Guanyin Fortune Stick 14 (Middle Lot)
"You are like a crane of the immortals leaving its cage..." So opens lot 14 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
宛如仙鶴出樊籠
脫却羈縻處處通
南北東西無障碍
任君直上九霄中
In English (our translation):
You are like a crane of the immortals leaving its cage;
freed of the tether, every road is open on the page.
North and south and east and west, no barrier in sight:
you may fly straight up into the ninth heaven's height.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 14 | Middle lot | Mao palace (卯宮) | Ziya Leaves Office (子牙棄官) |
The story: Jiang Ziya left his post under the tyrant King Zhou of Shang rather than serve him, and went into hiding until he could serve a worthy ruler.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「宛如仙鶴出凡籠，脫得凡籠路路通，南北東西無阻隔，任君直上九霄宮」. 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 | 此卦仙鶴離籠之象。凡事先凶後吉也。 | The image of a crane leaving its cage. Bad first, good after. |
| Jieyue | 任意無虞。路有亨通。隨心自在。逍遙如人(神)。 | Do as you wish without worry; the road runs clear. Free and at ease, carefree as an immortal. |
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 | 不安 | Unsettled |
| Yourself | 還願 | Fulfill your vows |
| Money | 合 | A match |
| Deals and trade | 合 | Agreement reached |
| Marriage | 合 | A match |
| Pregnancy | 男 | A boy |
| Someone away from home | 見 | Will be found |
| Crops and silkworms | 秋利 | Good in autumn |
| Livestock | 損 | Losses |
| Finding someone | 阻 | Blocked |
| Lawsuits | 宜和 | Better to settle |
| Moving | 吉 | Favorable |
| Lost items | 東南 | Look to the southeast |
| 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
Like a crane flying out of its cage, you are free of your bonds. Every direction is open and the way ahead is wide.
A tip: Once you are free, you have to choose your own direction clearly.
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 13. Next lot: Lot 15.
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 14: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 14 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Mao palace (卯宮), and its story is "Ziya Leaves Office."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 14 say?
In Chinese: 「宛如仙鶴出樊籠，脫却羈縻處處通，南北東西無障碍，任君直上九霄中」. In our English: You are like a crane of the immortals leaving its cage; freed of the tether, every road is open on the page. North and south and east and west, no barrier in sight: you may fly straight up into the ninth heaven's height.
What does Guanyin lot 14 mean?
Like a crane flying out of its cage, you are free of your bonds. Every direction is open and the way ahead is wide. A tip: Once you are free, you have to choose your own direction clearly.