Guanyin Fortune Stick 61 (Middle Lot)
"Reciting poems by day, and singing under the moon..." So opens lot 61 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
日上吟詩月下歌
逢場作戲笑呵呵
相逢會處難藏隱
喝啋齊聲嗹哩囉
In English (our translation):
Reciting poems by day, and singing under the moon,
playing parts as the occasion calls, laughing all the afternoon.
Where people meet, it's hard to hide or slip away from view:
they all cheer out together, "lian-li-lo," in chorus too.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 61 | Middle lot | Yin palace (寅宮) | Su Xiaomei Tests Her Groom (蘇小妹難夫) |
The story: In folk tales, Su Xiaomei, the witty sister of Su Dongpo, locked her new husband Qin Guan out of the bridal chamber until he could answer her riddles in verse.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「日落吟詩月下歌，逢場作戲笑呵呵，相逢會遇難藏避，唱彩齊唱連理羅」. The wording differs in places, but the sense stays close to the version above.
- In version two, 連理 means two trees grown together, a figure for a loving couple.
- 羅 means a net, a figure for husband and wife bound together; it can also mean fine silks.
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。凡事時吉利也。 | The image of keeping to the old and following the time. Things are favorable in season. |
| Jieyue | 佳人在屋。吟唱詩曲。一片歡心。命中禍福。 | A fair lady in the house, reciting and singing poems. A heart full of joy; fortune and misfortune are fated. |
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 | 順 | Smooth |
| Deals and trade | 利 | Favorable |
| Marriage | 成 | Will succeed |
| Pregnancy | 女 | A girl |
| Someone away from home | 至 | Will arrive |
| Crops and silkworms | 熟 | A good harvest |
| Livestock | 旺 | Thriving |
| Finding someone | 至 | Will arrive |
| Lawsuits | 有理 | You are in the right |
| Moving | 吉 | Favorable |
| Lost items | 凶 | Unfavorable |
| Family graves | 大吉 | Very 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
Poems and songs, playing along with the moment, laughter all around. But where people gather, it is hard to stay out of sight.
A tip: Enjoy yourself, but keep your words and actions within bounds.
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 60. Next lot: Lot 62.
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 61: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 61 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Yin palace (寅宮), and its story is "Su Xiaomei Tests Her Groom."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 61 say?
In Chinese: 「日上吟詩月下歌，逢場作戲笑呵呵，相逢會處難藏隱，喝啋齊聲嗹哩囉」. In our English: Reciting poems by day, and singing under the moon, playing parts as the occasion calls, laughing all the afternoon. Where people meet, it's hard to hide or slip away from view: they all cheer out together, "lian-li-lo," in chorus too.
What does Guanyin lot 61 mean?
Poems and songs, playing along with the moment, laughter all around. But where people gather, it is hard to stay out of sight. A tip: Enjoy yourself, but keep your words and actions within bounds.