Primary and Secondary Qi in Hidden Stems (主氣與副氣)
Compare the leading and additional hidden stems inside a branch without treating table order as a universal numeric score or deleting secondary evidence.
Overview
Primary and secondary qi is a practical grouping: the first hidden stem represents the branch’s leading internal qi, while additional stems preserve supporting or residual layers. This hierarchy organizes analysis; it does not make secondary qi irrelevant or establish one universal percentage. Each stem keeps its polarity, Ten God, roots, and chart conditions.
At a glance
- Primary qi
- First stem in the branch sequence
- Secondary qi
- Additional middle or residual layers
- Shared property
- Each keeps phase, polarity, and Ten God
- Hierarchy
- Organizes branch contents
- Modifiers
- Season, exposure, roots, and branch interactions
- Limit
- Not a universal percentage formula
Start with ordered membership
List every hidden stem in canonical order. Call the first layer primary and the remaining layers secondary only after preserving their exact identities.
Branches with one stem have no secondary layer. Branches with two or three stems should not be forced into the same numeric split.
- Preserve the complete list.
- Do not invent missing layers.
Calculate each layer independently
Compare every stored stem with the Day Master to derive Ten Gods, and compare it with visible stems when testing roots or exposure.
Different layers in one branch can support different chart functions. A branch-wide label hides these simultaneous relationships.
- Retain stem polarity.
- Attach each result to its branch and qi layer.
Let chart conditions qualify hierarchy
Primary qi is the leading default, but secondary qi can become prominent through exposure, seasonal support, repetition, or a relevant combination.
Conversely, damage, weak season, or competing pathways can limit any layer. State the method if numerical weighting is used.
- Explain why a layer is usable.
- Disclose school-specific weights.
Do not convert hierarchy into human rank
Primary and secondary do not mean important and unimportant people, conscious and unconscious selves, or good and bad outcomes.
Use the hierarchy only to organize technical evidence, with complete-chart and real-world boundaries preserved.
- No personality hierarchy from qi labels.
- No outcome from table order alone.
Sources and editorial basis
- 《淵海子平》 (Yuanhai Ziping)地支藏干與月令旺衰諸論：支中主氣及副層同時存在，判讀須保留層次而不可只數五行A foundational Ziping reference for branch months, hidden stems, roots, and stem-branch relationships.
- OpenFate Editorial Methodology主氣與副氣分欄記錄，固定映射與流派加權分離，避免把相對層級寫成絕對力量百分比OpenFate separates deterministic chart calculation, traditional interpretation, and modern editorial explanation.