Guanyin Fortune Stick 13 (Middle Lot)
"Born into a house of wealth and noble rank..." So opens lot 13 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
自小生身富貴家
眼前萬事總奢華
要君賜受金魚袋
四海傳名足可誇
In English (our translation):
Born into a house of wealth and noble rank,
all you see is splendor, with plenty in the bank.
Your lord would grant to you the golden-fish purse of state,
and your name will spread to the four seas, worth boasting of as great.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 13 | Middle lot | Yin palace (寅宮) | Luo Tong Is Made Marshal (羅通拜帥) |
The story: In the Tang legends, the young general Luo Tong led troops to rescue Emperor Taizong when he was besieged, and was made marshal.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「自小生在富貴家，眼前萬物總奢華，蒙君賜紫金腰帶，四海聲名定可誇」. 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 | 此卦龍門得通之象。凡事有變大吉也。 | The image of passing through the Dragon Gate. Change brings great good fortune. |
| Jieyue | 囚人逢赦。病即安然。龍門得遇。名遍名都。 | A prisoner pardoned; illness soon eased. You pass the Dragon Gate and your name spreads through the capitals. |
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 | 祈福 | Pray for blessing |
| Yourself | 祈福 | Pray for blessing |
| Money | 秋冬吉 | Good in autumn and winter |
| Deals and trade | 宜遲 | Better later |
| Marriage | 合 | A match |
| Pregnancy | 女 | A girl |
| Someone away from home | 祈保 | Pray for protection |
| 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 | 守舊 | Keep to the old |
| 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
A good start and smooth circumstances; there is a chance of being recognized and of your name traveling far.
A tip: Treasure the good times, and do not grow careless in comfort.
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 12. Next lot: Lot 14.
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 13: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 13 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Yin palace (寅宮), and its story is "Luo Tong Is Made Marshal."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 13 say?
In Chinese: 「自小生身富貴家，眼前萬事總奢華，要君賜受金魚袋，四海傳名足可誇」. In our English: Born into a house of wealth and noble rank, all you see is splendor, with plenty in the bank. Your lord would grant to you the golden-fish purse of state, and your name will spread to the four seas, worth boasting of as great.
What does Guanyin lot 13 mean?
A good start and smooth circumstances; there is a chance of being recognized and of your name traveling far. A tip: Treasure the good times, and do not grow careless in comfort.