Guanyin Fortune Stick 69 (Middle Lot)
"Winter comes, and on the ridge there stands one plum tree bare..." So opens lot 69 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
冬來嶺上一枝梅
葉落枯枝總不摧
探得陽春消息近
依然還我做花魁
In English (our translation):
Winter comes, and on the ridge there stands one plum tree bare;
its leaves are gone, its branches dry, but it is still standing there.
It hears the news that warm spring days are coming near,
and once again it will be first of all the flowers this year.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 69 | Middle lot | Chen palace (辰宮) | The Plum Blossoms Twice (梅開二度) |
The story: From the novel "Plum Blossoms Twice" (二度梅): when a family was ruined, the plum tree they had prayed to bloomed a second time, and in the end justice was done and the lovers were reunited.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「冬來嶺上一枝梅，葉落枝枯終不摧，但得陽春悄急至，依然還我作花魁」. The wording differs in places, but the sense stays close to the version above.
- In the second line, 摧 originally read 催.
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 | 此卦梅花占魁之象。凡事宜遲則吉也。 | The image of the plum blossom taking first place. Taking it slowly is favorable. |
| Jieyue | 一箭射空。當空不空。待等春來。彩在其中。 | An arrow shot into the sky: it seems empty but is not. Wait until spring comes, and the prize is there. |
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 | 欠利 | Lacks profit |
| Yourself | 作福 | Do good works |
| Money | 謹慎 | Be careful |
| Deals and trade | 待時 | Wait for the time |
| Marriage | 遲成 | Succeeds late |
| Pregnancy | 春實秋虛 | Solid in spring, empty in autumn |
| Someone away from home | 遲至 | Arrives late |
| Crops and silkworms | 旺 | Thriving |
| Livestock | 旺 | Thriving |
| Finding someone | 見 | Will be found |
| Lawsuits | 虧 | You lose out |
| Moving | 如意 | As you wish |
| Lost items | 東方 | Look to the east |
| Family graves | 宜改 | Better to change |
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 plum tree on a winter ridge, leaves gone and branches bare, still stands. When spring arrives, it will again be the first to bloom.
A tip: It is fine to be slow. When your time comes, you will stand out.
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 68. Next lot: Lot 70.
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 69: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 69 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Chen palace (辰宮), and its story is "The Plum Blossoms Twice."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 69 say?
In Chinese: 「冬來嶺上一枝梅，葉落枯枝總不摧，探得陽春消息近，依然還我做花魁」. In our English: Winter comes, and on the ridge there stands one plum tree bare; its leaves are gone, its branches dry, but it is still standing there. It hears the news that warm spring days are coming near, and once again it will be first of all the flowers this year.
What does Guanyin lot 69 mean?
A plum tree on a winter ridge, leaves gone and branches bare, still stands. When spring arrives, it will again be the first to bloom. A tip: It is fine to be slow. When your time comes, you will stand out.