Guanyin Fortune Stick 78 (Upper Lot)
"Cold water poured upon white snow in a spreading sea..." So opens lot 78 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
冷水來澆白雪洋
不寒不熱自溫涼
要行天下無他事
惟有中藏一藝強
In English (our translation):
Cold water poured upon white snow in a spreading sea:
not cold, not hot, just warm and cool as it ought to be.
To travel all the world, you need no other thing to hold
but one skill stored inside yourself, worth more than gold.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 78 | Upper lot | Wu palace (午宮) | Rescuing the Emperor at Lintong (臨潼救駕) |
The story: In the Sui-Tang hero tales, Qin Qiong (Qin Shubao) saved Li Yuan and his family from an ambush at Lintong Mountain; Li Yuan later founded the Tang.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「冷水未燒白沸湯，不寒不熱有溫涼，要行天下無他事，為有身中百藝強」. 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 | 此卦平善用事之象。凡事平穩大吉也。 | The image of handling affairs evenly and well. Steady, with great good fortune. |
| Jieyue | 囚人逢赦。病遇良醫。求財謀望。貴人指示。 | A prisoner pardoned; the sick meet a good doctor. Seeking money and making plans, a noble helper shows you the way. |
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 | 安 | Peaceful |
| Yourself | 吉 | Favorable |
| Money | 遂 | As you wish |
| Deals and trade | 成 | Will succeed |
| Marriage | 合 | A match |
| Pregnancy | 男 | A boy |
| Someone away from home | 至 | Will arrive |
| Crops and silkworms | 熟 | A good harvest |
| Livestock | 旺 | Thriving |
| Finding someone | 至 | Will arrive |
| Lawsuits | 散 | Falls apart |
| Moving | 大吉 | Very favorable |
| Lost items | 即見 | Found soon |
| Family graves | 大吉利 | Very favorable |
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
Cold water on snow: neither cold nor hot, just right. What carries you through the world is a skill you truly master.
A tip: Hone your specialty. It is your greatest asset.
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 77. Next lot: Lot 79.
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 78: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 78 a good or bad lot?
It is an upper lot, Wu palace (午宮), and its story is "Rescuing the Emperor at Lintong."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 78 say?
In Chinese: 「冷水來澆白雪洋，不寒不熱自溫涼，要行天下無他事，惟有中藏一藝強」. In our English: Cold water poured upon white snow in a spreading sea: not cold, not hot, just warm and cool as it ought to be. To travel all the world, you need no other thing to hold but one skill stored inside yourself, worth more than gold.
What does Guanyin lot 78 mean?
Cold water on snow: neither cold nor hot, just right. What carries you through the world is a skill you truly master. A tip: Hone your specialty. It is your greatest asset.