The 12 Palaces of Zi Wei Dou Shu Explained

Every domain of your fate mapped on the Purple Star board · 十二宮

In Zi Wei Dou Shu (Purple Star Astrology), the natal chart is divided into twelve palaces (宮), each governing a specific life domain. Stars placed within each palace describe how that area of your life unfolds — its strengths, challenges, and timing.

The Twelve Palaces at a Glance

• Life Palace (命宮) — Core self, character, life mission, overall fate trajectory
• Siblings Palace (兄弟宮) — Sibling relationships, close peers, collaborative capacity
• Spouse Palace (夫妻宮) — Marriage, romance, partner characteristics you attract
• Children Palace (子女宮) — Children, creativity, investments, subordinates
• Wealth Palace (財帛宮) — Income style, money management, fortune timing
• Health Palace (疾厄宮) — Constitutional health, vulnerability periods
• Travel Palace (遷移宮) — Life away from home, relocation, external environments
• Friends Palace (仆役宮) — Colleagues, employees, social helpers and drainers
• Career Palace (官祿宮) — Vocation, public reputation, professional achievement
• Property Palace (田宅宮) — Real estate, home environment, family inheritance
• Virtue Palace (福德宮) — Inner happiness, spiritual merit, quality of joy
• Parents Palace (父母宮) — Parents, authority figures, mentors, heavenly support

How Palace Order Is Determined

The Life Palace position is calculated from your birth month and hour. All other palaces follow in fixed counter-clockwise order around the board. This is why birth hour is non-negotiable — shifting the Life Palace rotates every domain simultaneously.

Reading Priorities

Most readings begin with the Life, Wealth, and Career palaces, then expand to Spouse and Health. Annual fortune analysis activates different palaces each year based on flying star movements and personal Major Cycle (大限) timing.

See your actual palace star placements with our free chart calculator, or order a complete 12-palace written report.