Guanyin Fortune Stick 2 (Lower Lot)
"The whale not yet transformed still keeps to lake and stream..." So opens lot 2 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
鯨魚未化守江湖
未許升騰離碧波
異日崢嶸身變態
從教一躍禹門過
In English (our translation):
The whale not yet transformed still keeps to lake and stream;
it may not rise or leave the blue waves of its dream.
But one day, grown in grandeur, its body will be new,
and with a single leap it clears the Dragon Gate straight through.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 2 | Lower lot (some editions: Middle) | Zi palace (子宮) | Su Qin Fails at First (蘇秦不第) |
The story: Su Qin, a strategist of the Warring States period, was sent home in rags after his first bid for office. He studied through the night and later served as chancellor to six states at once.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「鯨魚未變守江河，不可昇騰更望高，異日崢嶸身變化，許君一躍跳龍門」. 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 | 此卦鯨魚未變之象。凡事忍耐待時也。 | The image of a whale not yet transformed. Be patient in all things and wait for the time. |
| Jieyue | 得忍且忍。得耐且耐。須待時至。功名還在。 | Bear it while you can; endure it while you can. You must wait for your time; the honors are still there. |
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 | 欠利 | Lacks profit |
| Deals and trade | 難 | Difficult |
| Marriage | 難 | Difficult |
| Pregnancy | 作福 | Do good works |
| Someone away from home | 平安 | Safe and well |
| Crops and silkworms | 吉 | Favorable |
| Livestock | 不利 | Unfavorable |
| Finding someone | 見 | Will be found |
| Lawsuits | 和 | Settle |
| Moving | 去 | Go |
| 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
The whale is still young and cannot leave its home waters. The time has not come; be patient and build yourself up, and one day you will leap the Dragon Gate.
A tip: Do not rush ahead now. Get your strength ready first.
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 1. Next lot: Lot 3.
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 2: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 2 a good or bad lot?
It is a lower lot (some editions: Middle), Zi palace (子宮), and its story is "Su Qin Fails at First."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 2 say?
In Chinese: 「鯨魚未化守江湖，未許升騰離碧波，異日崢嶸身變態，從教一躍禹門過」. In our English: The whale not yet transformed still keeps to lake and stream; it may not rise or leave the blue waves of its dream. But one day, grown in grandeur, its body will be new, and with a single leap it clears the Dragon Gate straight through.
What does Guanyin lot 2 mean?
The whale is still young and cannot leave its home waters. The time has not come; be patient and build yourself up, and one day you will leap the Dragon Gate. A tip: Do not rush ahead now. Get your strength ready first.