Guanyin Fortune Stick 71 (Middle Lot)
"Who knew your love and favor would meet a forceful man?..." So opens lot 71 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
誰知愛寵遇強徒
女子當年嫁二夫
自是一弓施兩箭
騎龍跨馬上安居
In English (our translation):
Who knew your love and favor would meet a forceful man?
A woman in those days was wed to two, against the plan.
It is as if one bow were drawn to shoot two arrows true:
then mount the dragon, ride the horse, and settle down anew.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 71 | Middle lot | Chen palace (辰宮) | Zhuo Wenjun Visits Sima Xiangru (文君訪相如) |
The story: The young widow Zhuo Wenjun heard the poet Sima Xiangru play the zither and eloped with him, one of China's best-known love stories.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「認知倉龍十九衛，女子當年嫁二夫，自是一弓架兩箭，切恐龍馬上安居」. 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 | 此卦一弓架兩箭之象。凡事再合則吉也。 | The image of one bow set with two arrows. Joining again brings good fortune. |
| Jieyue | 不出重重。事由天命。振六中開。切宜謹守。 | Beyond layer upon layer, matters rest with heaven's will. When a way opens in the middle, be sure to keep careful watch. |
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 | 損失 | Losses |
| Yourself | 是非 | Disputes |
| Money | 勞力 | Takes hard work |
| Deals and trade | 謹防 | Be on guard |
| Marriage | 再合 | Come together again |
| Pregnancy | 先虛后實 | Empty first, solid later |
| Someone away from home | 阻 | Blocked |
| Crops and silkworms | 晚收 | Late harvest |
| Livestock | 損 | Losses |
| Finding someone | 見 | Will be found |
| Lawsuits | 虧 | You lose out |
| Moving | 改 | Make a change |
| Lost items | 見 | Will be found |
| Family graves | 改 | Make a 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
One bow with two arrows, a woman promised to two men: things will go well only when they come together a second time.
A tip: When you are caught between two choices, sort out priorities and promises first.
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 70. Next lot: Lot 72.
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 71: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 71 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Chen palace (辰宮), and its story is "Zhuo Wenjun Visits Sima Xiangru."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 71 say?
In Chinese: 「誰知愛寵遇強徒，女子當年嫁二夫，自是一弓施兩箭，騎龍跨馬上安居」. In our English: Who knew your love and favor would meet a forceful man? A woman in those days was wed to two, against the plan. It is as if one bow were drawn to shoot two arrows true: then mount the dragon, ride the horse, and settle down anew.
What does Guanyin lot 71 mean?
One bow with two arrows, a woman promised to two men: things will go well only when they come together a second time. A tip: When you are caught between two choices, sort out priorities and promises first.