What information is needed to create a chart?

Qimen Dunjia (奇门遁甲) is one of the oldest and most sophisticated systems of Chinese metaphysics. Traditionally known as the “Mysterious Gates Escaping Techniques,” it has been used for military strategy, decision-making, business planning, Feng Shui, destiny analysis, and date selection. A Qimen Dunjia chart acts as a metaphysical map of time and space, allowing practitioners to interpret the energy present at a specific moment.

Unlike a birth chart in astrology, which is fixed at birth, a Qimen Dunjia chart can be created for any specific date and time. However, the accuracy of the chart depends entirely on having the correct information. Several key pieces of information are required before the chart can be constructed.

1. Date

The first essential requirement is the date.

The exact day, month, and year determine the position of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches according to the Chinese calendar. Qimen Dunjia follows the traditional Chinese solar calendar rather than the modern Gregorian calendar alone. Therefore, the date is converted into the Chinese calendrical system before calculations begin.

For example:

• 15 March 2026 
• 8 October 2025 
• 1 January 2024 

The date establishes the foundation upon which the rest of the chart is built.

2. Time

The exact time is equally important.

Traditional Qimen Dunjia divides a day into twelve two-hour periods known as the Chinese double hours. Each time block corresponds to one Earthly Branch.

For example:

• 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM (Zi Hour) 
• 1:00 AM – 3:00 AM (Chou Hour) 
• 3:00 AM – 5:00 AM (Yin Hour) 

Modern practitioners usually use the precise clock time and convert it into the appropriate Chinese time period.

Even a difference of one hour may completely change the chart because the arrangement of the Doors, Stars, Deities, and Heavenly Stems changes every two hours.

Therefore, recording the exact time is crucial.

3. Location

The geographical location where the chart is cast is another important factor.

This includes:

• Country 
• City 
• Longitude 
• Latitude 
• Time zone 

Location matters because sunrise, solar time, and time zone adjustments may influence the calculations.

For example:

• Singapore 
• Kuala Lumpur 
• Beijing 
• New York 

Two people casting a chart at exactly 10:00 AM local time in different countries may obtain different charts because of differences in longitude and local solar time.

4. Purpose of the Chart

Although not required for mathematical calculations, understanding the purpose greatly assists interpretation.

Qimen Dunjia charts may be created for various reasons, including:

• Business decisions 
• Career planning 
• Relationship analysis 
• Investment timing 
• Property purchase 
• Travel 
• Medical matters 
• Legal issues 
• Military strategy 
• Personal destiny 

Knowing the question allows the practitioner to focus on the relevant palaces, Doors, Stars, and symbols within the chart.

For example:

• “Should I change jobs this month?” 
• “Is today suitable for signing a contract?” 
• “Will this investment be profitable?” 

Different questions emphasize different parts of the chart.

5. Yin Dun or Yang Dun

Qimen Dunjia operates using two major systems:

• Yang Dun (阳遁) 
• Yin Dun (阴遁) 

The selection depends on the seasonal cycle.

Generally:

• Yang Dun is used from the Winter Solstice until the Summer Solstice. 
• Yin Dun is used from the Summer Solstice until the Winter Solstice. 

The seasonal transition determines the direction in which the Heavenly Stems are arranged throughout the chart.

6. Ju Number (局)

One of the defining features of every Qimen Dunjia chart is its Ju (局) number.

There are nine possible configurations:

• 1 Ju 
• 2 Ju 
• 3 Ju 
• 4 Ju 
• 5 Ju 
• 6 Ju 
• 7 Ju 
• 8 Ju 
• 9 Ju 

The Ju is calculated based on:

• Solar terms 
• Yin or Yang Dun 
• Date 
• Time 

The Ju determines how all the chart elements are distributed among the nine palaces.

7. Solar Terms (节气)

Rather than using ordinary calendar months, Qimen Dunjia relies heavily on the 24 Solar Terms.

Examples include:

• Beginning of Spring (立春) 
• Spring Equinox (春分) 
• Grain Rain (谷雨) 
• Summer Solstice (夏至) 
• Beginning of Autumn (立秋) 
• Autumn Equinox (秋分) 
• Winter Solstice (冬至) 

These solar terms determine:

• Yin or Yang Dun 
• Ju number 
• Seasonal Qi 

Without identifying the correct solar term, an accurate chart cannot be generated.

8. Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches

The Chinese calendrical system uses:

Ten Heavenly Stems

• Jia 
• Yi 
• Bing 
• Ding 
• Wu 
• Ji 
• Geng 
• Xin 
• Ren 
• Gui 

and

Twelve Earthly Branches

• Zi 
• Chou 
• Yin 
• Mao 
• Chen 
• Si 
• Wu 
• Wei 
• Shen 
• You 
• Xu 
• Hai 

Every year, month, day, and hour possesses its own Stem and Branch combination.

These combinations are calculated automatically by modern software but remain essential to constructing the chart.

9. Nine Palaces

Every Qimen Dunjia chart is divided into nine palaces, representing different sectors of space.

Each palace contains various combinations of:

• Heavenly Stem 
• Door 
• Star 
• Deity 
• Earth Plate 
• Heaven Plate 

The interaction among these components forms the basis of chart interpretation.

10. Chart Components

After all the calculations are completed, the chart contains several important symbolic systems.

Eight Doors (八门)

The Eight Doors represent opportunities and outcomes.

They include:

• Rest 
• Life 
• Open 
• Harm 
• Delusion 
• Scenery 
• Death 
• Fear 

Each Door carries different meanings depending on the question being asked.

Nine Stars (九星)

The Nine Stars influence:

• Intelligence 
• Leadership 
• Wealth 
• Health 
• Reputation 
• Relationships 

Their placement provides insight into the quality of the prevailing energy.

Eight Deities (八神)

The Eight Deities describe hidden influences and subtle environmental factors.

They often reveal:

• Assistance 
• Obstacles 
• Deception 
• Spiritual protection 
• Hidden opportunities 

Heavenly and Earth Plates

The interaction between the Heaven Plate and Earth Plate creates dynamic relationships that are central to interpreting the chart.

Modern Chart Generation

Today, most practitioners generate Qimen Dunjia charts using specialized software or mobile applications. The software automatically converts the provided date, time, and location into the traditional Chinese calendrical system, calculates the Yin or Yang Dun, determines the Ju number, and places all the symbolic elements into the nine palaces.

However, regardless of whether the calculations are performed manually or by computer, the required input information remains the same:

• Exact date 
• Exact time 
• Geographic location 
• Time zone 
• Current solar term 
• Yin or Yang Dun 
• Ju number 
• Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch calculations 
• The purpose or question being asked (for interpretation) 

Conclusion

Creating a Qimen Dunjia chart is a precise process that combines astronomy, the traditional Chinese calendar, and metaphysical principles. The most fundamental information required is the exact date, time, and geographical location, as these determine the chart’s mathematical structure. Additional elements such as the solar term, Yin or Yang Dun, Ju number, and the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch system establish the arrangement of the Nine Palaces, Eight Doors, Nine Stars, and Eight Deities.

While modern software can perform these complex calculations within seconds, the quality of the resulting chart still depends on the accuracy of the information entered. Once generated, the chart serves as a powerful analytical tool that helps practitioners evaluate timing, opportunities, challenges, and strategic decisions across many aspects of life, including career, business, relationships, investments, and personal development.