Volume 8 of Qimen Dunjia Faqiao · Detailed Explanation of Auspicious and Inauspicious Patterns for the Nine Yin Dun Situations

Overall Interpretation

This volume systematically organizes the auspicious and inauspicious pattern determinations for each of the sixty time-periods within every situation of the Nine Yin Dun Situations of Qimen Dunjia, under the framework of the Three Yuan and Four Qi. The "Three Yuan" refers to the Upper, Middle, and Lower Yuan; the "Four Qi" refers to the four solar terms governed by each situation. The Nine Yin Dun Situations correspond to the solar term system following the Winter Solstice (including the Summer Solstice, Beginning of Winter, Cold Dew, White Dew, Minor Heat, Minor Snow, Frost's Descent, Beginning of Autumn, Major Heat, Major Snow, End of Heat, Autumn Equinox, etc.), arranged by situation number covering Yin Dun One through Yin Dun Nine.

Each situation takes the Six Jia Cycles as its framework (Jiazi Cycle, Jiaxu Cycle, Jiashen Cycle, Jiawu Cycle, Jia辰 Cycle, Jiayin Cycle). Each cycle designates the Value Star (Zhifu) and Value Envoy (Zhishi), then lists the auspicious and inauspicious patterns for the twelve time-periods according to the Day Stem. Auspicious patterns include Dragon Escape (Long Dun), Wind Escape (Feng Dun), Cloud Escape (Yun Dun), Tiger Escape (Hu Dun), Spirit Escape (Shen Dun), Heaven Escape (Tian Dun), Earth Escape (Di Dun), Human Escape (Ren Dun), Ghost Escape (Gui Dun), etc. Inauspicious patterns include Punishment Pattern (Xing Ge), Throwing into the River (Tou Jiang), Fluorescence Entering White (Ying Ru Bai), White Entering Fluorescence (Bai Ru Ying), ****Rampant (Chang Kuang)**, Fleeing (Tao Zou), Qi Tomb (Qi Mu), Hour Tomb (Shi Mu), Earth Net (Di Wang), Heaven Net (Tian Wang), Striking Punishment (Ji Xing), Flying Palace (Fei Gong), Hidden Palace (Fu Gong), etc. The various patterns overlap and combine to form a comprehensive system for judging the auspiciousness of time.

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Basic Concepts of Yin Dun in Qimen Dunjia

🌑 The Meaning of Yin Dun

The Nine Yin Dun Situations are the symmetrical counterpart to the Yang Dun system in Qimen Dunjia, which runs from the Winter Solstice to before the Summer Solstice. Yin Dun begins at the Summer Solstice and ends at the Winter Solstice, symbolizing the process of Yin energy gradually growing and Yang energy gradually waning. The numbers of the Nine Yin Dun Situations run in reverse, from Nine, Eight, Seven... down to One, reflecting the rhythm of the energies of Heaven and Earth transitioning from flourishing to contracting.

📋 Three Yuan and Four Qi

🔑 Value Star and Value Envoy

The Value Star is the celestial star ruler concealed within the cycle head, and the Value Envoy is its corresponding gate from the Eight Gates. Once the Value Star and Value Envoy are determined, the auspicious and inauspicious patterns for the twelve time-periods unfold accordingly. The so-called "Stars and Gates Concealed in Rest" (Xing Men Fu Fu) means the Value Star and Value Envoy remain dormant in their home positions, indicating that affairs have not yet been set in motion, and it is appropriate to remain still and wait.

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Nine Yin Dun Situations · Comprehensive Table of Auspicious and Inauspicious Patterns for the Sixty Time-Periods

Table One: Ninth Yin Dun Situation (Summer Solstice Upper · Beginning of Winter Middle · Cold Dew Middle · White Dew Upper)

Jiazi Cycle — Heaven Star Ding-Horn (Tian Ying) as Value Star · Well-Gazing Gate (Jing Men) as Value Envoy

Jiaxu Cycle — Heaven Star Zhou (Tian Ren) as Value Star · Life Gate (Sheng Men) as Value Envoy

Jiashen Cycle — Heaven Star Pillar (Tian Zhu) as Value Star · Rite/Open-Mouth Gate (Jing Men)* as Value Envoy

Jiawu Cycle — Heaven Star Heart (Tian Xin) as Value Star · Opening Gate (Kai Men) as Value Envoy

Jia辰 Cycle — Heaven Star Dilemma (Tian Rui) as Value Star · Death Gate (Si Men) as Value Envoy (Center Five Returns to Kun)

Jiayin Cycle — Heaven Support Star (Tian Fu) as Value Star · Obstruction Gate (Du Men) as Value Envoy

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Table Two: Third Yin Dun Situation (Summer Solstice Middle · Beginning of Winter Lower · Cold Dew Lower · White Dew Middle)

Jiazi Cycle — Heaven Star Chong (Tian Chong) as Value Star · Wounding Gate (Shang Men) as Value Envoy

Jiaxu Cycle — Heaven Star Dilemma (Tian Rui) as Value Star · Death Gate (Si Men) as Value Envoy

Jiashen Cycle — Heaven Star Pillar (Tian Peng)* as Value Star · Rest Gate (Xiu Men) as Value Envoy

This is paragraph 2/7 of the main text of the chapter "奇门法窍" (Marvelous Secrets of Qi Men). Please only faithfully and completely translate the following content into English, preserving the markdown format and structure, without adding any preface, conclusion, paragraph numbers, or explanations, and directly output the translated text of this paragraph:

甲午 Cycle — Heavenly Star of Excellence, Jing Gate Universal Envoy

甲辰 Cycle — Heavenly Ren Star, Sheng Gate Universal Envoy

甲寅 Cycle — Heavenly Pillar Star, Jing Gate Universal Envoy

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Third Table: Yin Escape Structure 6 (Summer Solstice Lower·Beginning of Winter Upper·Cold Dew Upper·White Dew Lower)

甲子 Cycle — Heavenly Heart Star, Opening Gate Universal Envoy

甲戌 Cycle — Heavenly Ru Star, Death Gate Universal Envoy (Center Five Attached to Kun)

甲申 Cycle — Heavenly Assistant Star, Du Gate Universal Envoy

甲午 Cycle — Heavenly Chong Star, Shang Gate Universal Envoy

甲辰 Cycle — Heavenly Ru Star, Death Gate Universal Envoy

甲寅 Cycle — Heavenly Peng Star, Xiu Gate Universal Envoy

This is paragraph 3/7 of the main text of the chapter "奇门法窍". Please only faithfully and completely translate the following content into English, preserving the markdown format and structure, without adding any preface, closing remarks, paragraph numbers, or explanations—directly output the translation of this passage:

JIAXU CYCLE — Heavenly Pillar as Chief · Alarm Door as Envoy

JIASHEN CYCLE — Heavenly Heart as Chief · Opening Door as Envoy

JIAWU CYCLE — Heavenly Rui as Chief · Death Door as Envoy (Center Five Lodged in Kun)

JIACHEN CYCLE — Heavenly Assistant as Chief · Blocking Door as Envoy

JIAYIN CYCLE — Heavenly Charge as Chief · Injury Door as Envoy

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Fifth Table: Yin Escape Bureau 2 (Slight Heat Middle · Light Snow Lower · Frost Descent Lower · Autumn Begins Upper)

JIAZI CYCLE — Heavenly Rui as Chief · Death Door as Envoy

JIAXU CYCLE — Heavenly Peng as Chief · Resting Door as Envoy

JIASHEN CYCLE — Heavenly Hero as Chief · Scenery Door as Envoy

JIAWU CYCLE — Heavenly Duty as Chief · Living Door as Envoy

JIACHEN CYCLE — Heavenly Pillar as Chief · Alarm Door as Envoy

Jia-Yin Decade — Tian-Xin Symbol Bearer · Kai Gate Envoy

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Table Six: Yin Dun Bureau Five (Minor Heat Lower · Minor Snow Upper · Frost Descent Upper · Start of Autumn Middle)

Jia-Zi Decade — Tian-Rui Symbol Bearer · Death Gate Envoy (Center Five Relying on Kun)

Jia-Xu Decade — Tian-Fu Symbol Bearer · Du Gate Envoy

Jia-Shen Decade — Tian-Chong Symbol Bearer · Injury Gate Envoy

Jia-Wu Decade — Tian-Rui Symbol Bearer · Death Gate Envoy

Jia-Chen Decade — Tian-Peng Symbol Bearer · Xiu Gate Envoy

Jia-Yin Decade — Tian-Ying Symbol Bearer · Jing Gate Envoy

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Table Seven: Yin Dun Bureau Seven (Major Heat Upper · Major Snow Middle · End of Heat Lower · Autumn Equinox Upper)

Jia-Zi Decade — Tian-Zhu Symbol Bearer · Jing Gate Envoy

Jia-Xu Decade — Tian-Xin Symbol Bearer · Kai Gate Envoy

Jia-Shen Decade — Tian-Rui Symbol Bearer · Death Gate Envoy (Center Five Relying on Kun)

Jia Wu Decade — Tian Fu Value Star · Du Gate Value Messenger

Jia Chen Decade — Tian Chong Value Star · Shang Gate Value Messenger

Jia Yin Decade — Tian Rui Value Star · Si Gate Value Messenger

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Table 8: Yin Dun Bureau 1 (Great Heat Middle · Great Snow Lower · Limit of Heat Upper · Autumn Equinox Middle)

Jia Zi Decade — Tian Peng Value Star · Xiu Gate Value Messenger

Jia Xu Decade — Tian Ying Value Star · Jing Gate Value Messenger

Jia Shen Decade — Tian Ren Value Star · Sheng Gate Value Messenger

Jia Wu Decade — Tian Zhu Value Star · Jing Gate Value Messenger

Jia Chen Decade — Tian Xin Value Star · Kai Gate Value Messenger

Jia Yin Decade — Tian Rui Value Star · Si Gate Value Messenger (Central Five Attached to Kun)

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Table 9: Yin Dun Bureau 4 (Great Heat Lower · Great Snow Upper · Limit of Heat Middle · Autumn Equinox Lower)

Jiazi Xun — Tianfu as the Chief Star · Du Gate as the Envoy Gate

Jiaxu Xun — Tianchong as the Chief Star · Shang Gate as the Envoy Gate

Jiashen Xun — Tian□ as the Chief Star · □ Gate as the Envoy Gate

Jiawu Xun — Tianpeng as the Chief Star · Xiu Gate as the Envoy Gate

Jiachen Xun — Tianying as the Chief Star · Jing Gate as the Envoy Gate

Jiayin Xun — Tianren as the Chief Star · Sheng Gate as the Envoy Gate

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🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Concept 💡

The system of auspicious and inauspicious patterns in the Ninth Yin Dun period takes time as the warp and space as the weft, projecting the triple structure of Qimen Dunjia's Heaven Plate Nine Stars (Chief Star), Human Plate Eight Gates (Envoy Gate), and Earth Plate Nine Palaces (Luoshu directions) into the temporal flow of the Sixty Jiazi cycle. The auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of each hour is not judged in isolation, but is the result of multiple superimposed factors of stars, gates, palaces, spirits, and Qi Instruments.

Specifically:

• The appearance of an auspicious pattern marks a brief confluence of heavenly timing, earthly advantage, and human harmony in a certain direction. For example, "Dragon Escape" represents subterranean water energy and the advantage of concealment; "Wind Escape" represents swift change and message transmission; "Double Deception" indicates that repeated prudence yields gain; "Cave-Hole" signifies wealth arriving on its own; "Mutual Penetration" indicates smooth communication between superior and subordinate.
• Inauspicious patterns indicate energy blockage, conflict, or dissipation. For example, "River-Drowning" signifies plans sinking; "Punishment Pattern" signifies legal punishment and conflict; "Fluorescent Entering White" and "White Entering Fluorescent" represent the battle between Mars and Venus, indicating sudden attack-defense and losses; "Wild Frenzy" signifies loss of behavioral control; "Heaven Net" indicates time locks are sealed, moving leads to entrapment.
• "Static" (Fu) is an extremely important concept. When the Chief Star and Envoy Gate are both in static recitation, this means Heaven and Earth do not move, opportunities are not yet manifested, and any proactive action at this time will hardly succeed—observing in stillness is preferable.

Modern Interpretation 🌟

In the contemporary context, the essence of this system can be understood as an ancient "opportunity-timing decision matrix."

• ⏰ Temporal Dimension: The arrangement of auspicious and inauspicious patterns across the sixty hours is tantamount to dividing time into different "energy windows." Some windows are suitable for launching new projects (upon meeting auspicious patterns or gate fusions), while others are suitable for keeping a low profile or pausing action (upon meeting static recitation, Heaven Net, or Earth Net).
• 🗺️ Spatial Dimension: Each auspicious or inauspicious pattern points to a specific direction (Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, Dui, Qian). This resembles a spatial risk assessment: at any given moment, certain directions are "downwind," while others are "upwind."
• 🔍 Decision Reference: Modern individuals need not be bound by the specific "escapes" and "patterns," but can borrow from the integrated assessment approach of "timing + direction." For instance, before important decisions involving negotiation, contract signing, travel, or business opening, one can examine whether one is currently in a favorable "time window" and whether the chosen direction aligns harmoniously with the overall trend.

Practical Value ⚡

• Time and Direction Selection: Though no longer used for military formations, it can serve as a traditional reference tool for time management and spatial planning. For example, when arranging important meetings, interviews, or negotiations, choose time periods and directions where auspicious patterns converge, and avoid periods and directions where inauspicious patterns overlap.
• Risk Prediction: The alerting function of inauspicious patterns still holds practical relevance. "Fluorescent Entering White" reminds one to guard against sudden conflict and competition; "Escape" reminds one to avoid hasty detachment or abandonment; "Punishment Pattern" reminds one to pay attention to legal disputes and contractual risks. These can be transformed into a risk checklist for modern decision-making.
• Self-Review Tool: Use this table with the "hypothesis—action—review" methodology: hypothesize that a given time and direction are auspicious, take corresponding action, observe how closely actual results match the auspicious/inauspicious prediction, and gradually accumulate one's own practical validation data.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔

The profound philosophical foundation of the auspicious and inauspicious patterns in the Ninth Yin Dun lies in the cosmological view of "one Qi throughout Heaven and Earth." The ancients believed that time and space are not empty containers, but rather the concrete manifestations of Qi. Every node in time is a state of convergence, divergence, ascension, descension, and mutual restraint of Qi in a specific direction. Auspiciousness and inauspiciousness are not rewards or punishments from supernatural forces, but the natural result of whether humans are in sync with the rhythm of Heaven and Earth.

This manner of thinking shares the same lineage as the concept of "Timely Mean" (Shi Zhong) in the I Ching. The so-called "Timely Mean" means doing the right thing at the right time, in the right position. The auspicious and inauspicious pattern system of the Ninth Yin Dun is essentially a practical manual of the "Timely Mean" —it tells the practitioner when and where to move, and when and where to remain still, in order to align with the Qi of Heaven and Earth and thereby "approach the auspicious and avoid the inauspicious."

From a modern perspective, this can be understood as a time-sensitive decision model for complex systems: at specific spatiotemporal nodes, the system responds differently to external interventions. The auspicious and inauspicious patterns of Qimen Dunjia represent the ancients' empirical summation and structural expression of this "timing sensitivity."

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📚 Related Knowledge

Related Concepts

Extended Reading

• Qimen Dunjia Tongzong — Origins and foundational theories of Qimen
• Song of the Old Fisherman by the Misty Waves — Classic annotated edition of core Qimen formulas
• Qimen Wu Zhonggui — Guide to the Eight Gates' auspiciousness, inauspiciousness, and applications
• Auspicious and Inauspicious Patterns of the Sixty Hours in the Ninth Yang Dun Three Cycles and Four Qi — The Yang Dun counterpart system symmetric to the Yin Dun

Modern Research

Contemporary scholars have re-examined the auspicious and inauspicious pattern system of Qimen Dunjia from the perspectives of complexity science and decision theory. Some studies suggest that its "spatiotemporal superimposed judgment" methodology holds structural similarities to opportunity-timing selection models in game theory and node-based decision trees in operations research. Other researchers focus on the correspondence between Yin/Yang Dun and solar terms, comparing them with changes in the Sun's ecliptic longitude in ancient Chinese astronomical calendars, to explore the possible ancient meteorological cyclical observations embedded within. These studies remain exploratory but offer new perspectives for the scientific understanding of traditional divination arts.

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Quick Glossary Index