Center Palace
中宮
In simple terms
the very center square of the nine palaces. A central seat with no direction of its own, it acts like the axis that coordinates the whole board.
At a glance
A little deeper
The Center Palace sits at the middle of the eight directions and is set aside in direct directional judgment, but energy attached to it is “lodged” into another palace to act. It is the key to understanding the board’s center.
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Related terms
an Eastern art that maps time and direction onto a nine-square board to read “right now, which direction’s energy is favorable.” It was long used as a strategy of choosing the right time and place.
the complete board that captures a single moment in Qimen. By solar term and time it divides into “yang escaping” and “yin escaping,” and the layout of the nine squares changes accordingly.
the moving upper layer over the nine palaces that shows heavenly energy — which heavenly force turns in which direction at that moment.
the fixed lower layer across the nine palaces that shows earthly positions — the underlying frame of energy for that board, unlike the moving Heaven Plate.
the three noble energies Yi (乙), Bing (丙) and Ding (丁). Likened to sun, moon and stars, the directions where these turn are generally read as auspicious.
the six energies Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren and Gui — the remaining framework that, paired with the Three Marvels, fills the nine palaces.