On this page
Meaning and Context
The Twelve Palaces (Shi Er Gong, 十二宫) divides the face into twelve distinct regions, each associated with a specific life domain. This system creates a detailed map for comprehensive face reading.
Unlike the Three Sections (broad zones) or Five Features (sense organs), the Twelve Palaces focuses on specific locations that reveal detailed information about particular life areas.
- Life Palace (命宫): Between eyebrows—overall destiny, willpower
- Wealth Palace (财帛宫): Nose—financial fortune, material resources
- Siblings Palace (兄弟宫): Eyebrows—sibling relationships, friendships
- Marriage Palace (夫妻宫): Outer eye corners—marriage, partnerships
- Children Palace (子女宫): Under-eye area—offspring, creativity
- Health Palace (疾厄宫): Bridge of nose—health, accidents
Important boundary
The Twelve Palaces indicate tendencies in different life areas, not fixed outcomes. The condition of each palace suggests potential strengths or areas requiring attention.
Classical Roots
The Twelve Palaces system is elaborated in classical texts:
From Shenxiang Quanbian
「十二宫分定吉凶，五岳四渎各有主。」
Plain translation
"The twelve palaces each determine fortune and misfortune; the five mountains and four rivers each have their governance." This establishes the systematic nature of facial mapping.
From Mayi Xiangshu
「命宫为十二宫之首，印堂主一身之荣辱。」
Plain translation
"The Life Palace is the chief of the twelve palaces; the space between the brows governs honor and disgrace throughout one's life." This highlights the primary importance of the Life Palace.
The Twelve Regions
Complete list of the Twelve Palaces:
- Life Palace (命宫): Between eyebrows (印堂)—overall destiny, decision-making, willpower
- Wealth Palace (财帛宫): Nose—financial fortune, earning ability, material stability
- Siblings Palace (兄弟宫): Eyebrows—relationships with siblings and peers
- Marriage Palace (夫妻宫): Outer corners of eyes—marriage, romantic partnerships
- Children Palace (子女宫): Area below eyes—children, creative output
- Health Palace (疾厄宫): Between eyes on nose bridge—health, accidents, obstacles
- Travel Palace (迁移宫): Temples and forehead sides—travel luck, relocation fortune
- Servants Palace (奴仆宫): Lower cheeks—relationships with subordinates, support
- Career Palace (官禄宫): Center of forehead—career, reputation, social status
- Property Palace (田宅宫): Area between eyebrows and eyes—real estate, family assets
- Fortune Palace (福德宫): Eyebrow ends—spiritual well-being, blessings
- Parents Palace (父母宫): Left and right forehead—relationships with parents
How to Read
When analyzing the Twelve Palaces:
- Start with the Life Palace: This central palace influences all others
- Assess each region: Look at fullness, clarity, color, and any marks
- Note relationships: Neighboring palaces influence each other
- Check for marks: Moles, scars, or discoloration have specific meanings
- Consider overall harmony: How do all palaces work together?
Reading tip
A clear, full, bright palace is generally favorable. Sunken, dark, or marked areas may indicate challenges in that life domain. However, always consider the whole face.
How It Shows Up in FateFolio
In FateFolio's face reading tool:
- Palace mapping: AI identifies and analyzes each of the twelve palaces
- Life domain insights: Each palace interpreted for its associated life area
- Condition assessment: Fullness, clarity, and marks evaluated
- Holistic view: Palace relationships and overall facial harmony considered
Common Misconceptions
The Twelve Palaces concept is often misunderstood:
- Treating individual palaces in isolation rather than as part of a system
- Believing a single mark determines fate in that life area
- Ignoring that facial features and coloring change over time
- Over-emphasizing negative signs without considering compensating factors
- Using the system to judge others rather than for self-understanding
Sources and Quotes
References include classical Chinese physiognomy texts. Different schools may define palace boundaries slightly differently.
FAQ
Which palace is most important?
+
The Life Palace (命宫), located between the eyebrows, is traditionally considered the most important. It governs overall destiny, willpower, and decision-making ability. A clear, bright, unobstructed Life Palace is considered very favorable.
However, comprehensive face reading always considers all twelve palaces and how they interact with each other.
What does it mean if a palace has a mole or mark?
+
Traditionally, marks in different palaces have specific interpretations. However, the meaning depends on the mark's color, size, prominence, and the overall facial context. Not all marks are negative—some are considered auspicious.
The key is to consider marks as part of the whole picture rather than isolated determinants.