsuitable for most endeavors.

3. Eight Gods

The Eight Gods are Zhi Fu, Teng She, Tai Yin, Liu He, Gou Chen (in Yin Dunjia this role is taken by Bai Hu), Zhu Que (in Yin Dunjia this role is taken by Xuan Wu), Jiu Di, and Jiu Tian. Among them, Zhi Fu leads the sequence; Tai Yin appears early; the last palace belongs to Jiu Tian, and the final two gods are under Jiu Di. Jiu Tian favors military operations, while Jiu Di is concealed and suited to establishing encampments. Hidden troops should align with the Tai Yin direction; encountering Liu He favors escape and withdrawal.

• Zhi Fu: Embodies central Earth and is the Tianyi deity, leader of all gods. Wherever it appears, malign influences disperse, making it among the most auspicious and benevolent. Although Taibai (Geng Metal) is the most severe, under Zhi Fu it dissipates and is laid to rest—favorable in good positions and less harmful in bad ones. Heaven begins with Jia and Earth with Zi; Zhi Fu heads the six Jia and resides in Earth, thus revered as supreme. Mention of Jia Zi implies the six Jia, which explains Zhi Fu’s nature. As the primal deity of central Earth, it denotes nobility, nurturing all things and shaping the world. Leaders and generals under its influence find matters proceed smoothly. In urgent situations, follow the direction of Zhi Fu—hence “in urgency, follow the deity.”
• Teng She: Rooted in southern Bing–Ding Fire, marked by subtlety and depletion, hence a deity of entanglement and deception. Teng She is the center’s Yin Earth with a stubborn nature, governing disputes over crops and fields. The classics advise “avoid the five,” namely the five stems Yi, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui, and the five unfavorable doors Shang, Du, Jing (View), Si, and Jing (Alarm). Facing Teng She can bring mental confusion, nightmares, and anxiety; it is best to choose a proper door to avert problems.
• Tai Yin: The western Yin Metal, a benevolent deity bringing auspicious signs and blessings. It resonates with the Li and Dui palaces (middle and younger daughters), which are Yin—yang energy is weaker and harder to foster, hence the name Tai Yin. Its nature favors concealment and stillness, with a floral, feminine bent that can shade into intrigue. The Tai Yin direction is suitable for closing city gates, hiding troops, and seeking refuge.
• Liu He: Originally of Jia Wood. The sister of the six Jia, Liu Yi, pairs with Geng Metal, thus embodying Geng’s essence. Stationed in the east—the span from Jia to Geng is six—hence “Liu He” (Six Harmony). Its temperament is peaceable, favoring marriage, transactions, and matchmaking, and sometimes handling minor affairs. The Liu He direction is suitable for marriage and for avoiding harm.
• Bai Hu: The western form of Geng Metal, having absorbed Geng’s essence. With Xun symbolizing wind, the count from Jia to Geng is seven, corresponding to seven in the nine palaces—thus the name Bai Hu (White Tiger). It rules the west and inclines toward violence and warfare, governing military action, killing, illness, and road calamities. Bai Hu also conceals aspects of Gou Chen (central Yin Earth), which absorbs Ding Fire and often hides beneath Bai Hu, presiding over fear, the uncanny, and deceit. In the Bai Hu direction, beware enemy ambushes—though with a proper Qimen setup, issues can be mitigated.
• Xuan Wu: Rooted in northern Ren–Gui Water—black formed from central yellow Earth—hence Xuan Wu (Dark Warrior). It governs the north and favors plotting and theft, presiding over stealing and escape. Xuan Wu also conceals Zhu Que; though north/south and water/fire are opposed, Zhu Que grows in Bing, which absorbs Gen Earth, allowing coexistence. Zhu Que, the southern Fire deity, rules civil authority, managing disputes and documents: in a prosperous state it brings joy in promotions and paperwork; when resting or imprisoned it leads to quarrels and disruptions. Xuan Wu is aggressive and warlike, favoring covert seizure. In the Xuan Wu direction, guard against spies and thieves—though with Qimen, problems can be contained.
• Jiu Di: The abode of Kun Earth, mother of all things, symbolizing darkness and depth. Most matters call for gentleness, respect, humility, and compliance, yet it sometimes wields life-and-death authority—half auspicious, half inauspicious. Kun absorbs Yi and Gui; the span from Yi to Gui is nine—hence “Jiu Di.” Jiu Di fears restraint and should not enter grave positions; it gives life in spring and summer and brings death in autumn and winter, bearing the Empress Dowager’s power. The Jiu Di direction suits encamping and fortifying positions.
• Jiu Tian: Embodies Metal, representing Qian—the essence of things—one of the brightest achievement stars. Qian absorbs Jia and Ren; the span from Jia to Ren is nine—hence “Jiu Tian.” Those in Jiu Tian are upright, flourish in auspicious seasons, and meet few obstacles, making it the most favorable star. If it meets auspicious doors and a good Qimen configuration, blessings accumulate; even without a favorable setup it seldom brings misfortune, though it fears grave positions, where its power is checked. The Jiu Tian direction is ideal for military operations and establishing formations.