Zi (23:00 – 00:59)
Chou (01:00 – 02:59)
Yin (03:00 – 04:59)
Mao (05:00 – 06:59)
Chen (07:00 – 08:59)
Si (09:00 – 10:59)
Wu (11:00 – 12:59)
Wei (13:00 – 14:59)
Shen (15:00 – 16:59)
You (17:00 – 18:59)
Xu (19:00 – 20:59)
Hai (21:00 – 22:59)
Life Palace (Ming Gong):
Body Palace (Shen Gong):
Understanding the Life Palace in Zi Wei Dou Shu
In the ancient Chinese metaphysical system of Zi Wei Dou Shu (Purple Star Astrology), the 12-palace chart maps out an individual's destiny. Among these, the Life Palace (Ming Gong 命宮) is the most critical. It acts as the core of the chart, representing your fundamental personality, innate talents, physical appearance, and the overall "essence" of your life's path.
While the Life Palace shows your DNA and early life foundation, the Body Palace (Shen Gong 身宮) represents your post-natal development, mid-life shifts, and the "destiny after effort." It often indicates where you will focus your energy as you mature (usually after age 30-35).
Calculation Example:
If you were born in the 3rd Lunar Month (Chen) during the Yin Hour (03:00-04:59):
1. We start at position 'Chen' for the Life Palace and count counter-clockwise by the hour.
2. For the Body Palace, we start at 'Chen' and count clockwise by the hour. Result: Life Palace is 寅 (Yin) and Body Palace is 申 (Shen).
The Logic Behind the Calculation
The positioning of the Life and Body palaces depends entirely on two variables: your Lunar Birth Month and your Earthly Branch Birth Hour. The zodiac wheel in Zi Wei Dou Shu is fixed, with 'Yin' (Tiger) always occupying the 1st position in this specific counting method.
Life Palace Formula: Start from the position of your birth month on the grid and move counter-clockwise by the number of your birth hour.
Body Palace Formula: Start from the position of your birth month on the grid and move clockwise by the number of your birth hour.
Significance of the 12 Branches
The result will always land on one of the 12 Earthly Branches: Zi (Rat), Chou (Ox), Yin (Tiger), Mao (Rabbit), Chen (Dragon), Si (Snake), Wu (Horse), Wei (Goat), Shen (Monkey), You (Rooster), Xu (Dog), or Hai (Pig). Each branch carries elemental properties (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) that further color the characteristics of your Life Palace.
function calculatePalaces() {
var month = parseInt(document.getElementById('lunarMonth').value);
var hour = parseInt(document.getElementById('birthHour').value);
// Grid mapping: 1=Yin, 2=Mao, 3=Chen, 4=Si, 5=Wu, 6=Wei, 7=Shen, 8=You, 9=Xu, 10=Hai, 11=Zi, 12=Chou
var branches = [
"Chou (Ox)", "Yin (Tiger)", "Mao (Rabbit)", "Chen (Dragon)", "Si (Snake)",
"Wu (Horse)", "Wei (Goat)", "Shen (Monkey)", "You (Rooster)", "Xu (Dog)",
"Hai (Pig)", "Zi (Rat)"
];
// In our logic: 1=Yin, 2=Mao… 12=Chou
// The array index for Yin (1) is 1.
// The array index for Chou (12) is 0.
var branchNames = {
1: "Yin (Tiger)",
2: "Mao (Rabbit)",
3: "Chen (Dragon)",
4: "Si (Snake)",
5: "Wu (Horse)",
6: "Wei (Goat)",
7: "Shen (Monkey)",
8: "You (Rooster)",
9: "Xu (Dog)",
10: "Hai (Pig)",
11: "Zi (Rat)",
12: "Chou (Ox)"
};
// Life Palace Calculation: (Month – Hour + 1)
// If result <= 0, add 12.
var lifePos = month – (hour – 1);
while (lifePos 12) {
lifePos -= 12;
}
// Body Palace Calculation: (Month + Hour – 1)
// If result > 12, subtract 12.
var bodyPos = month + (hour – 1);
while (bodyPos > 12) {
bodyPos -= 12;
}
while (bodyPos <= 0) {
bodyPos += 12;
}
var lifeName = branchNames[lifePos];
var bodyName = branchNames[bodyPos];
document.getElementById('lifePalaceResult').innerText = lifeName;
document.getElementById('bodyPalaceResult').innerText = bodyName;
var infoText = "Note: In Zi Wei Dou Shu, the positions are calculated based on the Earthly Branches on a fixed circular chart. These placements define your core identity and physical presence.";
document.getElementById('additionalInfo').innerText = infoText;
document.getElementById('zwds-result').style.display = 'block';
}