Guanyin Fortune Stick 6 (Middle Lot)
"He threw himself beneath the cliff to feed the hungry tiger..." So opens lot 6 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
投身巖下飼於菟
須是還他大丈夫
捨己也應難再得
通行天下此人無
In English (our translation):
He threw himself beneath the cliff to feed the hungry tiger;
such a deed belongs to a great man and no one smaller.
A heart that gives itself away is rare to find again;
search all the roads under heaven, you'll not meet such men.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 6 | Middle lot | Chou palace (丑宮) | Xue Rengui Meets His Lord (仁貴遇主) |
The story: Xue Rengui rose from poverty to become a great Tang general after Emperor Taizong noticed his courage during the campaign in Korea.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「投身岩下鵰鳥居，須是還他大丈夫，及早營謀誰可得，通行天地此人無」. 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 | 此卦投岩銅鳥之象。凡事宜順吉之兆。 | The image of throwing oneself off the cliff to feed the birds. A sign that things go smoothly if you go with them. |
| Jieyue | 食用無魚。身清喜貧。待時利樂。權與概人。 | No fish for your meals; a clean life content with being poor. Wait for the time and you will enjoy gain; the power lies with others. |
| Other editions | 魚→當 | In "no fish" (無魚), one edition has 當 in place of 魚. |
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 | 不利 | Unfavorable |
| Yourself | 中吉 | Moderately favorable |
| Money | 中吉 | Moderately favorable |
| Deals and trade | 難 | Difficult |
| Marriage | 平平 | Average |
| Pregnancy | 安 | Safe |
| Someone away from home | 近 | Nearby |
| Crops and silkworms | 早種 | Plant early |
| Livestock | 損 | Losses |
| Finding someone | 見 | Will be found |
| Lawsuits | 有理 | You are in the right |
| Moving | 吉 | Favorable |
| Lost items | 見 | Will be found |
| Family graves | 安 | Peaceful |
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
The story of giving one's body to feed a starving tiger: it speaks of a rare generosity of spirit that few people have.
A tip: Give within your means; a big heart is not the same as having no limits.
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 5. Next lot: Lot 7.
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 6: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 6 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Chou palace (丑宮), and its story is "Xue Rengui Meets His Lord."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 6 say?
In Chinese: 「投身巖下飼於菟，須是還他大丈夫，捨己也應難再得，通行天下此人無」. In our English: He threw himself beneath the cliff to feed the hungry tiger; such a deed belongs to a great man and no one smaller. A heart that gives itself away is rare to find again; search all the roads under heaven, you'll not meet such men.
What does Guanyin lot 6 mean?
The story of giving one's body to feed a starving tiger: it speaks of a rare generosity of spirit that few people have. A tip: Give within your means; a big heart is not the same as having no limits.