The Body Palace, or Shēn Gōng (身宫), is the 13th Palace in the Zi Wei Dou Shu chart. The character “身” means “body,” and this palace reflects the physical self and how one expresses their inner essence outwardly. Its position is determined by the location of the Life Palace (命宫, Mìng Gōng).
While the Life Palace represents the pre-heaven aspect (先天, innate traits and destiny), the Body Palace represents the post-heaven aspect (后天, Hòu Tiān), meaning it reflects how these traits play out and evolve over time through experience.
A helpful analogy is to compare a person to a smartphone:
- The Life Palace is like the hardware — the built-in capabilities such as Bluetooth, MP3 player, or camera.
- The Body Palace is like the software — the apps, ringtones, wallpapers, and contact list that shape how the device is actually used.
In general, the Life Palace governs early life (typically up to age 35), while the Body Palace influences the later stages of life. For example, if the Life Palace is strong but the Body Palace is weak, the person might enjoy a smooth early life but encounter greater challenges later on.
Moreover, the placement of the Body Palace reveals a person’s direction or focus in life:
- Body Palace in Life Palace (命宫):
The person is self-driven and rarely swayed by external influences. - Body Palace in Marriage Palace (夫妻宫):
The person is emotionally invested in relationships and heavily influenced by their partner and family life. - Body Palace in Wealth Palace (财帛宫):
The person is highly motivated by financial success; money tends to shape their happiness and life direction. - Body Palace in Travel/Movement Palace (迁移宫):
The person is adaptable and thrives in changing environments or circumstances. - Body Palace in Career Palace (官禄宫):
The person is career-oriented and seeks recognition, achievement, and social status. - Body Palace in Fortune/Virtue Palace (福德宫):
The person values quality of life and personal enjoyment, but may lack the ambition or flexibility to aggressively pursue success.
🕰 How to Determine the 13th Palace Based on Birth Time:
| Birth Time Range (24h) | 身宫 is in… |
|---|---|
| 23:00–01:00 or 11:00–13:00 | Life (Self) Palace – 命宫 |
| 01:00–03:00 or 13:00–15:00 | Spiritual Fortune Palace – 福德宫 |
| 03:00–05:00 or 15:00–17:00 | Career Palace – 官禄宫 |
| 05:00–07:00 or 17:00–19:00 | Travel/Action Palace – 迁移宫 |
| 07:00–09:00 or 19:00–21:00 | Wealth Palace – 财帛宫 |
| 09:00–11:00 or 21:00–23:00 | Spouse Palace – 夫妻宫 |
🔮 General Meanings of 身宫 Location
1. Life Palace (命宫)
- Time: 23:00–01:00 / 11:00–13:00
- Traits: Self-assured, principled, and resistant to outside influence.
- Shadow Side: Can be stubborn, inflexible, and unyielding to advice.
2. Spiritual Fortune Palace (福德宫)
- Time: 01:00–03:00 / 13:00–15:00
- Traits: Values emotional and spiritual well-being, seeks inner peace and quality of life.
- Shadow Side: May lack drive for material success or adaptability.
3. Career Palace (官禄宫)
- Time: 03:00–05:00 / 15:00–17:00
- Traits: Career-focused, diligent, and may become a workaholic.
- Motivations Vary: Some work for status, others for passion or money—depending on stars inside.
4. Travel Palace (迁移宫)
- Time: 05:00–07:00 / 17:00–19:00
- Traits: Socially adaptable, image-conscious, and values how others perceive them.
- Shadow Side: Sensitive to pride, may struggle with external validation.
5. Wealth Palace (财帛宫)
- Time: 07:00–09:00 / 19:00–21:00
- Traits: Financially driven; money and material success are central life goals.
- Shadow Side: Emotional states can fluctuate with financial stability.
6. Spouse Palace (夫妻宫)
- Time: 09:00–11:00 / 21:00–23:00
- Traits: Emotionally invested in relationships, highly influenced by their spouse.
- Shadow Side: Prone to emotional dependency.
