What Is Mourning Gate (喪門) in BaZi?
Learn how Sang Men is found two branches ahead of the birth-year branch, how natal and annual layers differ, and why Mourning Gate cannot predict death or loss.
Overview
Sang Men is two branches forward from the birth-year branch, such as Yin for a Zi year and Mao for a Chou year. Classical texts pair it with Diao Ke and also use it in annual twelve-palace systems. A match does not predict bereavement, death, or family harm.
At a glance
- Reference
- Birth-year branch
- Method
- Move two branches forward
- Examples
- Zi finds Yin; Chou finds Mao; Yin finds Chen
- Paired marker
- Diao Ke moves two branches backward
- Common layers
- Natal chart and annual twelve-palace cycle
- Other name
- Mourning Gate Sha
How to calculate Sang Men
Start with the birth-year branch and move forward two positions around the twelve-branch cycle. Zi reaches Yin and Wu reaches Shen. The target must occur in the natal chart to register as a natal marker.
Classical material also places this location in annual twelve-palace cycles. A natal occurrence and a year temporarily arriving at the location are not the same claim, so reports must name the layer.
- Two positions forward from the year branch is the core rule.
- Separate natal placement from annual timing.
Sang Men and Diao Ke form a directional pair
Sang Men sits two branches forward while Diao Ke sits two backward, creating a positional pair around the year branch. The pair checks an older cycle model; it does not provide two independent event guarantees.
Any interpretation still needs the matched pillar, seasonal condition, branch interactions, and evidence that timing activates something material in the chart.
- Understand the two labels through their directional relation.
- Matched location and interaction matter more than the name.
How to read historical mourning language today
The name reflects premodern calendrical and mourning customs. A modern reference can preserve that history while making clear that the term is not a factual notice about someone’s future.
When a reader is facing grief, caregiving, or family stress, practical support and qualified resources are more useful than searching for an inevitable chart cause.
- Preserve historical context without fear-based claims.
- Put real support ahead of symbolic speculation.
Death, illness, and family-event boundary
Sang Men cannot predict a death, illness, accident, funeral, bereavement year, or lifespan for the person or a relative.
Respond to health warnings and safety concerns through medical care, emergency services, and reliable information. Never delay care or alarm a family because of this marker.
- Do not predict death, bereavement, or lifespan.
- Take real-world action for health and safety concerns.
Sources and editorial basis
- 《三命通會》 (Sanming Tonghui)卷三「干支諸字雜犯神煞・喪吊煞」：命前二辰喪門、命後二辰吊客A historical compilation covering stems and branches, Ten Gods, Nayin, Shen Sha, and multiple classical pattern systems.
- OpenFate Editorial Methodology喪吊名稱不得轉譯為死亡、疾病或喪事預測OpenFate separates deterministic chart calculation, traditional interpretation, and modern editorial explanation.