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Overview - The 12 Palaces

The 12 palaces (十二宫) form the structural framework of a Zi Wei Dou Shu chart. Each palace represents a specific aspect of life and contains stars that influence that life area.

Unlike Western astrology with its 12 signs, the Zi Wei Dou Shu palaces represent life domains rather than personality types. Where you are born determines your Life Palace, but the palaces remain fixed throughout your chart.

PalaceChineseEnglishLife Domain
1命宫Life PalaceCore identity, personality
2兄弟宫Siblings PalaceSiblings, peers, resources
3财帛宫Wealth PalaceMoney, finances, assets
4田宅宫Property PalaceHome, property, family roots
5官禄宫Career PalaceCareer,学业, achievements
6交友宫Friends PalaceRelationships, social circle
7迁移宫Migration PalaceTravel, external luck
8疾厄宫Health PalaceHealth, wellbeing
9财库宫Treasury PalaceSavings, accumulated wealth
10父田宫Parents PalaceParents, inheritance
11福德宫Blessings PalaceHappiness, 福气
12相貌宫Appearance PalaceAppearance, reputation

Each palace can be:

  • Strong (旺) - Favorable stars present
  • Neutral (平) - Average star placement
  • Weak (弱) - Challenging stars or empty

A palace is analyzed by:

  1. Major stars present
  2. Auxiliary stars present
  3. Empty vs. Full status
  4. Transformation stars

The most important palace - your core personality:

  • Physical appearance
  • Inner nature
  • Life direction
  • Overall life luck

Your external presentation:

  • How others perceive you
  • Life experiences that shape you
  • External behavior patterns

Financial matters:

  • Earning ability
  • Financial luck
  • Money management

Professional life:

  • Career success
  • Academic achievement
  • Professional reputation

Palaces influence each other:

RelationshipEffect
Life Palace → Wealth PalacePersonality affects finances
Life Palace → Career PalacePersonality affects career
Parents → PropertyFamily affects home/property

Explore each palace in detail: