Guanyin Fortune Stick 28 (Middle Lot)
"In the east the moon comes up, lovely in its grace..." So opens lot 28 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
東方月上正嬋娟
頃刻雲遮月半邊
莫道圓時還又缺
須教缺處復重圓
In English (our translation):
In the east the moon comes up, lovely in its grace;
in an instant clouds draw over half its face.
Do not say that what is full must wane again:
what now is missing will be whole, and then.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 28 | Middle lot | Wu palace (午宮) | Empress Li Seeks Judge Bao (李后尋包公) |
The story: In the tale of the civet cat swapped for a prince, Emperor Zhenzong's consort Li was framed and driven out of the palace. Years later Judge Bao Zheng heard her story and restored her to her son, Emperor Renzong.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「東邊月上正嬋娟，頃刻雲遮亦暗存，或有圓時還有缺，更言非者亦閑言」. 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 | 此卦月被雲遮之象。凡事昏迷未定也。 | The image of the moon covered by clouds. Things are confused and not yet settled. |
| Jieyue | 浮雲遮月。不須疑惑。等待雲收。便見明白。 | Floating clouds hide the moon; there is no need to doubt. Wait for the clouds to clear and you will see plainly. |
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 | 祈保 | Pray for protection |
| Money | 阻 | Blocked |
| Deals and trade | 吉 | Favorable |
| Marriage | 不合 | Not a match |
| Pregnancy | 有驚 | A scare |
| Someone away from home | 滯 | Stalled |
| Crops and silkworms | 不利 | Unfavorable |
| Livestock | 不利 | Unfavorable |
| Finding someone | 難 | Difficult |
| Lawsuits | 虧 | You lose out |
| Moving | 守舊 | Keep to the old |
| Lost items | 西方 | Look to the west |
| Family graves | 改 | Make a change |
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
Half the moon is hidden by clouds, but only for now. What wanes will be full again; wait patiently for the clouds to pass.
A tip: When things are unclear, do not jump to conclusions.
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 27. Next lot: Lot 29.
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 28: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 28 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Wu palace (午宮), and its story is "Empress Li Seeks Judge Bao."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 28 say?
In Chinese: 「東方月上正嬋娟，頃刻雲遮月半邊，莫道圓時還又缺，須教缺處復重圓」. In our English: In the east the moon comes up, lovely in its grace; in an instant clouds draw over half its face. Do not say that what is full must wane again: what now is missing will be whole, and then.
What does Guanyin lot 28 mean?
Half the moon is hidden by clouds, but only for now. What wanes will be full again; wait patiently for the clouds to pass. A tip: When things are unclear, do not jump to conclusions.