Zi Wei Dou Shu Terms
The stars and palaces of a Zi Wei chart: fourteen major stars, the supporting and minor stars, the twelve palaces and the four transformations.
The fourteen major stars
- The Emperor star
- The Emperor star (Zi Wei, 紫微), symbolizing nobility, command, and central standing. In the Life Palace it grants strong opinions and concern for face; it thrives when joined by aid…
- Star of wisdom and adaptability
- Star of wisdom and adaptability (Tian Ji, 天机), governing thought, planning, and ties with siblings and friends. Clever and changeable by nature, suited to brainwork, coordination, …
- Star of brightness and prestige
- Star of brightness and prestige (Tai Yang, the Sun, 太阳), governing reputation, the father bond, male benefactors, and public presence. Better for those born by day; in a strong pos…
- Wealth star and general star
- Wealth star and general star (Wu Qu, 武曲), governing fortitude, decisiveness, and earning power. Practical and dutiful, good at managing money and execution. With malefics like Huo …
- Star of blessings
- Star of blessings (Tian Tong, 天同), governing gentleness, enjoyment, and good fortune. Easygoing and conflict-averse, it suits palaces like Wellbeing or Property. With malefics its …
- 廉贞
- Secondary romance star and “prison” star (Lian Zhen, 廉贞), governing emotion, discipline, and complex relationships. It can make or break: in a strong seat it brings authority and d…
- Treasury star and command star
- Treasury star and command star (Tian Fu, 天府), governing prudence, saving, and stable resources. Steady and good at consolidation, it favors meeting Tian Xiang and Zi Wei. In Wealth…
- Wealth star and mother star
- Wealth star and mother star (Tai Yin, the Moon, 太阴), governing tenderness, reserve, and real estate. Better for those born by night; in a strong seat it is delicate and good with m…
- Star of romance and desire
- Star of romance and desire (Tan Lang, 贪狼), governing socializing, talent, and ambition. In a strong seat it carries dignity and aspiration and can achieve greatly; fallen it craves…
- Dark star and star of speech
- Dark star and star of speech (Ju Men, 巨门), governing expression, research, and criticism. Eloquent and suited to law, teaching, and media, yet apt to draw verbal disputes. Paired w…
- Seal star and star of livelihood
- Seal star and star of livelihood (Tian Xiang, 天相), governing assistance, fairness, and material comfort. Honest and good at mediation, it favors meeting Zi Wei and Tian Fu. In Care…
- Shelter star and longevity star
- Shelter star and longevity star (Tian Liang, 天梁), governing loftiness, resolution of trouble, and bonds with elders. It can turn misfortune into fortune, suiting education, medicin…
- General star and star of severity
- General star and star of severity (Qi Sha, 七杀), governing drive, risk, and upheaval. Fierce by nature, it suits martial roles and pioneering ventures; alone or with malefics it bri…
- Expenditure star and vanguard star
- Expenditure star and vanguard star (Po Jun, 破军), governing rebuilding after destruction, change, and consumption. The pattern of breaking first then establishing is clear, suiting …
Supporting stars
- Auxiliary auspicious star
- Auxiliary auspicious star (Zuo Fu, 左辅), governing benefactors, support, and generosity. It often brings helpful people and makes up for a weak main star. In Life or Career it means…
- Auxiliary auspicious star
- Auxiliary auspicious star (You Bi, 右弼), paired with Zuo Fu, governing behind-the-scenes help, tolerance, and coordination. Softer than Zuo Fu, it suits backstage planning and suppo…
- Star of examinations and documents
- Star of examinations and documents (Wen Chang, 文昌), governing tests, learning, and orthodox fame. Good for study, certification, and clerical work; better when facing or joined wit…
- Star of talent and eloquence
- Star of talent and eloquence (Wen Qu, 文曲), governing speech, art, and unorthodox learning. More inclined to flair and romantic appeal than Wen Chang; joined with Wu Qu the classics…
- Yang Benefactor
- Yang Benefactor (Tian Kui, 天魁), governing open prestige, mentorship from elders, and opportunity. Help often comes in public settings; favorable for exams, job-seeking, and promoti…
- Yin Benefactor
- Yin Benefactor (Tian Yue, 天钺), governing hidden prestige and help from women or in private. Paired with Tian Kui the benefactor force is strong; even alone it means someone quietly…
- Wealth-salary star
- Wealth-salary star (Lu Cun, 禄存), governing income, consolidation, and longevity. It dissolves some malefic force and suits Wealth or Property; when hemmed by Qing Yang and Tuo Luo,…
- Star of movement
- Star of movement (Tian Ma, 天马), governing travel, change, and development afar. Joined with Lu Cun or Hua Lu it forms “Salary-Horse in tandem,” earning through motion; with Di Kong…
- Malefic of injury
- Malefic of injury (Qing Yang, 擎羊), governing fierceness, blades, lawsuits, and a hot temper. It boosts the might of Wu Qu and Qi Sha yet invites conflict and harm. In a strong seat…
- Malefic of delay and entanglement
- Malefic of delay and entanglement (Tuo Luo, 陀罗), governing slowness, repetition, hidden hurt, and chronic illness. Affairs stall, so patience helps; joined with Wen Chang or Wen Qu…
- Malefic of violence
- Malefic of violence (Huo Xing, 火星), governing impatience, sudden events, fire, and accidents. Joined with fiery stars like Tan Lang or Tai Yang, guard against impulse; in a strong …
- Hidden-fire malefic (Ling Xing, 铃星), governing covert drain and an outburst after long restraint. More hidden than Huo Xing, it tends toward quarrels, insomnia, and chronic wear; w…
- Void malefic
- Void malefic (Di Kong, 地空), governing daydreaming, waste, and idealism. It weakens wealth stars yet also brings creativity, religion, and technical breakthroughs; better suited to …
- Plunder malefic
- Plunder malefic (Di Jie, 地劫), governing seizure, abrupt change, and breaking convention. Together with Di Kong it is the “Void-Plunder” pair, often meaning money in and out and pla…
Minor stars
- Star of romance and joy
- Star of romance and joy (Hong Luan, 红鸾), governing love, celebration, and popularity; with auspicious stars a good match, with malefics emotional turmoil.
- Star of celebration
- Star of celebration (Tian Xi, 天喜), opposite Hong Luan, governing childbirth, weddings, and good news arriving.
- Star of punishment
- Star of punishment (Tian Xing, 天刑), governing law, discipline, surgery, and self-restraint; with Qing Yang or Guan Fu, lawsuits are especially heavy.
- Secondary romance star
- Secondary romance star (Tian Yao, 天姚), governing charm, allure, and emotional temptation; without malefics it brings popularity, with malefics romantic disputes.
- Star of resolution
- Star of resolution (Jie Shen, 解神), governing the easing of trouble and turning things around; it can lessen the force of malefics and Hua Ji.
- Star of hidden hindrance (Yin Sha, 阴煞), governing petty people, gloom, and unseen resistance.
- Star of grief
- Star of grief (Tian Ku, 天哭), governing weeping, sorrow, and low moods; with auspicious stars it can turn into compassion.
- Star of depletion
- Star of depletion (Tian Xu, 天虚), governing the insubstantial, coming to nothing, and empty fame.
- Auspicious star of arts
- Auspicious star of arts (Long Chi, 龙池), governing talent, refined nobility, and aesthetics.
- Opposite Long Chi
- Opposite Long Chi (Feng Ge, 凤阁), governing writing, renown, and refined nobility.
- Star of ranks
- Star of ranks (San Tai, 三台), governing promotion, ascending steps, and supporting positions.
- Opposite San Tai
- Opposite San Tai (Ba Zuo, 八座), governing status, rank of seating, and distinction.
- Star of grace
- Star of grace (En Guang, 恩光), governing receiving favor, honor, and luster.
- Star of nobility
- Star of nobility (Tian Gui, 天贵), governing dignity and being respected.
- Star of conferment
- Star of conferment (Tai Fu, 台辅), governing honor, official titles, and assistance.
- Opposite Tai Fu
- Opposite Tai Fu (Feng Gao, 封诰), governing conferment and commendation.
- Star of lofty solitude
- Star of lofty solitude (Hua Gai, 华盖), governing art, religion, solitude, and quiet cultivation.
- The Romance Pool
- The Romance Pool (Xian Chi, 咸池), governing desire, indulgence, and allure.
- Star of solitude
- Star of solitude (Gu Chen, 孤辰), governing thin family ties and a lofty, solitary nature; in a man’s chart it is rather unfavorable in the Spouse palace.
- Opposite Gu Chen
- Opposite Gu Chen (Gua Su, 寡宿), governing solitude and a cold marriage.
- Star of intelligence
- Star of intelligence (Tian Cai, 天才), governing wit, learning, and talent.
- Star of longevity
- Star of longevity (Tian Shou, 天寿), governing health, lifespan, and self-care.
- Star of officialdom
- Star of officialdom (Tian Guan, 天官), governing position and official rank.
- Star of blessing
- Star of blessing (Tian Fu, 天福), governing enjoyment and ease.
- Star of emptiness
- Star of emptiness (Tian Kong, 天空), like Di Kong but leaning toward the unmoored and fanciful.
- Star of severance
- Star of severance (Jie Kong, 截空), governing falling through midway and matters hard to complete.
- The decanal void
- The decanal void (Xun Kong, 旬空), governing matters within that decan being largely insubstantial.
- Star of plunder
- Star of plunder (Jie Sha, 劫煞), governing sudden loss and seizure.
- Star of great expenditure
- Star of great expenditure (Da Hao, 大耗), governing large outlays and loss of property.
- Star of promotion and inheritance
- Star of promotion and inheritance (Tian Wu, 天巫), governing advancement, rank, inheriting estates, and interest in religion and metaphysics. With Lu Cun, Hua Lu, or Tian Ma it often…
- Star of livelihood
- Star of livelihood (Tian Chu, 天厨), governing food, culinary fortune, and material comfort. In Life, Wellbeing, or Property it usually means never wanting for food or clothing and a…
- Star of depletion and injury
- Star of depletion and injury (Tian Shang, 天伤), fixed at the position before the Friends palace, governing loss of money, depletion, and accidental harm. Hemming Health and Travel t…
- Star of the messenger of illness
- Star of the messenger of illness (Tian Shi, 天使), fixed at the Health palace, governing illness, calamity, and sudden mishap. Hemmed with Tian Shang, when met in a limit cycle that …
- Star of illness
- Star of illness (Tian Yue, 天月), governing chronic illness, frailty, languor, and low stamina. In Life or Health it often means susceptibility and low spirits; auspicious stars redu…
- Star of virtue and resolution
- Star of virtue and resolution (Tian De, 天德), governing heavenly protection, a charitable nature, and turning misfortune to fortune. It dissolves part of malefic force; in Life or W…
- Star of virtue and charity
- Star of virtue and charity (Yue De, 月德), governing good affinities, resolution, and harmonious relations. Akin to Tian De, it dissolves calamity and adds blessing; in Life, Body, o…
- Star of relief
- Star of relief (Nian Jie, 年解), governing resolution, averting disaster, and turning misfortune to fortune. It lessens the malice of malefics or Hua Ji in the same or facing palace;…
- Star of fragmentation
- Star of fragmentation (Po Sui, 破碎), governing ruin, trivial losses, and matters left incomplete. In Life or Wealth it often means money trickling away and plans sprouting complicat…
- Star of void and depletion
- Star of void and depletion (Kong Wang, 空亡), governing ideals coming to nothing, matters hard to complete, and money in and out. Affairs of its palace tend toward emptiness, so be p…
- Star of blockage
- Star of blockage (Jie Lu, 截路, a form of the void), governing stagnation, interruption, and giving up halfway. Affairs of its palace are easily snagged and slowed; met in a limit cy…
- Star of solitude and strife
- Star of solitude and strife (Fei Lian, 蜚廉, same as 飞廉), governing gossip, petty people, isolation, and hidden resistance. In Life or Body it often means interpersonal disputes and …
The twelve palaces
- 命宫
- The innate foundation that governs the whole chart. It rules character, constitution, life orientation, and the keynote of destiny; the star combination here is the starting point …
- 兄弟宫
- Governs siblings, peers, collaborators, and lateral interpersonal relationships.
- 夫妻宫
- Governs spouse, marriage, romantic partners, and affinity with the opposite sex.
- 子女宫
- Governs offspring, juniors, students, creative output, and one facet of romance.
- 财帛宫
- Governs earning ability, money management style, cash flow, and values.
- 疾厄宫
- Governs health, constitution, propensity to illness or mishap, and emotional stress.
- 迁移宫
- Governs going out, travel, changes of environment, and how the outside world rates you.
- 交友宫
- Governs friends, colleagues, subordinates, and one’s social circle (the Servants Palace).
- 官禄宫
- Governs career, work, social achievement, and professional direction.
- 田宅宫
- Governs real estate, the home, family, and living environment.
- 福德宫
- Governs the inner life, hobbies, blessings, and one’s inner world.
- 父母宫
- Governs parents, elders, superiors, documents and contracts, and the source of reputation.
The four transformations
- Hua Lu
- Hua Lu (化禄, Transforming Wealth) governs income, smoothness, and gain; the affairs ruled by its star readily yield benefit.
- Hua Quan
- Hua Quan (化权, Transforming Power) governs authority, leadership, and winning competition; the affairs of its star are largely under control.
- Hua Ke
- Hua Ke (化科, Transforming Fame) governs reputation, exams, benefactors, and documents; favorable for fame and testing.
- Hua Ji
- Hua Ji (化忌, Transforming Adversity) governs obstruction, deficit, and fixation; the affairs of its star tend to go awry—the transformation to treat with most caution.