Guanyin Fortune Stick 75 (Middle Lot)
"It is as if you carried a tiger past the mountain's face..." So opens lot 75 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
宛如抱虎過山前
戰戰兢兢膽碎寒
幸得山前逢妙手
方能保得一身安
In English (our translation):
It is as if you carried a tiger past the mountain's face,
trembling, shaking, your courage shattered in its place.
By luck you meet a skillful hand before the mountain's side,
and only so can you keep your body safe and whole inside.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 75 | Middle lot | Wu palace (午宮) | Wu Zixu Slips Through Zhao Pass by Night (伍員夜出昭關) |
The story: Fleeing a death sentence in Chu, Wu Zixu worried so much at Zhao Pass that his hair turned white overnight; with help from a friend he got through.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「恰如拖虎過高山，戰戰競競膽碎寒，不覺忽然從好事，切須保守一身安」. The wording differs in places, but the sense stays close to the version above.
- In version two, 拖虎 ("dragging a tiger") originally read 抱虎 ("carrying a tiger").
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 | 此卦抱(拖)虎過山之象。凡事險凶驚恐也。 | The image of carrying (dragging) a tiger over a mountain. Danger, misfortune and fright. |
| Jieyue | 危危險險。前程有阻。若問求謀。到底辛苦。 | Dangerous and perilous; the road ahead is blocked. If you ask about plans, in the end it is hard going. |
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 | 祈保 | Pray for protection |
| Yourself | 提防 | Be careful |
| Money | 謹慎 | Be careful |
| Deals and trade | 滯 | Stalled |
| Marriage | 難順 | Hard going |
| Pregnancy | 有驚 | A scare |
| Someone away from home | 阻 | Blocked |
| Crops and silkworms | 五分 | Half a harvest |
| Livestock | 損 | Losses |
| Finding someone | 杳 | No word |
| Lawsuits | 虧 | You lose out |
| Moving | 守 | Hold on |
| Lost items | 難 | Difficult |
| Family graves | 凶 | Unfavorable |
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
Like carrying a tiger over a mountain, you tremble every step of the way. Luckily you meet someone skilled, and that is what keeps you safe.
A tip: In a risky situation, bring in someone who knows what they are doing. Do not tough it out alone.
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 74. Next lot: Lot 76.
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 75: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 75 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Wu palace (午宮), and its story is "Wu Zixu Slips Through Zhao Pass by Night."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 75 say?
In Chinese: 「宛如抱虎過山前，戰戰兢兢膽碎寒，幸得山前逢妙手，方能保得一身安」. In our English: It is as if you carried a tiger past the mountain's face, trembling, shaking, your courage shattered in its place. By luck you meet a skillful hand before the mountain's side, and only so can you keep your body safe and whole inside.
What does Guanyin lot 75 mean?
Like carrying a tiger over a mountain, you tremble every step of the way. Luckily you meet someone skilled, and that is what keeps you safe. A tip: In a risky situation, bring in someone who knows what they are doing. Do not tough it out alone.