Mazu Fortune Stick No. 16 · Guan Hexagram
君看靈旗忽轉東，定知好事與從容，神天庇佑須思報，一炷心香帝座通。 See, the sacred banner suddenly swings east: good things are coming, unhurried and sure. Heaven protects you; think how to repay it: one stick of heartfelt incense reaches the throne on high.
The poem
君看靈旗忽轉東
See, the sacred banner suddenly swings east:
定知好事與從容
good things are coming, unhurried and sure.
神天庇佑須思報
Heaven protects you; think how to repay it:
一炷心香帝座通
one stick of heartfelt incense reaches the throne on high.
| Lot | Hexagram |
|---|---|
| No. 16 第十六首 | Guan 觀 (Contemplation) |
Text notes: line 1: the base text reads 君着靈旗忽轉東.
Beyond the poem: your own chart Cast a free BaZi chart →
Reminders by topic (written by us)
| Topic | Reminder |
|---|---|
| Career & exams | Peace and ease are worth more than empty titles 平安順遂比虛名更值得珍惜 |
| Business | Business is slowly improving, so move forward steadily 生意慢慢轉好，穩步前進 |
| Pregnancy | For pregnancy and childbirth, please follow your doctor's advice and prenatal checkups 懷孕生產請遵從醫師與產檢 |
| Marriage | A match made in heaven, and good news is near 天作之合，好事近了 |
| Travel | Be gracious to others and your trip will be pleasant 和氣待人，旅途愉快 |
| Household | Home is calm and safe, and everyone can rest easy 家中清淨平安，大家安心 |
| Seeking wealth | Keep a kind heart and money luck will draw near 存一份善心，財運自會靠近 |
| Luck of the times | Good things are coming at their own pace, so no need to hurry 好事從容到來，不必心急 |
| Lost items | Search slowly and it will come back to you 慢慢找，終會回到手上 |
| Farming & livestock | Summer yields are average, but autumn looks promising 夏天收成普通，秋天值得期待 |
| Lawsuits | Things may end amicably, so remember to stay grateful 雙方可望和氣收場，記得心存感謝 |
These short reminders are written by us from the poem and its hexagram; they are not the readings printed on the temple's slip, so for a real reading go by the temple where you drew the lot. The temple's list also has an "illness" topic, which we leave out, and the pregnancy topic is always a reminder to follow your doctor. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
What it means
The sacred banner swings east: good things are on their way, without rush. Remember to give thanks for heaven's protection; one sincere stick of incense is enough to be heard.
Reminder: Gratitude matters more than any offering.
This is a plain reading of the words. How it applies to your own question is best settled with the interpreter at the temple where you drew it.
How to draw a lot
- Light incense and tell Mazu your name, birth date and address, then state clearly the one matter you are asking about.
- Cast the moon blocks (jiaobei, two crescent-shaped wooden blocks) to ask whether you may draw. One face up and one face down means yes; then pull one stick from the cylinder.
- Cast the blocks again to confirm that this is your stick. Many temples ask for three yeses in a row; if not, put it back and draw again.
- Collect the poem with the matching number. Read the whole poem, then find the topic below that fits your question. If it is unclear, ask the temple's interpreter.
Ask about one thing at a time; the more specific the question, the easier the poem is to apply.
Common misunderstandings
A gloomy poem means the matter is doomed.
Most poems are reminders and directions. The same poem means different things for different questions, so look at the topic that matches yours.
You can keep drawing on the same question until you get a good poem.
By custom you ask once per matter. If you are still unsure, ask the temple's interpreter, or wait a while and ask again.
Previous: No. 15; next: No. 17.
A straight word: fortune poems are a matter of faith, and the meanings here are ours
The Chinese text and hexagram names follow a widely circulated edition, checked line by line against three other versions; we only corrected obvious copying errors, and every page shows the base text's original wording wherever we changed it. The topic reminders, English translations and plain-English meanings are our own reading of the words and the hexagram, not the temple's readings or official interpretation. For a real reading, ask at 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 poem: your own chart
Enter your birth date to cast a free BaZi Four Pillars chart and see your Five Elements and Ten Gods.
Mazu fortune stick No. 16: questions
What does Mazu fortune stick No. 16 say?
「君看靈旗忽轉東，定知好事與從容，神天庇佑須思報，一炷心香帝座通」 In English: See, the sacred banner suddenly swings east: good things are coming, unhurried and sure. Heaven protects you; think how to repay it: one stick of heartfelt incense reaches the throne on high. It is paired with the Guan hexagram.
What does Mazu fortune stick No. 16 mean?
The sacred banner swings east: good things are on their way, without rush. Remember to give thanks for heaven's protection; one sincere stick of incense is enough to be heard. Reminder: Gratitude matters more than any offering.