The Encyclopedia
The 14 Stars, across the 12 Palaces
Zi Wei Dou Shu紫微斗数 'Purple Star Astrology' — a 1,000-year-old Chinese system that maps your destiny across 12 life palaces based on your exact birth moment. reads a life through its 14 main stars, each landing in one of twelve life palaces. The star is who you are; the palace is where it plays out. Start with a star to meet its character, then follow it into any palace — Marriage, Career, Wealth and the rest — for what it means there.
Purple Star editorial · Reviewed
Start here
The system explained, before the parts.
Purple Star astrology, explained: where the system comes from, how a chart is built from your birth moment, and what the 14 stars and 12 palaces are for.
How we compute your chartTrue solar time, daylight saving, the Zi hour, leap months, an unknown birth hour, twins — what the engine does with each, and what it does not, stated plainly.
Saju and BaZi: the same four pillarsSaju (사주) is the Korean name and practice of the Four Pillars that BaZi (八字) writes in Chinese — the same eight characters, one chart. Cast yours and check the arithmetic.
The fourteen major stars
Zǐ Wēi
The pole star of the whole system — the sovereign who leads by dignity.
Tiān Jī
The mind in motion — quick, adaptable, endlessly planning.
Tài Yáng
The giver of light — generous, visible, driven to contribute in public.
Wǔ Qū
The star of steel and wealth — decisive, disciplined, resource-wise.
Tiān Tóng
The child-hearted star of blessing — gentle, likeable, good at living well.
Lián Zhēn
The most complex star — official and rebel, magnetic and intense.
Tiān Fǔ
The vault of heaven — steady, capable, a keeper and grower of assets.
Tài Yīn
Quiet radiance, deep waters — perceptive, refined, a wealth star of home.
Tān Láng
The star of desire — versatile, socially gifted, hungry for experience.
Jù Mén
The great gate of speech — questioning, persuasive, weighty with words.
Tiān Xiàng
The seal-bearer — fair, service-minded, trusted with responsibility.
Tiān Liáng
The elder star — protective, principled, wise beyond its years.
Qī Shā
The vanguard blade — decisive, all-in, sharpened by risk.
Pò Jūn
The wave that breaks the old shore — built for transformation.
The twelve palaces
Every chart divides life into these twelve domains. Each of the stars above can sit in any one of them — and reads differently in each.
Your core self — character, potential, life direction
Siblings, close peers, business partners
Romance, spouse, intimate partnerships
Children, creativity, what you nurture
Money, earning style, financial fortune
Health, constitution, hidden troubles
The outside world — relocation, opportunities abroad, how others receive you
Friends, networks, subordinates
Career, ambition, public achievement
Home, real estate, family assets
Inner life — happiness, mindset, blessings
Parents, elders, mentors and authority
Every star, in every palace
The full grid — 168 readings. Pick a row (a star) and a column (a palace) to jump straight to that combination.
Curious which stars are in your palaces?
Cast your own chart free — enter your birth date and see exactly which of these fourteen stars fall where, and what your reading says.
Cast your chart →