The Twelve Palaces

The Twelve Palaces

A Zi Wei Dou Shu chart consists of twelve palaces, each representing an important aspect of life. Understanding the meaning of the Twelve Palaces (Shi Er Gong) is the foundation of chart interpretation.

Detailed Breakdown of the Twelve Palaces

1. Life Palace - Represents the self, personality, innate structure, appearance, and temperament
2. Siblings Palace - Represents siblings, colleagues, and peer relationships
3. Spouse Palace - Represents marriage, spouse, and romantic status
4. Children Palace - Represents children, subordinates, and romantic encounters
5. Wealth Palace - Represents financial luck, sources of income, and money management ability
6. Health Palace - Represents health, illness, and calamities
7. Travel Palace - Represents going out, social interactions, and how others perceive you
8. Friends Palace (Servants Palace) - Represents friends, subordinates, and followers
9. Career Palace (Official Rank Palace) - Represents career, work, and studies
10. Property Palace - Represents real estate, family environment, and living conditions
11. Karma Palace - Represents mental state, interests and hobbies, and the inner world
12. Parents Palace - Represents parents, elders, and superiors

The Three Harmony and Cardinal Positions

The three harmony and cardinal positions are key concepts for assessing the fortune of any given palace. Taking the Life Palace as an example, its three harmony positions include the Career Palace and the Wealth Palace (the three-harmony frame positions), while the cardinal positions add the Travel Palace (the opposing palace). The stars in these positions all exert an influence on the Life Palace.

Opposing Palace Relationships

• Life Palace ↔ Travel Palace
• Siblings Palace ↔ Friends Palace
• Spouse Palace ↔ Career Palace
• Children Palace ↔ Property Palace
• Wealth Palace ↔ Karma Palace
• Health Palace ↔ Parents Palace

Stars in an opposing palace will "borrow in" to influence the current palace, creating an effect known as "borrowing stars to anchor the palace." This influence is especially pronounced when the current palace lacks a major star and relies on the major star from its opposing palace.