Zi Wei Dou Shu Pattern Dictionary
All 65 patterns explained one by one: how each forms, the classical verse behind it, what it actually means in plain language, readings for career, wealth and relationships, and the conditions that break it.
🧩 What Is a Pattern?
A single star tells you about temperament. Structure only emerges when you read stars in relation to each other — their positions, brightness, transformations, and the benefics and malefics around them. Combinations that recur often enough to earn their own names are what practitioners call patterns: Zi Fu Tong Gong, Jun Chen Qing Hui, Huo Tan, Xing Ji Jia Yin each carry a fixed meaning whenever they appear.
Patterns are the layer where Zi Wei Dou Shu moves from naming stars to reading a life. They compress scattered signals into one judgeable conclusion. Hence the three steps of chart reading: first the palace (which domain of life), then the star (its temperament), and finally the pattern (the caliber of the structure).
🔍 How to Tell Whether a Pattern Actually Forms
Classical formation conditions are terse. On a real chart, check these four things — skip one and you will misjudge the pattern:
- 1Check star and palace position
Most patterns demand specific earthly-branch positions. Qi Sha Chao Dou requires Yin, Shen, Zi or Wu; Ji Xiang Li Ming requires the Wu palace. Wrong position, no pattern.
- 2Check brightness
The same combination can be a triumph in temple and a defeat when fallen. Ri Yue Bing Ming requires both luminaries in strong positions — Ri Yue Fan Bei is the same pair with both fallen.
- 3Check benefics, malefics and transformations
Benefics let a pattern land; malefics discount it. Lu Cun and Hua Lu are the crucial ingredient: Zi Fu Tong Gong without wealth stars is an empty treasury, and Shuang Lu Chao Yuan meeting the Void stars becomes Lu Feng Chong Po.
- 4Check flanking structure
Cai Yin Jia Yin and Xing Ji Jia Yin differ only in whether the two immediately adjacent palaces hold wealth or obstruction. Read the neighbours carefully — and only immediate neighbours count.
📚 Every Pattern, Explained
Grouped by nature. Open any entry for its formation conditions, classical source, full explanation and topic-by-topic readings.
Auspicious
39 entriesStructures pointing to wealth, status, talent and support — genuine only when benefics and transformations activate them.
Zi Wei and Tian Fu, two great stars, share a single palace at the Life Palace — emperor and treasury side by side, presence and resources in the same hand. One of the celebrated grand patterns of Zi Wei Dou Shu.
Zi Wei in the Life Palace with Zuo Fu and You Bi both present in the trinity and at least one more of the Six Auspicious Stars saluting — a sovereign who has drawn worthy ministers. The pattern Zi Wei likes best.
Zi Wei in the Life Palace with all three pairs of the six lucky stars in attendance — a hundred officials at morning audience. Vast in structure and equal to great responsibility, the counterpart of Jun Chen Qing Hui.
Tian Fu the storehouse and Tian Xiang the seal salute the Life Palace from the trinity structure — a life of ample provision and steady patronage, the classic pattern of solid, unhurried fortune.
Tian Fu in temple saluting the Life Palace and meeting Lu Cun or Hua Lu — the treasury has its key. A life of plenty and stability, gifted at consolidating and at enjoying what is already there.
Zi Wei alone in the Wu branch at the Life Palace — the emperor star arrives at the place of light. Free of malefics it marks great distinction, and the classics rank it at the top.
Qi Sha in the Yin, Shen, Zi, or Wu branch at the Life Palace, meeting Zi Wei and Tian Fu — the general star salutes the Dipper. Commanding authority and great achievement: the first pattern of martial distinction.
Lian Zhen in temple in the Yin or Shen branch at the Life Palace — the hero star come home. Capable, effective, and powerful inside a system: Lian Zhen's finest pattern.
Tan Lang together with Huo Xing, or meeting it across the chart — appetite meets fire and the detonation is spectacular. Sudden windfalls and abrupt ascents: the famous pattern of the fast fortune.
Tan Lang with Ling Xing in the same palace or meeting it — a slow, smothered fire that burns a long time before it breaks out. Twin to Huo Tan (Fire-Greed), but deeper-rooted and easier to keep.
Tai Yang and Tian Liang meeting Wen Chang and Lu Cun (or Hua Lu) — the classical examination pattern. Best for tests, credentials, and professional qualifications; the money arrives on the back of the name.
An empty Life Palace in the Wei branch with the sun at Mao and the moon at Hai saluting from either side — a bright pearl lifted out of the sea. Hard early and luminous later: a pattern of late but genuine distinction.
Tai Yang and Tai Yin both in temple saluting the Life Palace — day and night lit at once. Standing and wealth together, reputation and profit advancing side by side: the finest of the sun-and-moon patterns.
Tai Yang in the Mao branch at the Life Palace — the rising sun over the Thunder Gate. Early success and a name that carries: the most vigorous of Tai Yang's patterns.
Tai Yang in the Wu branch at the Life Palace — the sun at the top of the sky, at maximum blaze. A resounding name and unmistakable distinction; daytime births make the grand version.
Tai Yang in temple at the Life Palace meeting Hua Lu or Lu Cun — the golden crow carrying salary. Name and profit shine together, a rare thing in Tai Yang's family of patterns.
Tai Yin in the Hai branch at the Life Palace — the moon bright at the Gate of Heaven, at its proper station. Wealth with a clean name, still water running deep: Tai Yin's finest pattern.
Tai Yin with Tian Tong in the Zi branch holding the Life Palace — the moon rising over the sea. Clean, ample wealth and a flourishing household: the elegant strain among the wealth patterns.
Ju Men in the Zi or Wu branch at the Life Palace — the dark star in its proper place, jade still inside the rock. A late and substantial arrival carved out by eloquence and expertise: Ju Men's finest pattern.
Ju Men and Tai Yang together in the Yin branch at the Life Palace — the dark star lit by the sun. A name made by speaking and distinction by an unconventional route, strong for cross-border and public-facing work.
Tian Ji, Tai Yin, Tian Tong, and Tian Liang all meeting in the trinity structure of the Life Palace — the classic set for making a career in officialdom or a large institution.
Tian Ji and Tian Liang sharing the Chen or Xu palace at the Life Palace — the strategist star meeting the star of shelter. Formidable at strategy and at talking it through: the classic pattern of the adviser.
Ju Men and Tian Ji together in the Mao branch at the Life Palace — the dark star meeting the strategist on strong ground. Formidable in argument and distinguished by wit; the classics promised ministerial rank.
Hua Lu, Hua Quan, and Hua Ke all meeting in the trinity structure of the Life Palace — money, authority, and name firing at once. The finest pattern in the Four Transformations.
Lu Cun and Hua Lu saluting the Life Palace from the trinity structure — twin salaries meeting. Two sources of money and a life of plenty: the orthodox grand pattern among the wealth structures.
Lu Cun or Hua Lu meeting Tian Ma across the trinity of the Life Palace — salary and horse at full gallop. Money made in motion and profit found far from home: the wealth pattern of those who prosper by moving.
Lu in the Life Palace and a second Lu hidden in its allied palace — open salary and hidden salary supporting each other. Visible income plus a quieter second stream: fortune that never quite runs out.
Zuo Fu and You Bi together at the Life Palace, or flanking and saluting it — double support arriving at once. A lifetime of patronage and a natural place at the center: the strongest of the supportive patterns.
Zi Wei at the Life Palace with Zuo Fu and You Bi in the two adjacent palaces — two ministers guarding the sovereign. An exceptionally solid base with someone always underneath: the stable branch of the emperor patterns.
Tian Kui and Tian Yue, one at the Life Palace and one opposite — seated in nobility and facing it. Rescue in every crisis and introductions at every turn: the signature pattern of patronage.
Wen Chang and Wen Qu in the two palaces adjacent to the Life Palace — the literary stars standing guard. Unusual intelligence and a refined manner, strong for study and literary reputation.
Wen Chang and Wen Qu saluting the Life Palace from the trinity structure, or seated in it together — the literary stars in attendance. Broad learning, many gifts, and an early literary name.
Hua Ke at the Life Palace with Hua Quan and Hua Lu meeting from the trinity structure — the name leads and power and money follow. Winning at examinations and entering a career through credentials.
Wu Qu in temple guarding the Life Palace — the general star on good ground. Decisive and unyielding, building a career on execution, carrying both the purse and the seal of command.
Wu Qu and Tan Lang together in the Chou or Wei palace at the Life Palace — the wealth star marching with the star of appetite. Poor first and rich later, with the break coming after thirty: the famous late-fortune pattern.
Tian Liang in the Wu branch at the Life Palace — the star of longevity in temple, shelter and virtue both complete. Danger turning to safety, a clean reputation, long years: Tian Liang's truest pattern.
Po Jun in the Zi or Wu branch at the Life Palace — the valiant star in temple, its destructive force wholly converted into creation. Breaking first and building after: the great pattern of self-made enterprise.
Tian Xiang flanked by Hua Lu on one side and Tian Liang on the other — wealth and shelter flanking the seal. A smooth ascent and authority conferred by trust.
Tai Yang and Tai Yin in temple meeting at the Property Palace — sun and moon lighting the wall. A flourishing family estate and luminous holdings: the celebrated wealth pattern of property.
Inauspicious
22 entriesStructures pointing to loss, friction, disputes and obstruction — most can be softened through awareness and behaviour.
Zi Wei at the Life Palace with neither Zuo Fu nor You Bi in the trinity structure — an emperor with no ministers to deploy. Great ambition and scant support: proud, self-reliant, doing everything personally.
Zi Wei and Tan Lang sharing the Mao or You palace at the Life Palace — the emperor star meeting appetite at the border of day and night. Artistic and romantic, easily pulled off course; a broken pattern in the classics that deserves a careful modern reading.
Tai Yang and Tai Yin both fallen, meeting the Life Palace — sun and moon reversed, both light sources weak. A laborious youth and thin family ties; the fortune opens by leaving home.
Tian Liang sharing a palace with Tian Ma on weak ground — the star of shelter meeting the star of motion. A drifting image: much travel, little to show.
Lian Zhen fallen with Qi Sha saluting from the trinity structure — the confinement star meeting the general star on bad ground. Fierce temper and real exposure, with litigation and disputes to guard against.
Lian Zhen and Tan Lang together in the Si or Hai palace at the Life Palace — two romance stars fallen at once. Turbulent affections and a drifting course; the answer is professional discipline.
Tian Xiang flanked by Qing Yang on one side and Hua Ji on the other — blade and obstruction pressing the seal. Responsibility without authority and blame taken for others: the famous adverse flanking pattern.
The palace holding Hua Ji flanked by Qing Yang and Tuo Luo — the obstruction star under punishment. A knot that will not loosen, with no way forward and no way back.
The Life Palace flanked by Huo Xing and Ling Xing — two fires pressing in. Haste inviting trouble, and sudden upheavals to guard against.
The Life Palace flanked by Di Kong and Di Jie — much effort and little return, money in and money out. Build a life on craft and on ideas.
The Life Palace flanked by Qing Yang and Tuo Luo — open rivalry and hidden attack on both sides. A life of competition and friction, to be met with genuine ability.
No major star occupies the Life Palace, so the chart borrows the opposing palace. A malleable character and enormous flexibility, with thin foundations early on.
The Life Palace holding Di Kong or Di Jie — detachment of mind and indifference to possessions. Build a life on work of the spirit.
Ling Xing, Wen Chang, Tuo Luo, and Wu Qu meeting in a cycle — the famous adverse decade of the classics. Accidents and errors of judgment to guard against.
Tan Lang in the water branches of Hai or Zi meeting the romance stars — blossom drifting on water. Affections that spread too widely; the answer is discipline and focus.
Tan Lang with Tuo Luo in the Yin palace — the rod of romance. Trouble and setbacks brought on by attraction: the textbook broken romance pattern.
Ju Men at the Life Palace with Qing Yang, Tuo Luo, Huo Xing, and Ling Xing all arriving — the dark star provoked. Disputes that will not let go; speak with care.
Wu Qu meeting Lian Zhen under malefics and Hua Ji — the wealth star and the confinement star striking sparks. Litigation over money and constricted cash flow to guard against.
Lu Cun breached by a Void star in the same palace — the salary breached. Money comes in and will not stay.
Tian Ma sharing a palace with Di Kong or Di Jie — a horse running on empty. Motion without result; decide first, then move.
Zi Wei conjunct Tan Lang — blossom offending the emperor. The emperor star loses its authority to appetite: pleasure at the cost of the pattern.
Qi Sha conjunct or meeting Qing Yang and Ling Xing — the general star carrying malefics. Fierce and easily hurt, with accidents to guard against; discipline is what steers the courage.
Structural
4 entriesFixed structures that are neither good nor bad in themselves; their caliber depends entirely on what meets them.
Qi Sha, Po Jun, and Tan Lang permanently forming a trine — the axis of change in every chart. A life of swells and reversals, achieving by changing.
Tian Ji conjunct or facing Ju Men — the strategist star meeting the dark star. Formidable in argument and given to overthinking; expertise is what settles the talk.
The Life Palace in the Wu branch with Qing Yang conjunct — a blade at the horse's head. A malefic in position becomes a fine weapon: fighting spirit roused, distinction won at the frontier.
The Life Palace flanked by Tai Yang and Tai Yin — two lights guarding the palace. Patrons in abundance and capable parents: the favorable member of the flanking patterns.
💬 FAQ
No. A pattern sets the structure and the ceiling; whether it pays out depends on two things — whether the formation conditions are complete (missing wealth stars, fallen brightness or malefics all discount it), and whether your decade and annual cycles reach a point that activates it. A fine pattern whose timing has not arrived usually pays late; a fine pattern with no effort behind it stays on paper.
No. These mark risk structures, not verdicts. Yang Tuo Jia Ji says do not force a way through — go around. Ling Chang Tuo Wu says slow down major decisions and ask more questions. Kong Jie Jia Ming says turn cash into assets and skills. Nearly every difficult pattern has a concrete behavioural remedy, which is exactly what the "When It Breaks" section of each entry is for.
Because patterns are about conditions. Sun and Moon both bright is the prosperity of Ri Yue Bing Ming; both fallen is the toil of Ri Yue Fan Bei. Tian Xiang flanked by wealth and Tian Liang is Cai Yin Jia Yin; flanked by the Blade and Obstruction it is Xing Ji Jia Yin. Same stars, one changed condition, opposite conclusion — which is precisely why every condition has to be checked.
Usually several at once, favourable and unfavourable together. Do not cherry-pick the flattering ones. Look for the pattern sitting in the Life Palace trinity and most strongly activated by the transformations — that one governs the structure of the life; the rest are supporting or phase-specific.
Our verses and judgements are compiled from standard texts, chiefly The Complete Book of Zi Wei Dou Shu, and each entry cites its source where one exists. Where no reliable classical verse could be confirmed, the source field is left empty and only the plain-language explanation is given — we do not invent citations.
Now chart your own and see which patterns you carry
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