Eight Gates, Nine Stars, and Eight Deities
The three additional layers of a Qimen Dunjia chart each add a distinct dimension to the reading.
Eight Gates (八門)
The Eight Gates occupy the Human Plate and describe the quality of activity or movement associated with each palace:
| Gate | Chinese | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Open Gate (開門) | 开门 | New beginnings, visibility, opportunity |
| Rest Gate (休門) | 休门 | Recovery, withdrawal, rest |
| Life Gate (生門) | 生门 | Growth, vitality, business |
| Harm Gate (傷門) | 伤门 | Conflict, obstacles, legal issues |
| Obstruction Gate (杜門) | 杜门 | Concealment, hiding, research |
| View Gate (景門) | 景门 | Communication, social activity, writing |
| Death Gate (死門) | 死门 | Endings, harvesting, stillness |
| Surprise Gate (驚門) | 惊门 | Sudden changes, unexpected events |
Nine Stars (九星)
The Nine Stars carry timing and fate energy. Key stars include:
- Tiān Péng (天蓬): Water — travel, change
- Tiān Rèn (天任): Earth — stability, persistence
- Tiān Chōng (天冲): Wood — action, initiative
- Tiān Fǔ (天辅): Wood — assistance, learning
- Tiān Yīng (天英): Fire — brilliance, recognition
Eight Deities (八神)
The Eight Deities represent circumstantial quality and interpersonal dynamics:
- Zhí Fú (值符): The primary controller — authority, legitimacy
- Téng Shé (螣蛇): Suspicion, twists, rumors
- Tài Yīn (太阴): Hidden matters, intuition, women
- Liù Hé (六合): Cooperation, partnership, harmony
- Bái Hǔ (白虎): Urgency, conflict, military matters
- Xuán Wǔ (玄武): Hidden dealings, theft, concealment
- Jiǔ Dì (九地): Stability, real estate, grounding
- Jiǔ Tiān (九天): Expansion, authority, far-reaching influence