The 12 Zi Wei Dou Shu Palaces: A Complete Guide to Your Life’s Core Areas

Introduction to Zi Wei Dou Shu’s 12 Palaces

First published in the Song Dynasty, Zi Wei Dou Shu — often called the "Emperor of Astrology" in Chinese tradition — maps your life’s core energies, patterns, and opportunities using a birth chart built from your lunar birth date and time. Unlike Western sun-sign astrology, which centers on your solar return, Zi Wei uses a circular chart divided into 12 palaces, each ruling a specific sphere of your life.

Unlike superficial listicles that only name each palace’s basic function, this guide frames each palace through relatable, actionable context, linking its energy to familiar Western astrological houses and inviting you to reflect on how it shows up in your daily life. We’ll also include a practical reflection exercise at the end to help you connect these palaces to your own story.

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The 12 Zi Wei Palaces: Breakdown by Core Life Area

Each palace has a fixed position on the chart, and its associated stars (called yao) will shift based on your individual birth data. Think of each palace as a room in your personal life home: some are high-traffic, some are quiet storage spaces, and some host your most meaningful gatherings.

1. The Palace of Self (Ming Gong)

Often called the "core of your chart," the Ming Gong rules your essential identity, life purpose, and public persona. This is the Zi Wei equivalent of the Western 1st house of self, rising sign, or sun sign in a natal chart.

Here, you’ll see the energy that shapes how others perceive you, your innate strengths, and the overarching theme of your life’s journey. If your Ming Gong has positive stars, you may feel a natural sense of confidence and alignment with your path; if it carries more challenging stars, this signals areas where you’ll grow through self-awareness and intentional choice.

Relatable example: If your Ming Gong includes the star Zi Wei (the Emperor star), you may carry a quiet, natural leadership energy, even if you don’t seek the spotlight publicly.

2. The Palace of Siblings & Peer Groups (Xiong Di Gong)

This palace governs your relationships with siblings, close friends, colleagues, and any peer group you align with regularly. It maps communication styles within these bonds, conflicts, and sources of support from your network.

Think of this as the Western 3rd house of siblings, short-distance travel, and local community. A strong peer palace may mean you thrive in collaborative workspaces or have a tight, loyal group of childhood friends, while a challenged palace could signal a need to set boundaries with draining relationships.

3. The Palace of Marriage & Romantic Partnerships (Fu Qi Gong)

Exactly as it sounds, this palace rules romantic partnerships, long-term committed relationships, and even platonic soul connections that feel deeply intimate. It does not dictate who you will marry, but rather the patterns, needs, and growth opportunities within your romantic bonds.

This aligns closely with the Western 7th house of partnerships. A palace with the star Tian Tong (the Compassion star) may signal a partner who brings warmth and emotional support, while challenging stars here could point to power imbalances or a need to prioritize mutual respect in your relationships.

4. The Palace of Wealth & Material Resources (Cai Bo Gong)

This palace governs your relationship with money, earning potential, material possessions, and even passive income streams. It does not predict exactly how much money you will make, but rather your mindset around wealth, how you attract resources, and the challenges you may face around financial security.

Unlike Western astrology’s 2nd house of personal finances, the Cai Bo Gong also includes context for how you steward the resources you have, including gifts, inheritances, and professional opportunities that bring financial gain.

5. The Palace of Career & Public Status (Guan Lu Gong)

One of the most widely studied palaces, the Guan Lu Gong rules your career path, professional goals, public reputation, and long-term standing in your field. This is the Zi Wei equivalent of the Western 10th house of career and public image.

Here, you’ll see the natural strengths that will serve you in professional settings, as well as the types of roles or industries that will align with your core energy. For example, a Guan Lu Gong with the star Wu Qu (the Wealth star) may thrive in finance, entrepreneurship, or hands-on leadership roles.

6. The Palace of Home & Family (Tian Zhai Gong)

This palace governs your domestic life, family of origin, living spaces, and sense of safety and stability at home. It rules both the physical spaces you occupy and the emotional dynamics within your household.

Think of this as the Western 4th house of home and family. A strong Tian Zhai Gong may signal a close, supportive family of origin or a home that feels like a peaceful retreat, while a challenged palace could point to unresolved family trauma or a need to create an intentional, safe space for yourself.

7. The Palace of Travel & Adventure (Yi Nian Gong)

Also called the Palace of Movement, this palace rules long-distance travel, foreign experiences, higher education, and personal growth through new perspectives. It also covers sudden changes in routine or location, such as a cross-country move or a spontaneous trip.

This aligns with the Western 9th house of travel, higher learning, and philosophy. A Yi Nian Gong with positive stars may signal exciting opportunities to study abroad or travel to meaningful destinations, while challenging stars here could point to travel delays or a need to plan carefully before embarking on long trips.

8. The Palace of Health & Well-Being (Jian She Gong)

This palace governs your physical health, energy levels, and daily self-care routines. It does not predict specific illnesses, but rather your overall relationship with your body and the patterns that impact your well-being.

Like the Western 6th house of health and daily work, the Jian She Gong also covers small, consistent habits that shape your long-term health, such as sleep, exercise, and stress management. A palace with the star Tian Liang (the Healing star) may signal a natural ability to care for your body and others, while challenging stars here could point to a need to prioritize preventative care.

9. The Palace of Friendship & Social Circles (You Qing Gong)

While the Siblings Palace covers close peers, the You Qing Gong rules broader social networks, acquaintances, and community groups you engage with regularly. This includes online communities, professional associations, and casual friend groups.

This palace maps how you show up in social settings, the types of people you attract, and the support you receive from your wider community. A strong You Qing Gong may signal a large, supportive social circle, while a challenged palace could point to feelings of isolation or a need to curate more intentional social connections.

10. The Palace of Children & Creativity (Er Nv Gong)

This palace rules your relationship with your children (biological, adopted, or chosen), creative projects, and playful, joyful expressions of self. It also covers your inner child and the parts of yourself that allow for curiosity and play.

Aligning with the Western 5th house of children, creativity, and romance, the Er Nv Gong highlights the activities that bring you pure joy, outside of professional or financial obligations. A palace with the star Shao Yao (the Joy star) may signal a natural talent for creative expression or a close, loving bond with any children in your life.

11. The Palace of Subconscious & Hidden Challenges (Fu De Gong)

Often called the most nuanced palace, the Fu De Gong rules your subconscious mind, hidden fears, spiritual beliefs, and unspoken patterns that shape your life. It also covers acts of kindness, generosity, and the legacy you leave behind.

Unlike other palaces that focus on external circumstances, the Fu De Gong invites you to look inward at the beliefs and habits that you may not even be aware of. For example, a Fu De Gong with challenging stars could signal subconscious limiting beliefs around abundance or worth, while positive stars here may signal a strong sense of spiritual alignment and empathy for others.

12. The Palace of Destiny & Life Cycles (Zong Fu Gong)

The final palace on the chart, the Zong Fu Gong rules the overarching cycles of your life, major turning points, and the ultimate legacy of your life’s work. It ties together the energy of all the other palaces to show the full arc of your journey.

This palace is less about specific events and more about the themes that will repeat throughout your life, and the lessons you will learn across each decade. A strong Zong Fu Gong may signal a life that feels aligned with your core purpose, while a challenged palace could point to major life shifts that will push you to grow beyond your comfort zone.

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Try This Week: Connect the Palaces to Your Life

To make these palaces feel personal, set aside 10 minutes this week to journal through these prompts:

1. Which area of your life feels most aligned right now? Match it to one of the 12 palaces, and note which stars or energies you associate with that space.
2. Which area of your life feels most out of balance? What small, intentional step can you take this week to nurture that palace’s energy?
3. Look back at a major life event from the past 5 years. Which palace do you think it fell under, and what lesson did you learn from that experience?

This exercise will help you start to map your own lived experience onto the Zi Wei framework, without relying on deterministic predictions.

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Final Notes on Zi Wei Palaces: Agency Over Fate

It’s important to remember that Zi Wei Dou Shu is not a system of fate: the palaces and stars do not dictate exactly what will happen in your life. Instead, they act as a mirror to help you understand your innate strengths, patterns, and growth opportunities.

The stars associated with each palace can be amplified or softened by your own choices: a challenging star in the Career Palace does not mean you will fail at your job, but rather that you may face specific challenges that will help you build resilience and refine your skills.

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Disclaimer

This content is for entertainment and self-reflection purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, legal, financial, or psychological advice. Always consult a qualified licensed professional for issues related to your health, wealth, relationships, or personal well-being.