Guanyin Fortune Stick 53 (Middle Lot)
"Disappointment turns around into a time of pride..." So opens lot 53 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
失意翻成得意時
龍吟虎嘯兩相宜
青雲有路終須到
許我功名必可期
In English (our translation):
Disappointment turns around into a time of pride;
the dragon sings, the tiger roars, both well on either side.
The road to the blue clouds is there, and you will reach it too:
the honors promised to you can surely be looked forward to.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 53 | Middle lot | Zi palace (子宮) | Liu Bei's Marriage in Wu (劉備招親) |
The story: Sun Quan of Wu offered his sister in marriage to Liu Bei as a trap; Zhuge Liang's plan turned it into a real marriage and a safe return.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「失意番成得意時，龍吟虎嘯兩相宜，青天自有通霄路，許我功名再有期」. 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 | 此卦龍吟虎嘯之象。凡事順意有望也。 | The image of the dragon singing and the tiger roaring. Things go as you wish, and there is hope. |
| Jieyue | 教去即去。自有亨通。到頭必制。立地可謀。 | Go when you are told to go; things will run smoothly of themselves. In the end you will surely prevail; right where you stand, you can plan. |
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 | 欠吉 | Not quite favorable |
| Money | 中平 | Middling |
| Deals and trade | 難 | Difficult |
| Marriage | 成就 | Will succeed |
| Pregnancy | 祈保 | Pray for protection |
| Someone away from home | 至 | Will arrive |
| Crops and silkworms | 五分 | Half a harvest |
| Livestock | 損 | Losses |
| Finding someone | 至 | Will arrive |
| Lawsuits | 和 | Settle |
| Moving | 吉 | Favorable |
| Lost items | 見 | Will be found |
| 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
Disappointment turns into success; the dragon sings and the tiger roars. There is a road up to the clouds, and the honors you hope for can be expected.
A tip: When your luck turns, walk forward with confidence.
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 52. Next lot: Lot 54.
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 53: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 53 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Zi palace (子宮), and its story is "Liu Bei's Marriage in Wu."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 53 say?
In Chinese: 「失意翻成得意時，龍吟虎嘯兩相宜，青雲有路終須到，許我功名必可期」. In our English: Disappointment turns around into a time of pride; the dragon sings, the tiger roars, both well on either side. The road to the blue clouds is there, and you will reach it too: the honors promised to you can surely be looked forward to.
What does Guanyin lot 53 mean?
Disappointment turns into success; the dragon sings and the tiger roars. There is a road up to the clouds, and the honors you hope for can be expected. A tip: When your luck turns, walk forward with confidence.