Guanyin Fortune Stick 76 (Middle Lot)
"Fish and dragons mingle, all alike in mind and mood..." So opens lot 76 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
魚龍混雜意和同
耐守寒潭未濟中
不覺一朝頭角聳
禹門一跳到天宮
In English (our translation):
Fish and dragons mingle, all alike in mind and mood;
endure the cold pool while the crossing is not yet made good.
Before you know it, one fine day your horns will rise up high:
one leap across the Dragon Gate, and you're in the palace of the sky.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 76 | Middle lot | Wu palace (午宮) | Hongwu Herds Cattle (洪武看牛) |
The story: Before he founded the Ming dynasty as the Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang was a poor boy who herded cattle for a landlord.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「魚龍混雜意相同，耐守深潭待運通，不覺一朝頭聳出，禹門一跳過龍宮」. 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 | 此卦魚龍未變之逸象。凡事待時至可也。 | The image of fish and dragons not yet transformed. Wait until the time arrives, and it will do. |
| Jieyue | 雖是滋基。也要待時。營謀自本。切莫妄為。 | Though the foundation is growing, you still must wait for the time. Base your plans on what you have; do not act rashly. |
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 | 平安 | Safe and well |
| Yourself | 康泰 | Well and at peace |
| Money | 有 | There is some |
| Deals and trade | 待時 | Wait for the time |
| Marriage | 遲合 | A match, but late |
| Pregnancy | 生男 | A boy |
| Someone away from home | 遲 | Late |
| Crops and silkworms | 晚豐 | Plenty later |
| Livestock | 尾利 | Good toward the end |
| Finding someone | 未遇 | Not yet met |
| Lawsuits | 延 | Drawn out |
| Moving | 守舊 | Keep to the old |
| Lost items | 遠 | Far away |
| Family graves | 發 | Prospering |
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
Fish and dragons are mixed together, and you are still waiting in a cold pool. One day your horns will show, and with one leap you will pass the Dragon Gate.
A tip: Be patient first. Do not act rashly before the time is right.
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 75. Next lot: Lot 77.
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 76: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 76 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Wu palace (午宮), and its story is "Hongwu Herds Cattle."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 76 say?
In Chinese: 「魚龍混雜意和同，耐守寒潭未濟中，不覺一朝頭角聳，禹門一跳到天宮」. In our English: Fish and dragons mingle, all alike in mind and mood; endure the cold pool while the crossing is not yet made good. Before you know it, one fine day your horns will rise up high: one leap across the Dragon Gate, and you're in the palace of the sky.
What does Guanyin lot 76 mean?
Fish and dragons are mixed together, and you are still waiting in a cold pool. One day your horns will show, and with one leap you will pass the Dragon Gate. A tip: Be patient first. Do not act rashly before the time is right.