ABOUT
SAN HE VS SI HUA
As mentioned in the previous article, Zi Wei Dou Shu (ZWDS), or Purple Star Astrology, is a complex Chinese fortune-telling system with two main schools of thought: San He and Si Hua.
1. San He (三合) – “Three Harmonies”
Focuses on the fixed positions and natural qualities of stars in the 12 life palaces.
Looks at how 14 major stars and other stars affect areas like career, wealth, and relationships.
Uses tri-harmony formations (links between three palaces) to reveal how different life areas influence each other.
Considers palace overlays, comparing your life chart with time-based charts (like decade or yearly charts).
Emphasis: Your inherent blueprint and potential.
2. Si Hua (四化) – “Four Transformations”
Focuses on dynamic changes in the chart based on Heavenly Stems.
Four Transformations:
Hua Lu – Prosperity, wealth, opportunity.
Hua Quan – Power, authority, control.
Hua Ke – Fame, recognition, success.
Hua Ji – Problems, loss, obstacles.
Uses Flying Stars to track how energy moves between palaces over time.
Emphasis: Events, timing, and how life unfolds.
In practice: Many modern practitioners combine both—San He gives your life’s foundation, while Si Hua shows when and how things happen.
THE STARS
In Zi Wei Dou Shu, most “stars” are not real stars in the sky, except for the Emperor Star (Zi Wei), which is linked to Polaris. Instead, they represent cycles of time and different types of energy, personality traits, and life influences. These stars are grouped into several main categories.
There are three main star groups in Zi Wei Dou Shu:
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14 Major Stars – The main players that shape your core personality and life path. For example, the Emperor Star (Zi Wei) signals leadership, while the Sun (Tai Yang) relates to fame and public service.
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Auxiliary & Minor Stars – These add extra details. They can be auspicious (bringing help, wealth, or opportunities) or inauspicious (bringing delays, obstacles, or conflict).
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Four Transformers – Not actual stars, but changes over time that affect the others. They bring prosperity (Hua Lu), authority (Hua Quan), fame (Hua Ke), or trouble (Hua Ji).
Your chart’s meaning comes from how all these elements combine in different palaces (life areas), revealing strengths, weaknesses, and life patterns.
THE 14 MAJOR STARS
These are the key stars in Zi Wei Dou Shu, shaping a person’s core personality and life path.
1. Zi Wei (紫微) – The Emperor Star, linked to Polaris. Symbolizes leadership, authority, and prestige, but can also bring vanity or loneliness.
2. Tai Yang (太陽) – The Sun. Masculine energy, fame, and generosity; often a leader of men.
3. Tai Yin (太陰) – The Moon. Feminine energy, intuition, creativity, and wealth accumulation.
4. Tian Ji (天機) – Heavenly Secret. Intelligence, strategy, and quick thinking, but may lack persistence.
5. Wu Qu (武曲) – Finance Star. Wealth, decisiveness, and independence; strong business sense.
6. Tian Fu (天府) – Treasury Star. Stability, abundance, and resource preservation.
7. Tian Tong (天同) – Contentment Star. Good fortune, kindness, and an easygoing nature.
8. Lian Zhen (廉貞)
– Upright
Star. Virtue, discipline, and sometimes temptation or conflict.
9. Tan Lang (貪狼) – Flirting Star. Desire, ambition, risk-taking, and charm, but can be manipulative.
10. Ju Men (巨門) – Gloomy Star. Communication, debate, and controversy.
11. Tian Xiang (天相) – Minister Star. Support, loyalty, and benevolence; excels as a deputy.
12. Tian Liang (天梁) – Blessing Star. Wisdom, guidance, and protection.
13. Qi Sha (七殺) – Power Star. Courage, decisiveness, and action, but may bring danger.
14. Po Jun (破軍) – Ruinous Star. Change, destruction, and rebellion; creative yet impulsive.
AUXILIARY & MINOR STARS
These add detail to a chart and can be auspicious or inauspicious depending on placement.
While San He method uses all the auxiliary and minor stars listed below, Si Hua method uses only 4 of them which are Zuo Fu, You Bi, Wen Chang & Wen Qu.
Auspicious:
1. Zuo Fu (左輔) & You Bi (右弼) – Helpful people, strong support.
2. Tian Kui (天魁) & Tian Yue (天鉞) – Noble stars, bringing benefactors and opportunities.
3. Wen Chang (文昌) & Wen Qu (文曲) – Literacy, eloquence, and artistic talent.
4. Lu Cun (祿存) – Wealth and abundance.
5. Tian Ma (天馬) – Travel, change, and movement.
Inauspicious:
1. Huo Xing (火星) – Turmoil and aggression.
2. Ling Xing (鈴星) – Sudden disruptions, cunning strategies.
3. Qing Yang (擎羊) – Trouble and conflict.
4. Tuo Luo (陀羅) – Delay and obstacles.
5. Di Kong (地空) & Di Jie (地劫) – Loss and sudden interference.
THE FOUR TRANSFORMERS
These are dynamic influences that change with time:
1. Hua Lu (化祿) – Prosperity and good fortune.
2. Hua Quan (化權) – Power and authority.
3. Hua Ke (化科) – Fame and recognition.
4. Hua Ji (化忌) – Hindrance, loss, and challenges.
Read also the related articles here:
Zi Wei Dou Shu - The Birth Hour
