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Understanding the 10 Heavenly Stems

The document introduces the 10 Heavenly Stems of Qi Men Dun Jia. According to legend, there were originally 10 suns that created extreme heat until Hou Yi shot down 9 of them. The remaining sun corresponds to Jia. Scholars also believe the stems relate to the planets. Each stem influences an area of human concern like power, security, wealth, and longevity. They represent heavenly energy that interacts with human thought and behavior.

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100% found this document useful (3 votes)
782 views3 pages

Understanding the 10 Heavenly Stems

The document introduces the 10 Heavenly Stems of Qi Men Dun Jia. According to legend, there were originally 10 suns that created extreme heat until Hou Yi shot down 9 of them. The remaining sun corresponds to Jia. Scholars also believe the stems relate to the planets. Each stem influences an area of human concern like power, security, wealth, and longevity. They represent heavenly energy that interacts with human thought and behavior.

Uploaded by

Jacely Voon
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to the 10 Heavenly Stems in Qi Men Dun Jia

E


Introduction to the 10 Heavenly Stems in 門
Qi Men Dun Jia 遁


According to ancient Chinese legend, when the Earth was created, there 鑑
were ten Suns in the sky. These ten Suns produced a hostile environment
with unbearable heat and it was impossible for life to flourish. The Earth
was dry and scorched and mankind struggled to survive. Unwilling to
accept this fate and determined to improve the conditions of his fellow
man, Hou Yi 后羿, took a magical bow, showing great skill and being
daring, shot down nine of the ten Suns, leaving only one in the sky. By
doing so, he created the perfect environment for flora to grow lush and
verdant and for human life to cover the earth.

It is possible, that this story of the ten Suns may well have been the
origin of the Heavenly Stems that we now recognise, and that the Sun
that remains in the sky corresponds to Jia 甲. Many scholars, however,
believe that they found their genesis in something rather more concrete
and which still exists to this day: the planets in the solar system and the
magnetic fields that each of these generate. It is clear that the study of
astronomy and astronomical phenomena would have been an important
part of the education of a learned man in ancient times, and it may be
that careful observation of the skies at night that lead to a rudimentary
understanding of the solar system being used in the development of
metaphysics. In this case Jia 甲 would again represent the Sun, but the
remaining Heavenly Stems would relate to each of the planets in turn:
Yi 乙 would correspond to Mercury, Bing 丙 to Venus, Ding 丁 to Saturn,
Wu 戊 to Jupiter, Geng 庚 to Mars, Ren 壬 to Earth, Ji 己 to Uranus,
Xin 辛 to Neptune and Gui 癸 to Pluto.

The Heavenly Stems have a ‘Natal’ position within the Luo Shu Palace.
While the Nine Palaces of the Luo Shu themselves represent the energy
of the earth, the Heavenly stems, as we can imagine, represent the
energy of the Heavens. Far from being a distant energy, however, the
energy of the Heavenly Stems is irrevocably bound up with human
thought and behaviour. Believed to govern intelligence and wisdom,
the Ten Stems are considered to be a representative of the impact of
human perception on the energies in the Qi Men chart. They are, in
essence, the media through which men and women are recognised as
active participants in their own destiny. Each of the Heavenly Stems has
a special affinity with certain areas of human concern, the table in the
next page details these influences.

Qi Men Dun Jia Compendium 245


E

門 10 Stems Representation


寶 The 10 Stems Representation
鑑 Jia 甲 (Yang Wood) POWER 官 Guan

Yi 乙 (Yin Wood) SECURITY 安 An

Bing 丙 (Yang Fire) WEALTH 財 Cai

Ding 丁 (Yin Fire) WISDOM 智 Zhi

Wu 戊 (Yang Earth) TRUST 信 Xin

Ji 己 (Yin Earth) SENTIMENT 情 Qing

Geng 庚 (Yang Metal) LONGEVITY 壽 Shou

Xin 辛 (Yin Metal) PATH 道 Dao

Ren 壬 (Yang Water) WINNING 勝 Shen

Gui 癸 (Yin Water) DESTINY 命 Ming

In relation to the Earthly Branches, the Heavenly Stems are essentially


Yang in nature. The names of these two formations, the Heavenly Stems
and the Earthly Branches, are taken from the ancient analogy of a tree:
the Heavenly Stems are effectively the trunk of the tree, strong, powerful
and stabilizing, while the Earthly Branches are finer, more changeable
and more yielding.

When arranged throughout the Qi Men chart, the Heavenly Stems will
associate with one of the five directions, including the central point,
and it will be in those locations that their influences will be felt. The
relationship between the directions and the Heavenly Stems are as
follows: Jia 甲 and Yi 乙 in the East, Bing 丙 and Ding 丁 in the South,
Geng 庚 and Xin 辛 in the West, Ren 壬 and Gui 癸 in the North, and
Wu 戊 and Ji 己 in the Centre.

246 Qi Men Dun Jia Compendium


E




SE東南 S南 SW 西南 寶

巳 辰 丙 午 丁 未 申
Si Chen Bing Wu Ding Wei Shen

乙 庚
Yi Geng

E 卯 酉 W
東 Mao You 西
甲 辛
Jia Xin

寅 丑 癸 子 壬 戌 亥
Yin Chou Gui Zi Ren Xu Hai

NE東北 N北 NW西北

Qi Men Dun Jia Compendium 247

Common questions

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The Heavenly Stems in Qi Men Dun Jia symbolize the connection between cosmic and human experiences. Each stem is associated with specific celestial bodies and qualities—Jia 甲 representing the power of the Sun, and others like Yi 乙 and Bing 丙 correlating to planets like Mercury and Venus, respectively. This system reflects the ancient belief that human fate was intertwined with celestial events and forces. By aligning these cosmic symbols with human virtues like POWER, WEALTH, and WISDOM, the system offers a metaphysical framework where individuals are viewed as active participants in shaping their destiny, thereby providing a means to interpret and influence earthly life through heavenly patterns .

The Luo Shu, as a traditional Chinese numerological chart, is significant in Qi Men Dun Jia as it allocates the Heavenly Stems to specific positions within its palaces, each representing different directions and energies. These positions influence Qi Men Dun Jia practices by providing a structured celestial-influence map, offering guidance on how heavenly energies interact with earthly environments and human affairs. By understanding which Heavenly Stem is positioned where in the Luo Shu, practitioners can interpret and harness these energies to influence outcomes, strategy, and decision-making in various aspects of life, lending a cosmic dimension to personal growth and strategic planning .

Geng 庚, associated with Yang Metal and longevity, symbolizes endurance and resilience in Qi Men Dun Jia. The Yang aspect of Metal reflects strength and firmness, qualities necessary for sustaining life and achieving a long existence. This association suggests that perseverance and unwavering will are key attributes to cultivate for a lengthy and fruitful life. The implication is that by understanding and aligning with Geng's energies, individuals can foster conditions optimal for health and longevity, reinforcing the holistic connection between cosmic phenomena and personal well-being within the celestial framework of Qi Men Dun Jia .

The role of cosmic alignment in Qi Men Dun Jia's use of Heavenly Stems for strategic predictions is fundamental, providing a structured system where celestial influences are mapped onto earthly events, guiding decision-making. This integration of astronomical observations into predictive practices exemplifies a holistic methodology where strategic outcomes depend on understanding cosmic cycles and their impact on human activities. By aligning human endeavors with these cycles, Qi Men Dun Jia offers a sophisticated model for anticipating and planning life's events, illustrating how attunement with cosmic rhythms can lead to harmony and success in endeavors .

Associating Jia 甲 and Yi 乙 with the East in Qi Men Dun Jia underscores their connection to beginnings, renewal, and growth—a symbolism deeply rooted in Oriental cosmology where the East signifies sunrise and new beginnings. This directional association enhances the interpretations of Jia 甲 as a symbol of POWER due to its connection with the Sun and the concept of initiation, whereas Yi 乙, linked with SECURITY, relates to Mercury and communication, representing stability and adaptation. These Eastern correspondences enrich the metaphysical dimensions of Qi Men Dun Jia, emphasizing dynamic yet stable growth and strategic foresight .

The belief that Heavenly Stems influence human thought and behavior in Qi Men Dun Jia suggests a profound philosophical implication that human existence and destiny are intertwined with the cosmos. This reflects the ancient Chinese worldview that the universe operates under coherent principles that mirror natural law and human affairs. Consequently, it implies that individuals are not passive recipients but active participants in their fate, capable of aligning with or altering their path based on cosmic understanding. This invites a holistic view of self-awareness and intentional living, where wisdom and strategic insight into the heavenly movements provide guidance for earthly conduct .

The association of Ding 丁 with wisdom reflects its conceptual role in Qi Men Dun Jia as a guiding force for intelligent decision-making. Yin Fire, which Ding represents, symbolizes clarity of thought and enlightenment, qualities essential for wisdom. This contrast with Bing 丙, Yang Fire associated with wealth, emphasizes Ding's subtle yet profound influence on understanding and insight rather than material gain. This symbolic connection underscores Ding's role in fostering deep knowledge and thoughtful strategy in navigating life's complexities, aligning with the grounded and perceptive nature inherent in its Yin disposition .

In Qi Men Dun Jia, the Heavenly Stems embody the concept of Yin and Yang by representing different types of energy and influences aligned with cosmic forces. For instance, Jia 甲 (Yang Wood) symbolizes growth and power, showcasing the proactive and expansive nature of Yang. Conversely, Yi 乙 (Yin Wood) represents security and adaptability, reflecting the receptive and stabilizing qualities of Yin. Each Heavenly Stem oscillates between these polarities, providing a balanced approach towards understanding human interaction with celestial energies, promoting a harmonious interpretation of destiny and fortune aligned with ancient Chinese metaphysical thought .

Qi Men Dun Jia transforms human perception into actionable destiny plans through the conceptual framework of the Heavenly Stems. Each stem, imbued with specific cosmic and elemental qualities, serves as a catalyst for understanding the dynamic interplay between celestial influences and human decisions. By interpreting the metaphysical characteristics of the stems—such as Bing 丙 for WEALTH or Ren 壬 for WINNING—individuals can tailor their strategies to align with favorable cosmic energies. This empowers users to craft intentional decisions and develop strategic plans that resonate with the larger cosmic order, integrating personal goals with universal principles to craft actionable paths towards one's destiny .

The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are differentiated in Qi Men Dun Jia by their symbolic nature and roles. The Heavenly Stems are associated with the energy of the Heavens and are depicted as the trunk of a tree, suggesting strength, power, and stability. In contrast, the Earthly Branches are likened to the finer, more changeable branches of the tree, representing adaptability and changeability. This analogy illustrates how the Stems provide a stable framework or influence from the Heavens, while the Branches adapt and move with earthly conditions .

Qi Men Dun Jia Compendium   245
奇
門
遁
甲
寶
鑑
E
Introduction to the 10 Heavenly Stems in 
Qi Men Dun Jia
According to ancient C
246  Qi Men Dun Jia Compendium
奇
門
遁
甲
寶
鑑
E
10 Stems Representation
The 10 Stems
Representation
Jia 甲 (Yang Wood)
POWER
官 Gu
Qi Men Dun Jia Compendium   247
奇
門
遁
甲
寶
鑑
E
SE東南
S南
SW 西南 
E
東
巳
Si
辰
Chen
丙
Bing
午
Wu
丁
Ding
未
Wei
申
Shen
乙
Yi
卯
Mao
甲
Jia

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