Qi Men Inauspicious Formations: Liu Yi Ji Xing, Fu Yin, Fan Yin Explained

Just as auspicious formations signal favorable energy, inauspicious formations (凶格) warn you when conditions are unfavorable. Recognizing them is just as important as knowing the lucky ones — because sometimes the wisest move is not to move at all.

This guide covers the most important inauspicious formations in Qi Men Dun Jia, what triggers them, and what they mean for your decisions.

Quick Reference: Each formation below includes its Chinese name, Pinyin, triggering conditions, practical meaning, and what strategy to adopt.

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What Are Inauspicious Formations (凶格)?

An inauspicious formation is a specific combination of stems, doors, and stars that creates resistant or hostile energy in a chart. Unlike auspicious formations that amplify favorable conditions, inauspicious ones signal:

• Timing that is not supportive — actions taken now face extra resistance
• Conflict or opposition — opposing forces are at play
• Internal tension — the situation contains contradictions

Important: Inauspicious does not mean "doomed." It means be cautious, strategic, and patient. Some formations even have exceptions where the damage can be mitigated.

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1. Fei Gan Ge (飞干格) — "Flying Stem Formation"

Severity: ★★★★★ (Extreme) Trigger: The day stem (日干, representing the querent) flies onto the Geng (庚) stem on the earth plate.

What It Means

Geng (庚) is the most inauspicious stem in Qi Men Dun Jia — it represents obstruction, conflict, and disaster. When the day stem (you) lands on Geng:

• Unexpected calamity — sudden trouble you did not foresee
• Hostile environment — you are surrounded by opposition
• Travel danger — not favorable for journeys

Strategy

Avoid all major action. This formation is extremely unfavorable. Wait for the energy to shift before acting.

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2. Fu Gan Ge (伏干格) — "Hidden Stem Formation"

Severity: ★★★★ Trigger: The heaven plate Geng (庚) sits on top of the day stem on the earth plate.

What It Means

Opposite of Fei Gan Ge — here Geng presses down on you. This creates:

• External pressure — someone or something is oppressing you
• Restricted freedom — you cannot act as you wish
• Disadvantage for the host — unfavorable for the party that is passive

Strategy

If you are the guest (主动方), you may still find opportunity. If you are the host (被动方), hold back and wait.

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3. Nian Ge / Yue Ge / Ri Ge / Shi Ge (年格/月格/日格/时格) — "Year/Month/Day/Hour Stem Encounters Geng"

Severity: ★★★ to ★★★★ Trigger: Geng appears on the year stem, month stem, day stem, or hour stem.

What It Means

The scale of the problem depends on which stem Geng encounters:

| Type | Meaning | Timing of Event | |------|---------|-----------------| | Year Ge (年格/岁格) | Conflict with elders, parents, or authority | Within the year | | Month Ge (月格) | Conflict with siblings, peers, colleagues | Within the month | | Day Ge (日格) | Conflict with spouse or self | Within the day | | Hour Ge (时格) | Conflict with subordinates, children, or outcomes | Within the hour |

In marriage readings: Year Ge = conflict with in-laws; Month Ge = sibling interference; Day/Hour Ge = spouse character issues.

Strategy

Identify who or what the conflict relates to, and factor that into your decision.

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4. Xing Ge (刑格) — "Punishment Formation"

Severity: ★★★★ Trigger: Geng + Ji (庚+己) on the heaven/earth plate.

What It Means

"Punishment returns to the sender." This formation indicates:

• Legal disputes — lawsuits, penalties
• Financial loss — bad investments, broken deals
• Physical injury — accidents, illness
• Business: "Do not invest" — early withdrawal is advised

In marriage: Both parties have explosive temperaments; domestic violence risk.

Strategy

Withdraw immediately. If you are in a business deal, cut your losses. If in a relationship, recognize the toxicity.

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5. Bei Ge (悖格) — "Rebellious Formation"

Severity: ★★★★ Trigger: One of three conditions:

1. Heaven plate Bing (丙) on year/month/day/hour stem
2. Heaven plate Bing (丙) on the Value Deity (值符)
3. Heaven plate Value Deity (值符) on earth plate Bing (丙)

What It Means

Bing (丙) represents heavenly wrath — fierce, impulsive energy. When it clashes with other elements:

• Actions backfire — good intentions lead to chaos
• Disorder and rebellion — unexpected disruptions
• Bad for the guest, good for the host — stay defensive, not offensive

In marriage:暴烈脾气, impulsiveness, domestic violence risk In business: Losses if you continue; withdraw to protect capital

Strategy

Hold your ground. Do not initiate. If you must act, defend rather than attack. The presence of the three lucky doors (Open, Rest, Life) can mitigate this formation.

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6. Fu Yin (伏吟) — "Stagnation / Everything in Place"

Severity: ★★★ (Context-dependent) Trigger: Stars, doors, or the Value Deity sit in their home palace (不动).

What It Means

Everything is stuck in place. Things move slowly, progress stalls, and action meets resistance:

• Slow and delayed — everything takes longer than expected
• Unfavorable for initiative — do not start new ventures
• Favorable for defense — the passive party has the advantage
• Long illnesses — recovery is slow
• Business: Profits come late; do not rush

Exception: Large corporations and established institutions benefit from Fu Yin (stability). Small businesses and individuals suffer.

Special Combinations

| Combination | Meaning | |-------------|---------| | 天蓬+天蓬 | Theft, loss, death | | 死门+死门 | Deadlock, no way forward | | 辛+辛 | Self-inflicted error |

Strategy

Patience is the only option. Accumulate resources, train, wait. If you are already in motion, assess: if your chart is weak, stop and reassess. If your chart is strong, a bold counter-move may yield unexpected results.

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7. Fan Yin (反吟) — "Reversal / Everything Opposite"

Severity: ★★★ (Context-dependent) Trigger: Stars, doors, or the Value Deity sit in the opposite palace (对冲).

What It Means

Everything is turned upside down. Things move fast but are unstable:

• Speed and volatility — rapid changes, reversals
• Favorable for the guest (主动方) — aggressive action works
• Unfavorable for the host (被动方) — defending is risky
• Relationships: Turbulent,波折, possible divorce but hard to finalize
• Illness: Acute illness recovers fast; chronic illness worsens

Special Combinations

| Combination | Meaning | |-------------|---------| | Stars + Doors both Fan Yin | Major upheaval — internal and external factors changing | | Stars Fan Yin, Doors not | Internal revolution, external calm —变革 coming | | Doors Fan Yin, Stars not | External drama, internal calm — rumors and noise | | Doors Fu Yin, Stars Fan Yin | Outwardly calm, inwardly turbulent — crisis brewing |

Strategy

Act quickly and decisively. If you are the aggressor (客), strike first. If you are weak, retreat and reassess. Fan Yin favors speed but punishes hesitation.

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8. Liu Yi Ji Xing (六仪击刑) — "Six Instruments Striking Punishment"

Severity: ★★★★★ (Extremely Inauspicious) Trigger: A heavenly stem strikes a palace that punishes it:

| Stem | Palace | Punishment | Physical/Event Manifestation | |------|--------|-----------|------------------------------| | 甲子戊 | 震三宫 | 子刑卯 | Leg/stomach injury, investment loss | | 甲戌己 | 坤二宫 | 戌刑未 | Arm/skin/abdomen injury, frustration | | 甲申庚 | 艮八宫 | 申刑寅 | Tendon/left leg injury, car accident | | 甲午辛 | 离九宫 | 午午自刑 | Head injury, fracture, death of loved one | | 甲辰壬 | 巽四宫 | 辰辰自刑 | Leg/arm/hip injury, nervous system issues | | 甲寅癸 | 巽四宫 | 寅刑巳 | Lower leg/foot injury, imprisonment |

What It Means

"Misfortune upon misfortune." This is when a person is at their weakest and gets attacked. In practice:

• At least two bad things happen simultaneously — "祸不单行"
• Physical injury — body parts corresponding to the punished palace
• Mental distress — self-conflict, self-blame, depression
• Financial loss — especially in investments
• Marital violence —暴躁 temperament, domestic conflict

Exception: If the Value Deity (值符) is present, it can neutralize the punishment — "所到之处，百恶消除" (wherever the Value Deity goes, all evil is eliminated).

Strategy

Absolute avoidance of major action. This is one of the most dangerous formations. If caught in it, focus on safety, health, and damage control.

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9. Wu Bu Yu Shi (五不遇时) — "Five Unlucky Hours"

Severity: ★★★★ Trigger: The hour stem overcomes the day stem, and both are of the same polarity (yang overcomes yang, yin overcomes yin):

| Day Stem | Unlucky Hour | |----------|-------------| | 甲 (Jia) | 庚午 (Geng Wu) | | 乙 (Yi) | 辛巳 (Xin Si) | | 丙 (Bing) | 壬辰 (Ren Chen) | | 丁 (Ding) | 癸卯 (Gui Mao) | | 戊 (Wu) | 甲寅 (Jia Yin) | | 己 (Ji) | 乙丑 (Yi Chou) | | 庚 (Geng) | 丙子 (Bing Zi) | | 辛 (Xin) | 丁酉 (Ding You) | | 壬 (Ren) | 戊申 (Wu Shen) | | 癸 (Gui) | 己未 (Ji Wei) |

What It Means

The event overcomes the person (事克人) — you are crushed by circumstances:

• General: Things go poorly, many obstacles
• Marriage: Relationship changes, possible breakup
• Illness: Condition deteriorates
• Wealth: "Empty effort" — hard work with no reward

Strategy

Avoid using this hour for important decisions. It does not mean the action will definitely fail — other formations in the chart can mitigate — but it is best to choose a different time.

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10. Shi Gan Ru Mu (时干入墓) — "Hour Stem Enters the Tomb"

Severity: ★★★ to ★★★★ Trigger: The hour stem falls into its tomb palace (墓库).

Examples

| Hour Stem | Tomb Palace | |-----------|------------| | 丙 (Bing) / 戊 (Wu) | 乾六宫 (Palace 6) | | 壬 (Ren) / 癸 (Gui) | 巽四宫 (Palace 4) | | 癸 (Gui) | 坤二宫 (Palace 2) | | 己 (Ji) / 丁 (Ding) | 艮八宫 (Palace 8) |

What It Means

Things lack closure or completion:

• Business: Money cannot be retained; investments leak
• Marriage: Difficult to finalize
• Travel: Delays, obstacles
• General: Things start but never finish

Important distinction: 入墓 (entering tomb) vs. 入库 (entering storage). Tomb = permanent blockage. Storage = temporary delay that will resolve.

Strategy

Wait for the tomb to open. This formation is not permanent — when the timing shifts, the blockage lifts.

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11. San Qi Ru Mu (三奇入墓) — "Three Odd Stems Enter the Tomb"

Severity: ★★★★ Trigger:

• 乙奇 (Yi) enters 乾六宫 or 坤二宫
• 丙奇 (Bing) enters 乾宫
• 丁奇 (Ding) enters 艮八宫

What It Means

The three most auspicious stems are trapped and powerless:

• Good fortune becomes bad — luck reverses
• Bad fortune becomes muted — disasters are blunted but not eliminated
• Corporate readings: Internal discord, misalignment
• Military: Do not march

Strategy

Complete standstill. No action is advisable until the stems emerge from the tomb.

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12. Men Po (门迫) — "Door Forces Against Palace"

Severity: ★★★ Trigger: The door overcomes the palace it sits in:

| Door | Palace it Overcomes | Effect | |------|-------------------|--------| | 休门 (Rest) | 离宫 (Li) | Calm energy fights fire energy | | 开门 (Open) | 巽宫/震宫 (Xun/Zhen) | Opening energy fights wood | | 惊门 (Shock) | 巽宫/震宫 (Xun/Zhen) | Fear energy fights wood | | 生门 (Life) | 坎宫 (Kan) | Growth energy fights water | | 伤门 (Harm) | 坤宫/艮宫 (Kun/Gen) | Injury energy fights earth | | 杜门 (Du) | 坤宫/艮宫 (Kun/Gen) | Blocked energy fights earth | | 景门 (Scenic) | 乾宫/兑宫 (Qian/Dui) | Vision energy fights metal | | 死门 (Death) | 坎宫 (Kan) | Death energy fights water |

What It Means

50% energy loss — you must work twice as hard for half the result. In practice:

• Psychological factor: Inner conflict, reluctance to move forward
• Resistance: External obstacles similar to encountering Geng (庚)
• Not always bad: Some combinations (生门 in Kan, 景门 in Qian, 惊门 in Xun) remain auspicious

Strategy

Acknowledge the friction but push through if the overall chart supports it. The key is recognizing that your effort will be amplified by internal resistance.

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13. Men Shou Zhi (门受制) — "Door Controlled by Palace"

Severity: ★★★ Trigger: The palace overcomes the door:

| Door | Palace that Controls It | |------|------------------------| | 休门 (Rest) | 艮宫/坤宫 (Gen/Kun) | | 生门/死门 (Life/Death) | 震宫/巽宫 (Zhen/Xun) | | 伤门/杜门 (Harm/Du) | 乾宫/兑宫 (Qian/Dui) | | 景门 (Scenic) | 坎宫 (Kan) | | 惊门/开门 (Shock/Open) | 离宫 (Li) |

What It Means

The door's energy is suppressed — its effect is diminished:

• 吉门受制 (Lucky door suppressed): Good events lose their goodness
• 凶门受制 (Unlucky door suppressed): Bad events are muted — "凶不起"

Practical interpretation: The door-door relationship (门门克应) provides more accurate readings than simply saying "suppressed = bad."

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14. San Qi Shou Zhi (三奇受制) — "Three Odd Stems Controlled"

Severity: ★★★ Trigger:

• 丙/丁 in 坎宫 or on 壬/癸 — "Fire enters water region"
• 乙 in 乾/兑 or on 庚/辛 — "Wood enters metal region"

What It Means

The three lucky stems cannot express their positive qualities. Their auspicious effects are muted, but the severity depends on the season (月令) and the strength of the stems and palaces.

Strategy

Do not assume total failure. Analyze the overall chart strength — some combinations still work under favorable conditions.

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Quick Reference Table

| Formation | Severity | Key Signal | Strategy | |-----------|----------|-----------|----------| | 飞干格 (Fei Gan) | ★★★★★ | Unexpected disaster | Avoid all action | | 伏干格 (Fu Gan) | ★★★★ | External oppression | Act only if guest | | 年/月/日/时格 | ★★★-★★★★ | Geng conflicts at various scales | Identify the conflict source | | 刑格 (Xing Ge) | ★★★★ | Punishment, legal issues | Withdraw immediately | | 悖格 (Bei Ge) | ★★★★ | Chaos, backfire | Defend, do not attack | | 伏吟 (Fu Yin) | ★★★ | Stagnation, delay | Wait, accumulate | | 反吟 (Fan Yin) | ★★★ | Volatility, reversal | Act fast if strong | | 六仪击刑 | ★★★★★ | Misfortune on misfortune | Absolute avoidance | | 五不遇时 | ★★★★ | Event overcomes person | Choose different time | | 时干入墓 | ★★★-★★★★ | Incomplete, blocked | Wait for tomb to open | | 三奇入墓 | ★★★★ | Lucky stems trapped | Complete standstill | | 门迫 (Men Po) | ★★★ | 50% energy loss | Push through with awareness | | 门受制 | ★★★ | Suppressed effect | Analyze overall chart | | 三奇受制 | ★★★ | Lucky stems muted | Check seasonal strength |

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How to Use This in Practice

When you receive a Qi Men reading, the AI will identify which formations are present. Here is how to interpret them:

1. Inauspicious formation present? → Proceed with caution, adjust strategy
2. Multiple inauspicious formations? → Strong signal to wait or change approach
3. Inauspicious + auspicious together? → The auspicious one may mitigate or modify the inauspicious one
4. No formation present? → Neutral energy — your decision depends on other chart factors

Remember: Formations are not fate. They are a weather forecast for your decision. Even bad weather can be navigated with the right preparation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I always avoid action when an inauspicious formation appears? A: Not always. Some formations (like Fan Yin) favor aggressive action. Others (like Fu Yin) favor patience. The key is understanding what type of inauspicious energy is present and responding accordingly.

Q: Can an auspicious formation cancel out an inauspicious one? A: In practice, the stronger formation dominates. If both are equal, the inauspicious one limits the auspicious one. A skilled reader weighs all factors together.

Q: Do I need to memorize all these formations? A: No. Our free AI tool (qimensage.com) automatically detects formations in your chart and explains what they mean for your specific question.

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Try It Yourself

Want to see which formations appear in your chart? Get a free Qi Men reading:

👉 qimensage.com — Enter your question, get your chart, and discover what the energy pattern suggests.

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References: 不吹牛奇门遁甲培训教材 (Chapter 14), 楚恒易学体系