Zi Wei Dou Shu Glossary

Short, standalone definitions for the terminology used throughout this site — linked from star and palace pages wherever the jargon appears.

Zi Wei Dou Shu 紫微斗數

Literally "Purple Star Numerology" — the Chinese destiny-calculation system covered by this entire site, built on 12 palaces and 14 major stars.

Purple Star Astrology

The standard English name for Zi Wei Dou Shu, named after its anchor star, Zi Wei (紫微).

Astrolabe 命盤

The technical term for the full 12-palace chart diagram — the complete visual layout of your Zi Wei Dou Shu reading.

Palace 宮

One of the 12 houses of the chart, each governing a specific life domain (e.g. Career Palace, Spouse Palace).

Life Palace 命宮

The palace anchoring your core personality and general life direction — the first palace read in any chart.

Body Palace 身宮

A secondary anchor palace (distinct from the Life Palace) that describes what you actively work on or develop over your lifetime.

Major Star 主星

One of the 14 primary stars (Zi Wei, Tian Ji, Tai Yang, etc.) that anchors the interpretation of whichever palace it occupies.

Minor Star 輔星

A secondary star that adds nuance or support to a palace's major star, without anchoring the interpretation on its own.

Brightness 廟旺利平陷

A strength rating (from miao/brightest to xian/dimmest) describing how fully a star expresses its nature in its current earthly-branch position.

Si Hua (Four Transformations) 四化

Four modifiers — Hua Lu, Hua Quan, Hua Ke, Hua Ji — that attach to specific stars based on your birth Year Stem, adding prosperity, power, status, or adversity themes.

Hua Lu 化祿

The Transformation of Prosperity — smooth flow, opportunity, and material gain.

Hua Quan 化權

The Transformation of Power — drive, authority, and decisiveness.

Hua Ke 化科

The Transformation of Status — recognition, reputation, and refinement.

Hua Ji 化忌

The Transformation of Adversity — obstacles or unfinished business, and traditionally the only challenging transformation.

Flying Stars 飛星

The technique of calculating a second set of transformations from a specific palace's heavenly stem, to see how that palace projects influence onto others.

Peach Blossom Stars 桃花星

A group of minor stars (including Hong Luan, Tian Xi, Xian Chi) associated with romance, charm, and social magnetism.

Six Killing Stars 六煞星

A group of six minor/major stars — including Qi Sha — traditionally read as bringing intensity, conflict, or higher-stakes energy wherever they land.