Guanyin Fortune Stick 29 (Middle Lot)
"The precious sword flashes bright as it leaves the sheath..." So opens lot 29 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
寶劍光芒出匣時
匣中應不被塵欺
貴人親手提攜起
儘可防身更無疑
In English (our translation):
The precious sword flashes bright as it leaves the sheath;
inside the sheath no dust could dull the blade beneath.
A noble hand has lifted it and drawn it out for use:
it will defend you well, with no doubt and no excuse.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 29 | Middle lot | Wu palace (午宮) | Zhao Zilong Rescues A Dou (趙子龍救阿斗) |
The story: At the Battle of Changban, Zhao Yun (Zilong) fought through Cao Cao's army alone to carry Liu Bei's infant son A Dou to safety.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「寶劍出匣耀光明，在匣全然不惹塵，今得貴人攜出現，有威有勢眾人欽」. 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 | 此卦寶劍出匣之象。凡事有威有勢也。 | The image of a precious sword drawn from its sheath. You have power and presence. |
| Jieyue | 寶劍出匣。光輝萬里。貴人指引。無不觀美。 | The precious sword leaves the sheath and shines ten thousand miles. A noble helper guides you; nothing is less than splendid. |
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 | 吉 | Favorable |
| Money | 利 | Favorable |
| Deals and trade | 成 | Will succeed |
| Marriage | 好 | Good |
| Pregnancy | 女 | A girl |
| Someone away from home | 遲 | Late |
| Crops and silkworms | 宜早 | Better early |
| Livestock | 損 | Losses |
| Finding someone | 見 | Will be found |
| Lawsuits | 和 | Settle |
| Moving | 興 | A move goes well |
| Lost items | 南方 | Look to the south |
| 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 fine sword drawn from its sheath, flashing bright. Someone influential is lifting you up, and you can show what you can do.
A tip: Now that you have a stage, use it for the right things.
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 28. Next lot: Lot 30.
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 29: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 29 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Wu palace (午宮), and its story is "Zhao Zilong Rescues A Dou."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 29 say?
In Chinese: 「寶劍光芒出匣時，匣中應不被塵欺，貴人親手提攜起，儘可防身更無疑」. In our English: The precious sword flashes bright as it leaves the sheath; inside the sheath no dust could dull the blade beneath. A noble hand has lifted it and drawn it out for use: it will defend you well, with no doubt and no excuse.
What does Guanyin lot 29 mean?
A fine sword drawn from its sheath, flashing bright. Someone influential is lifting you up, and you can show what you can do. A tip: Now that you have a stage, use it for the right things.