Guanyin Fortune Stick 59 (Middle Lot)
"You climb straight up the tower high to hide yourself away..." So opens lot 59 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
直上高樓去避身
四邊繞處是荊榛
誰知造物安排定
得意番成失意人
In English (our translation):
You climb straight up the tower high to hide yourself away,
but all around, on every side, the thorns and brambles stay.
Who knew the Maker had it planned and settled from the start:
the one who had his way is turned into a heavy heart.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 59 | Middle lot (some editions: Lower) | Yin palace (寅宮) | Zhang Liang Retires to the Mountains (張良隱山) |
The story: After helping Liu Bang found the Han dynasty, the strategist Zhang Liang declined high office and withdrew to the mountains, and so escaped the purges that followed.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「直上重樓去藏身，四圍荊棘繞為林，天高君命長和短，得一番成失二人」. The wording differs in places, but the sense stays close to the version above.
- In version two, 繞 is also written 遶.
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 | 此卦守舊隨時之象。凡事待時則吉。 | The image of keeping to the old and following the time. Waiting for the time is favorable. |
| Jieyue | 如醉飲酒。只宜守舊。直待時來。無災無咎。 | Like drinking until drunk; only keep to the old. Wait until the time comes, and there will be no disaster and no blame. |
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 | 安 | Peaceful |
| Money | 平常 | Ordinary |
| Deals and trade | 成 | Will succeed |
| Marriage | 不合 | Not a match |
| Pregnancy | 作福 | Do good works |
| Someone away from home | 至 | Will arrive |
| Crops and silkworms | 半吉 | Half favorable |
| Livestock | 大利 | Very profitable |
| Finding someone | 阻 | Blocked |
| Lawsuits | 虧 | You lose out |
| Moving | 吉 | Favorable |
| Lost items | 凶 | Unfavorable |
| 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
You climb a tall tower to hide, only to find thorns on every side. Success can turn to disappointment in a moment.
A tip: Keep to the old and move with the times. Do not charge ahead because of one success.
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 58. Next lot: Lot 60.
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 59: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 59 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot (some editions: Lower), Yin palace (寅宮), and its story is "Zhang Liang Retires to the Mountains."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 59 say?
In Chinese: 「直上高樓去避身，四邊繞處是荊榛，誰知造物安排定，得意番成失意人」. In our English: You climb straight up the tower high to hide yourself away, but all around, on every side, the thorns and brambles stay. Who knew the Maker had it planned and settled from the start: the one who had his way is turned into a heavy heart.
What does Guanyin lot 59 mean?
You climb a tall tower to hide, only to find thorns on every side. Success can turn to disappointment in a moment. A tip: Keep to the old and move with the times. Do not charge ahead because of one success.