Guanyin Fortune Stick 21 (Upper Lot)

"When yin and yang unite, it all comes down from heaven..." So opens lot 21 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

In English (our translation):

When yin and yang unite, it all comes down from heaven;
a woman weds, a man takes a bride: no chance is given.
Just watch the dragon and the snake begin to move and meet,
and the bear appears in dreams, and the family is complete.

The story: In folk tales, the Tang prince Li Dan (later Emperor Ruizong) fled in disguise during Empress Wu's reign and married Hu Fengjiao, a woman who sheltered him.

The other version

Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「陰陽道合總由天，女嫁男婚喜偎然，但見龍蛇相會合，熊羆入夢樂團圓」. 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.

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.

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 joining of yin and yang, a man and woman marrying: these are meant to be. The match comes together and the family has something to celebrate.

A tip: A good match still needs care to keep it good.

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

1. Light incense and tell Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, your name, birth date and address, then state one question clearly.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Previous lot: Lot 20. Next lot: Lot 22.