At a glance
- Comparison items
- Layer routes and center rules
- Error
- Perimeter order is not numerical order
Definition and terminology
Rotating methods commonly preserve a perimeter order while moving a layer to a computed starting point. Flying methods place signs through a palace sequence. The distinction can change positions, not merely drawing style. The label alone does not uniquely specify all operations, because stars, doors, spirits and stems may have different rules.
Structure and rules
Rotation requires rules for the central star, carried upper stems and Chief Envoy. Flying requires direction, central passage and handling eight doors or spirits across nine palaces. Compare date inputs, arrangement, decade leader, center rules and each layer’s route before calling a chart wrong. Similar-looking diagrams can hide different algorithms.
Worked reading
A route-only exercise starts at Kan 1. Traveling around directions can next reach northeast Gen 8 and east Zhen 3; natural numerical sequence instead reaches Kun 2 then Zhen 3. The immediate divergence distinguishes routes. This is not a complete star or door algorithm or a universal rule for every lineage.
Context and limits
Classics preserve multiple procedures, while modern labels and lineages require source-by-source study. Accuracy comparisons need independently defined tests rather than selecting a method that fits a known story. The encyclopedia should make conventions traceable and variants visible. Without a specified method, chart construction remains undetermined rather than license to choose arbitrarily.
References & further reading
Historical sources document ideas and rules of their time, not empirical proof of predictive accuracy. Source notes identify the nature and scope of each reference.
- 《遁甲演义》（四库全书本）Primary / tradition source
Public-domain Qimen source; editorial account distinguishes legends from documentation and describes palaces, stems, doors and stars.
- 《奇门遁甲统宗》Primary / tradition source
Public-domain received Qimen manual; documents palace, star, door and spirit rules and variants, not modern validation.