Guanyin Fortune Stick 54 (Lower Lot)
"In a dream you found a treasure, and on waking it was gone..." So opens lot 54 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
夢中得寶醒來無
應說巫山只是虛
若問婚姻幷病訟
別尋生路相得宜
In English (our translation):
In a dream you found a treasure, and on waking it was gone;
you should say the clouds of Wushan were a mist you gazed upon.
If you ask about a marriage, or about a suit at law,
better find another path, a road without a flaw.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 54 | Lower lot | Zi palace (子宮) | Ma Chao Pursues Cao Cao (馬超追曹) |
The story: Ma Chao chased Cao Cao so closely at Tong Pass that Cao Cao threw off his robe and cut off his beard so as not to be recognized.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「夢中得寶醒來無，自謂南山只是鋤，若問婚姻并問病，別尋來路為相扶」. The wording differs in places, but the sense stays close to the version above.
- 幷 is pronounced like 并 but is a different character.
- In version two, "Southern Mountain" (南山) alludes to long life, and "hoe" (鋤) to toil or digging a grave.
- In version two, 來路 originally read 從路.
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 | 此卦夢中得寶之象。凡事枉費心力也。 | The image of finding treasure in a dream. Heart and strength spent in vain. |
| Jieyue | 物在水中。形影長短。皆有分定。不用商量。 | Things in the water, their shadows long and short: all are fixed by fate. There is nothing to discuss. |
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 | 欠安 | Not quite at ease |
| Yourself | 謹防 | Be on guard |
| Money | 阻 | Blocked |
| Deals and trade | 難 | Difficult |
| Marriage | 待時 | Wait for the time |
| Pregnancy | 祈保 | Pray for protection |
| Someone away from home | 遲 | Late |
| Crops and silkworms | 滯 | Stalled |
| Livestock | 滯 | Stalled |
| Finding someone | 見 | Will be found |
| Lawsuits | 虧 | You lose out |
| Moving | 吉 | Favorable |
| Lost items | 空 | Gone |
| Family graves | 不安 | Unsettled |
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
Treasure found in a dream is gone when you wake. For questions of marriage or disputes, it is better to look for another way.
A tip: Do not fixate on one road. Another approach may work better.
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 53. Next lot: Lot 55.
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 54: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 54 a good or bad lot?
It is a lower lot, Zi palace (子宮), and its story is "Ma Chao Pursues Cao Cao."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 54 say?
In Chinese: 「夢中得寶醒來無，應說巫山只是虛，若問婚姻幷病訟，別尋生路相得宜」. In our English: In a dream you found a treasure, and on waking it was gone; you should say the clouds of Wushan were a mist you gazed upon. If you ask about a marriage, or about a suit at law, better find another path, a road without a flaw.
What does Guanyin lot 54 mean?
Treasure found in a dream is gone when you wake. For questions of marriage or disputes, it is better to look for another way. A tip: Do not fixate on one road. Another approach may work better.