Siblings Palace in Zi Wei Dou Shu: Meaning and Main Stars

What the Siblings Palace means

At its most direct, the Siblings Palace is about your siblings: their personalities, how close you are, and whether you can help each other through life. Tradition also used it to count siblings, but with family structures so different today, that has limited value.

A more useful way to see it is as the way you relate to peers: the role you play among classmates, colleagues and partners, and how smoothly you work with people at your own level. People thinking of starting a business with a partner often look closely at the Siblings and Friends Palaces.

The Siblings Palace is also called an extension of the money vault. Traditionally it is linked to cash flow and can be read together with the Wealth and Property Palaces.

How to read it: the three-sided square

The three-sided square (三方四正) of the Siblings Palace is the Siblings Palace itself, the Friends Palace opposite it, and the Health and Property Palaces in the trine positions. The Siblings and Friends Palaces are an inner and an outer pair, one for peers close to you and one for friends out in the world, and they should be read together.

When the main star is steady (such as Tian Fu, Tian Xiang or Tian Liang), siblings and peers mostly look out for one another. When the main star is changeable (such as Po Jun or Qi Sha), you are more independent and go your own ways, which does not mean you are not close.

A common misunderstanding

Malefic stars or Hua Ji (化忌, the area you care about most) in the Siblings Palace are often read as "siblings who don't get along." A more accurate reading is that you put a lot of energy into these relationships, or your outlooks differ widely, so you need more communication and a sensible distance. It is not fated conflict.

The fourteen main stars in the Siblings Palace

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

Zi Wei

Traditionally, Zi Wei in the Siblings Palace suggests capable, strong-minded siblings or peers; you back each other up when you respect each other's limits, but talk past each other when everyone wants to be in charge.

Tian Ji

Traditionally, Tian Ji in the Siblings Palace suggests lively exchange and plenty of ideas among siblings and peers, with ties that shift as circumstances change; talk things over, but don't decide for each other.

Tai Yang

Traditionally, Tai Yang in the Siblings Palace suggests warm-hearted siblings or peers who look after others, with you often the one giving; do what you can without wearing yourself out.

Wu Qu

Traditionally, Wu Qu in the Siblings Palace suggests practical, direct peers who value efficiency; where money changes hands, set the rules first and the relationship becomes steadier.

Tian Tong

Traditionally, Tian Tong in the Siblings Palace suggests easygoing, low-conflict ties with siblings and peers; you look out for each other, but may also let problems drift together.

Lian Zhen

Traditionally, Lian Zhen in the Siblings Palace suggests deep feelings among peers along with some rivalry; clear boundaries and a clear division of roles can turn competition into mutual motivation.

Tian Fu

Traditionally, Tian Fu in the Siblings Palace suggests steady, reliable siblings or peers who support one another, with you often the one in the family who looks after everyone.

Tai Yin

Traditionally, Tai Yin in the Siblings Palace suggests sensitive, considerate ties among peers, with extra weight often placed on sisters or female peers; saying things plainly cuts down on misunderstandings.

Tan Lang

Traditionally, Tan Lang in the Siblings Palace suggests lively, sociable peers who bring each other plenty of opportunities; when everyone is busy, contact can come and go.

Ju Men

Traditionally, Ju Men in the Siblings Palace suggests lots of talk and opinions among peers, where a single remark can start an argument; stick to the issue and leave old grievances alone, and things settle down.

Tian Xiang

Traditionally, Tian Xiang in the Siblings Palace suggests peers who value fairness and harmony, with you often in the middle as mediator; look after yourself as well as others.

Tian Liang

Traditionally, Tian Liang in the Siblings Palace suggests siblings or peers who look out for each other, with you often the one reminding and caring; don't let concern turn into managing too much.

Qi Sha

Traditionally, Qi Sha in the Siblings Palace suggests strong-willed peers who each make their own way; direct talk and not meddling keep things on good terms.

Po Jun

Traditionally, Po Jun in the Siblings Palace suggests ups and downs with siblings and peers, who come together and drift apart quickly; going your own ways and helping now and then is the most comfortable distance.

Minor stars worth watching in the Siblings 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

Siblings and peers help each other out. You do well working alongside people of your own generation.

Tian Kui and Tian Yue

Helpful people tend to turn up among your peers, and someone gives you a hand when things get hard.

Di Kong and Di Jie

Money that passes between you and friends or family is easily lost. Be especially careful with loans and partnerships.

When the Siblings Palace has no main star

With no main star, the Siblings Palace is read through the main stars of the opposite palace, the Friends Palace. It means your relationships with siblings and peers are shaped more by outside circumstances and are more flexible, and you may even be closer to friends than to your siblings.

The Four Transformations in the Siblings Palace

Hua Lu

Warm ties with siblings and peers. You are willing to help each other, and working together tends to pay off.

Hua Quan

There is a strong, capable person among your siblings or peers. You may compete with each other, or back each other up.

Hua Ke

Calm, reasonable relationships with siblings and peers. When something comes up, you can talk it through rationally.

Hua Ji

You give more to siblings and peers and worry about them more. Also watch money that passes between you and friends or family.

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

A ten-year period in the Siblings Palace

If your ten-year periods (大限) run backward, the second one lands in the Siblings Palace, roughly in your teens; if they run forward, you reach it only much later in life. In this decade, people of your own generation matter most: classmates, colleagues and business partners have more influence, and you may have more dealings with your siblings, including money. It is a good time to learn to cooperate, but spell out the rules before any loan or partnership.

Making the most of your Siblings Palace

Working with your Siblings Palace comes down to support with boundaries. With siblings and peers, respect each other's lives and decisions. When money is involved, agree up front on how much is lent, when it is paid back and how a partnership splits things. That beats hurt feelings later. If your Siblings Palace is strong, look for chances to work with peers and help each other succeed.

Frequently asked questions