Guanyin Fortune Stick 11 (Upper Lot)
"You seek a happy matter, a joy beyond the rest..." So opens lot 11 in our translation. Below are the Chinese original, the full English, the story behind the poem, the traditional counsel and what it means in plain English.
The poem
欲求好事喜非常
爭相姻親只暫忙
畢竟到頭成好事
貴人接引貴人鄉
In English (our translation):
You seek a happy matter, a joy beyond the rest;
the rush of kin and marriage keeps you busy for a spell at best.
But in the end the good thing surely comes to be:
a noble guide will lead you to the land of nobility.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 11 | Upper lot | Yin palace (寅宮) | Zhuge Liang Recommends Jiang Wei (書薦姜維) |
The story: Jiang Wei, a young Wei officer, went over to Shu; Zhuge Liang recognized his talent, recommended him and made him his successor.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「欲求勝事可非常，爭奈親姻日暫忙，到頭竟必成中箭，貴人指引貴人鄉」. The wording differs in places, but the sense stays close to the version above.
Shiyi and jieyue
The shiyi (詩意, "meaning of the poem") names the image in one line; the jieyue (解曰, "the reading") is a short four-character commentary.
| Item | Original | English |
|---|---|---|
| Shiyi | 此卦因禍得福之象。凡事營謀吉利也。 | The image of misfortune turning into blessing. Plans and pursuits go well. |
| Jieyue | 有意興變。到底安然。若問用事。只近貴人。 | There is intent to change, and in the end all is calm. If you ask about affairs, simply keep close to those of rank. |
Sacred counsel, item by item
The sacred counsel (聖意) gives a short verdict for each kind of question. Find the row that matches what you asked.
| Your question | Original | In English |
|---|---|---|
| Home and family | 大吉 | Very favorable |
| Yourself | 順利 | Smooth |
| Money | 有 | There is some |
| Deals and trade | 成 | Will succeed |
| Marriage | 合 | A match |
| Pregnancy | 男 | A boy |
| Someone away from home | 未至 | Not yet arriving |
| Crops and silkworms | 中平 | Middling |
| Livestock | 中平 | Middling |
| Finding someone | 見 | Will be found |
| Lawsuits | 有理 | You are in the right |
| Moving | 旺 | Thriving |
| Lost items | 東方 | Look to the east |
| Family graves | 吉 | Favorable |
The traditional counsel also has an "Illness" item, which we do not list. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
What it means in plain English
The good thing you want will come with a stretch of busy confusion, but it will come through in the end, with someone influential leading you in.
A tip: Stay steady while things are hectic, and keep close to people who can help.
This is our reading of the words on the page. For how it applies to your own question, go by the temple where you drew the lot.
How to draw a Guanyin lot
- Light incense and tell Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, your name, birth date and address, then state one question clearly.
- Ask permission by casting the two crescent-shaped moon blocks (筊, jiao). One flat side up and one round side up is a "yes." Then shake the bamboo cylinder until a single numbered stick falls out.
- Confirm the stick with the blocks. A common custom is to ask for three "yes" throws in a row; if you do not get them, draw again.
- Collect the poem slip with the same number. Read the whole poem first, then look up the counsel item that matches your question. If it is unclear, the temple staff can interpret it for you.
Ask about one thing at a time. The more specific the question, the easier the poem is to apply.
Common misunderstandings
A lower lot means the thing will certainly fail.
A lower lot is usually a signal to pause, hold what you have, or change your approach. The same poem can mean different things for different questions.
You can keep drawing on the same question until you get an upper lot.
By custom you ask once per question. If you still have doubts, ask the temple for an interpretation, or ask again after some time has passed.
Previous lot: Lot 10. Next lot: Lot 12.
A straight word: the lots are a matter of faith, and the plain meanings are ours
The original poems, shiyi, jieyue and counsel items follow the 100 Guanyin lots compiled by the Jieqian Ge (解籤閣) site, checked lot by lot against two other sources; temples differ slightly in wording and in grades. The English verse, the plain meanings and the tips are our own readings of the words on the page, not a temple's official interpretation. For a real reading, ask the temple where you drew the lot. For legal, medical or financial questions, see a professional, and if you feel unwell, see a doctor. Everything on this site is for reference and entertainment.
Beyond the lot: your own chart
Enter your birth date to cast your free BaZi Four Pillars chart and see your Five Elements and Ten Gods.
Guanyin lot 11: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 11 a good or bad lot?
It is an upper lot, Yin palace (寅宮), and its story is "Zhuge Liang Recommends Jiang Wei."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 11 say?
In Chinese: 「欲求好事喜非常，爭相姻親只暫忙，畢竟到頭成好事，貴人接引貴人鄉」. In our English: You seek a happy matter, a joy beyond the rest; the rush of kin and marriage keeps you busy for a spell at best. But in the end the good thing surely comes to be: a noble guide will lead you to the land of nobility.
What does Guanyin lot 11 mean?
The good thing you want will come with a stretch of busy confusion, but it will come through in the end, with someone influential leading you in. A tip: Stay steady while things are hectic, and keep close to people who can help.