宫 「Gōng 」 or palace originated from the concept of house or temple -
a space where spirits or souls dwelt in. 'Space' does not exist outside 'time',
so each 宫 can relate to the timespan of events happening in the particular 宫.
The 12 Palaces, or 十二宫 「Shí Èr Gōng 」 are arranged
in Anti-clockwise direction in this fixed sequence -
1. Life Palace 命宫 「Mìng Gōng 」
2. Siblings Palace 兄弟宫 「Xiōng Dì Gōng 」
3. Marriage Palace 夫妻宫 「Fū Qī Gōng 」
4. Children Palace 子女宫 「Zi Nu Gōng 」
5. Wealth Palace 财昂宫 「Cái Áng Gōng 」
6. Health Palace 疾厄宫 「Jí È Gōng 」
7. Travel Palace 迁移宫 「Qiān Yí Gōng 」
8. Friends, Servants Palace 仆役宫 「Pu Yì Gōng 」
9. Career Palace 官禄宫 「Guān Lù Gōng 」
10. Property Palace 田宅宫 「Tián Zhái Gōng 」
11. Fortune, Virtue Palace 福德宫 「Fú Dé Gōng 」
12. Parents Palace 父母宫 「Fù Mu Gōng 」
In addition, there is a 13th Palace called 身宫 「Shēn Gōng 」or literally, Body Palace.
It is as important as any of the other 12 Palaces in interpreting one's life events.