Guanyin Fortune Stick 77 (Middle Lot)
"Telling dreams within a dream, you win a pile of gold..." So opens lot 77 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
夢中說夢獲多財
身外浮名總莫猜
永遠山遙難信定
貴人一指笑顏開
In English (our translation):
Telling dreams within a dream, you win a pile of gold;
the fame outside yourself is not a thing to guess or hold.
The hills are far, the waters wide, it's hard to trust the word:
but when a worthy points the way, your laughter will be heard.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 77 | Middle lot | Wu palace (午宮) | Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao (捧璧歸趙) |
The story: Lin Xiangru carried the priceless He Shi jade to Qin, saw through the King of Qin's false offer of fifteen cities, and brought the jade safely home to Zhao.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「夢中說得是多財，聲名雲外終虛來，水遠山遙難信實，貴人指點笑顏開」. The wording differs in places, but the sense stays close to the version above.
- In the third line, 永 should read 水.
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 | 此卦夢中得寶之象。凡事虛多少實也。 | The image of finding treasure in a dream. Much is empty and little is real. |
| Jieyue | 如夢說夢。聲名莫望。只待好時。貴人指示。 | Like telling a dream within a dream; do not hope for fame. Just wait for the good time, and a noble helper will show you. |
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 | 祈福 | Pray for blessing |
| Yourself | 阻 | Blocked |
| Money | 虛 | Little real gain |
| Deals and trade | 難成 | Hard to achieve |
| Marriage | 不合 | Not a match |
| Pregnancy | 虛 | Uncertain |
| Someone away from home | 遲 | Late |
| Crops and silkworms | 不收 | No harvest |
| Livestock | 損 | Losses |
| Finding someone | 杳 | No word |
| Lawsuits | 和 | Settle |
| Moving | 待時 | Wait for the time |
| Lost items | 遠 | Far away |
| 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
Talking of dreams within a dream, you gain a fortune; fame is not to be counted on. Only when someone capable points the way do you have reason to smile.
A tip: Do not be carried off by daydreams. Real, practical guidance matters more.
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 76. Next lot: Lot 78.
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 77: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 77 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Wu palace (午宮), and its story is "Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 77 say?
In Chinese: 「夢中說夢獲多財，身外浮名總莫猜，永遠山遙難信定，貴人一指笑顏開」. In our English: Telling dreams within a dream, you win a pile of gold; the fame outside yourself is not a thing to guess or hold. The hills are far, the waters wide, it's hard to trust the word: but when a worthy points the way, your laughter will be heard.
What does Guanyin lot 77 mean?
Talking of dreams within a dream, you gain a fortune; fame is not to be counted on. Only when someone capable points the way do you have reason to smile. A tip: Do not be carried off by daydreams. Real, practical guidance matters more.