The Twelve Palaces of the Face (面部十二宮)
Mian Xiang (面相, Face Reading) organizes the face into twelve 'palaces' (宮位) — each palace governing a specific life domain. The twelve palaces derive from the same twelve-position framework used in Zi Wei Dou Shu (ZWDS) astrology, demonstrating the unified cosmological architecture underlying all Five Arts systems.
The Twelve Palaces
Life Palace (命宮): Center of forehead (Yin Tang) — overall destiny, core character. Siblings Palace (兄弟宮): Eyebrows — sibling and peer relationships. Spouse Palace (夫妻宮): Outer eye corners (Fish Tail 魚尾) — marriage and partnerships. Children Palace (子女宮): Below eyes (Silkworm region 卧蠶) — children and creativity. Wealth Palace (財帛宮): Nose tip and nostrils — personal wealth management. Health Palace (疾厄宮): Bridge of nose (Mountain Root 山根) — physical health. Travel/Migration Palace (遷移宮): Temples (Sun Temples 太陽穴) — travel and relocation. Subordinates Palace (僕役宮): Lower jaw/chin corners — employees and support. Career Palace (官祿宮): Forehead (Heavenly Court 天庭) — career and status. Property Palace (田宅宮): Eyelids — real estate and home. Fortune/Virtue Palace (福德宮): Upper outer forehead — accumulated good fortune. Parents Palace (父母宮): Above outer brows (Sun-Moon region 日月角) — parental relationships.
Reading the Palaces
Each palace is evaluated on three dimensions: (1) Structure — the permanent bone and flesh formation; (2) Color/Luster — the current Qi state overlying the permanent structure; (3) Markings — moles, scars, lines, and wrinkles that modify the reading. Structure reveals long-term destiny patterns; color/luster reveals current Qi and timing; markings reveal specific events or modifying factors.