Guanyin Fortune Stick 56 (Middle Lot)
"The stream is small, the stones are rough, the water roars along..." So opens lot 56 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
澗小石粗流水響
力勞撐駕恐損傷
路須指出前江去
風靜潮平儘不妨
In English (our translation):
The stream is small, the stones are rough, the water roars along;
you pole with all your strength and fear the damage may be strong.
You must be shown the way that leads you to the river ahead:
once the wind is still and the tide is calm, there's nothing to dread.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 56 | Middle lot | Chou palace (丑宮) | An Lushan Rebels (祿山謀反) |
The story: An Lushan, a favored Tang general, rebelled in 755 and nearly brought down the dynasty.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「灘小石溪流水響，風清明月貴人忙，路須借問何方去，莫取林中花草香」. The wording differs in places, but the sense stays close to the version above.
- In version two, 莫 originally read 管.
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 | 此卦船行小灘之象。凡事有貴人助也。 | The image of a boat in shallow rapids. A noble helper will assist you. |
| Jieyue | 營謀用事。勞心費力。守舊待時。凡事大吉。 | Planning and acting take heart and effort. Keep to the old and wait for the time, and all will go very well. |
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 | 安 | Peaceful |
| Yourself | 吉 | Favorable |
| Money | 中平 | Middling |
| Deals and trade | 利 | Favorable |
| Marriage | 遂 | As you wish |
| Pregnancy | 男 | A boy |
| Someone away from home | 至 | Will arrive |
| Crops and silkworms | 秋利 | Good in autumn |
| Livestock | 損 | Losses |
| Finding someone | 至 | Will arrive |
| Lawsuits | 有理 | You are in the right |
| Moving | 吉 | Favorable |
| Lost items | 帶 | Carried off |
| Family graves | 宜修 | Needs repair |
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 small, rocky, noisy stream: poling the boat takes effort and you may get hurt. Once you find the channel out to the river and the wind drops, there is nothing to fear.
A tip: Find the right direction first, then put your strength into it.
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 55. Next lot: Lot 57.
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 56: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 56 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Chou palace (丑宮), and its story is "An Lushan Rebels."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 56 say?
In Chinese: 「澗小石粗流水響，力勞撐駕恐損傷，路須指出前江去，風靜潮平儘不妨」. In our English: The stream is small, the stones are rough, the water roars along; you pole with all your strength and fear the damage may be strong. You must be shown the way that leads you to the river ahead: once the wind is still and the tide is calm, there's nothing to dread.
What does Guanyin lot 56 mean?
A small, rocky, noisy stream: poling the boat takes effort and you may get hurt. Once you find the channel out to the river and the wind drops, there is nothing to fear. A tip: Find the right direction first, then put your strength into it.