Friends (Servants) Palace in Zi Wei Dou Shu: Meaning and Stars

What the Friends Palace means

The Friends Palace describes the kind of friends you make and how much they can help you. With Tian Liang in the Friends Palace, your friends often include older people who look after you; with Po Jun, your circle changes a lot, with people coming and going; with Tian Xiang, your friends tend to keep their word and know where the lines are.

At work, the Friends Palace also covers colleagues and staff: whether leading a team goes smoothly and whether you can find reliable partners. People in sales, management and networking often pay special attention to this palace.

How to read it: the three-sided square

The three-sided square (三方四正) of the Friends Palace is the Friends Palace itself, the Siblings Palace opposite it, and the Parents and Children Palaces in the trine positions. The Siblings Palace covers peers close to you and the Friends Palace covers friends out in the world; together they make up your whole circle of peers.

The Parents Palace stands for bosses and elders, and the Children Palace for younger people and staff, so the Friends Palace's three-sided square is really your entire network: above you, below you and at your level.

Why it is called the Servants Palace

Society in old China had household servants and subordinates, so this palace was originally called the Servants Palace. Most modern practitioners call it the Friends Palace or the Pu Yi Palace, and the focus has shifted from whether servants were useful to networks and teamwork. On this site's charts it always appears as the Friends Palace.

The fourteen main stars in the Friends Palace

Which main star sits in the Friends Palace changes how it plays out. Here is what each of the fourteen main stars means in the Friends Palace; tap a star for its full guide.

Zi Wei

Traditionally, Zi Wei in the Friends Palace suggests capable friends with standing, who often push you into the lead; when choosing whom to work with, character matters more than reputation.

Tian Ji

Traditionally, Tian Ji in the Friends Palace suggests a wide circle and plenty of information, with friends often sparking ideas; ties also change quickly, so spell out the terms of any important collaboration.

Tai Yang

Traditionally, Tai Yang in the Friends Palace suggests popularity, many friends and a readiness to help; when you give a lot, separate what is friendship from what is obligation.

Wu Qu

Traditionally, Wu Qu in the Friends Palace suggests practical, capable friends who are good to work with; keep friendship and business separate so money doesn't strain the bond.

Tian Tong

Traditionally, Tian Tong in the Friends Palace suggests easygoing friends who enjoy life with you; when something needs a push, you may have to be the one to push it.

Lian Zhen

Traditionally, Lian Zhen in the Friends Palace suggests principled, loyal friendships where a good fit matters more than numbers; before working together, agree on each other's rules and limits.

Tian Fu

Traditionally, Tian Fu in the Friends Palace suggests steady, well-resourced friends and long-term mutual help; your network grows best slowly and steadily over time.

Tai Yin

Traditionally, Tai Yin in the Friends Palace suggests gentle, attentive friends and ties built on feeling; a small circle suits you better than a big social scene.

Tan Lang

Traditionally, Tan Lang in the Friends Palace suggests a wide, active social life and many opportunities through friends; in a crowd, remember to tell who your true friends are.

Ju Men

Traditionally, Ju Men in the Friends Palace suggests deep conversations with friends but also room for gossip and disputes; settle important matters face to face before misunderstandings grow.

Tian Xiang

Traditionally, Tian Xiang in the Friends Palace suggests reasonable, trustworthy friends and fair, stable partnerships; you suit the role of coordinator within a team.

Tian Liang

Traditionally, Tian Liang in the Friends Palace suggests older, experienced friends and helpful guidance from mentors; you are also glad to be someone else's adviser.

Qi Sha

Traditionally, Qi Sha in the Friends Palace suggests bold friends who get things done and partnerships full of drive; when you disagree, put it on the table early.

Po Jun

Traditionally, Po Jun in the Friends Palace suggests a changing circle, with new friends arriving and old ones fading; check in regularly with key partners to make sure you are still headed the same way.

Minor stars worth watching in the Friends Palace

Besides the fourteen main stars, minor stars also shift how a palace plays out. Our chart lists them in every palace, so you can compare with your own chart.

Zuo Fu and You Bi

Many friends and a good team. When you lead or collaborate, reliable partners are easy to find.

Tian Kui and Tian Yue

Helpful people often appear among your friends, and your network brings real, practical support.

Di Kong and Di Jie

You give a lot to friends and get little back. Be especially careful about lending friends money or going into business together.

When the Friends Palace has no main star

With no main star, the Friends Palace is read through the main stars of the opposite palace, the Siblings Palace. It means your circle of friends forms more by chance and is easily shaped by your surroundings, and the line between friends and siblings or peers is blurrier.

The Four Transformations in the Friends Palace

Hua Lu

Well liked with many friends, and you often get help from friends and colleagues.

Hua Quan

Your friends or staff have strong views and real ability, and at times you may feel led along. Clear roles fix that.

Hua Ke

The friends you make have good taste and are reasonable, and your network brings you a good name.

Hua Ji

You give a lot to friends and are easily tied down by social obligations. Be especially careful with money between you and friends.

The Four Transformations: Hua Lu, Hua Quan, Hua Ke, Hua Ji

A ten-year period in the Friends Palace

When a ten-year period (大限) reaches the Friends Palace, people around you have more influence. You may lead a team, build a network or work in sales, or change direction because of friends or colleagues. With auspicious stars or Hua Lu here, the decade brings plenty of helpful people. With Hua Ji, social obligations can tie you down, so be especially careful with money between you and friends.

Making the most of your Friends Palace

Working with your Friends Palace comes down to choosing. A network is not about numbers but about mutual support. Spend your time on people who help you grow, and keep your distance from relationships that drain you. If you lead a team, use the Friends Palace to see what kind of partner you tend to attract, then add the types you are missing.

Frequently asked questions