Overview
Constructing a Zi Wei Dou Shu (ZWDS) chart requires several steps before the chart can be fully interpreted.
First, a basic chart layout is prepared. This layout contains the fixed positions of the twelve animal signs. These positions do not change, regardless of birth data or interpretive system.
This article focuses on the Si Hua Flying Stars system, not the San He method. Si Hua refers to the Four Transformations: Hua Lu, Hua Quan, Hua Ke, and Hua Ji. The Si Hua Flying Stars system primarily uses:
- 14 major stars
- 4 assistance stars
- 4 transformation stars (Si Hua)
In addition, six unfavorable stars and two minor stars also influence the chart. These will be explained in a separate article.
Required Birth Information
After preparing the basic chart, the next step is to place the Heavenly Stems, stars, and transformations. To do this, the following information is required:
- Date of Birth (DOB)
- Time of Birth (TOB)
- Place of Birth (POB)
- Gender
Using this information, the chart is calculated, and the stars are placed accordingly.
Determining the Twelve Houses
The birth data determines which of the twelve palaces is assigned as the First House (Life House). The remaining houses then follow in sequence.
The twelve houses are arranged as follows:
- Life
- Siblings
- Spouse
- Children
- Wealth
- Health
- Travel
- Friends
- Career
- Property
- Mental
- Parents
Example Chart
For illustration, the following example uses fictional data:
- Name: Mr. Lufio
- Date of Birth: 5 December 1974
- Time of Birth: 7:30 a.m.
- Place of Birth: London, United Kingdom
- Gender: Male
After completing all calculations, the full Zi Wei Dou Shu chart is formed.
In the completed chart, one can observe:
- The arrangement of the twelve houses
- The placement of the 14 major stars
- The placement of the 4 assistance stars
- The placement of the 4 transformation stars (Si Hua)
In this example, the word “Body” appears in the Wealth House (House 5). Its meaning will be explained in a later article.
Further Study
Accurate chart construction requires a clear understanding of proper methods. Charts may be constructed manually using reference books or generated using online software.
For those who wish to study Zi Wei Dou Shu seriously, formal instruction is recommended. With sufficient practice, chart interpretation can become more systematic and, in some cases, more straightforward than Western astrology.