Qi Men Dun Jia – the Chinese art of choosing time and direction
Published on October 22, 2026
Qi Men Dun Jia is considered one of the most demanding methods of Chinese metaphysics. Originally developed for military strategy, it describes the quality of a two-hour time window in all eight directions. It is used to choose the best time and direction for an undertaking.
The grid of nine palaces
The Qi Men chart is a square of nine fields, the palaces – eight directions and the centre. Each palace holds a star, a door, a deity and two heavenly stems. Every two hours they rearrange.
Doors, stars and deities
The door is the most important symbol: it says which kind of action succeeds in that direction – open for starts, life for money, rest for negotiations. The star describes the climate, the deity the invisible support or disturbance. The combination of the two stems completes the picture.
Practical use
For an important appointment you look for a direction with a favourable door and set off from that direction at the chosen time – or sit so that you face it. Besides hour charts there are day, month and year charts for longer planning.
Frequently asked questions
Is Qi Men hard to learn?+
The calculation yes, the application less so. The calculator creates the chart, and every symbol can be tapped and explains itself.
What are Chai Bu and Zhi Run?+
Two classical methods to determine the structure of the hour chart. Both are common; Chai Bu is the more frequent.
Does the direction count from home?+
From where you set off for the undertaking – usually home or office.