Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 17: Bing-Shen (丙申)
Lot 17 of the sixty, numbered Bing-Shen. Below are the original Chinese poem, our English translation, a plain reading, and a note on the imagery it draws on.
The poem
舊恨重重未改為
家中禍患不臨身
須當謹防宜作福
龍蛇交會得和合
Old grudges pile up, still not set right,
Yet no disaster will come into your home.
Be watchful, and do good where you can;
When dragon and snake meet, harmony follows.
The Chinese is the original: four lines of seven characters. The English is our own translation, aiming for the sense and a little of the rhythm.
| Lot | Stem-branch | Nayin | Attribute |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 17 | Bing-Shen 丙申 | Fire at the Mountain's Foot | Fire: favors summer and the south |
Chinese text from the Jieqian Ge version; wording varies a little between temples. The attribute is worked out from the Nayin element of the lot’s stem-branch pair and matches what traditional printed slips say.
What it means
Old resentments are not settled yet, but no disaster reaches your home. Be careful and do good, and in the end things come together.
Tip: Look for a way to settle old grievances, and act with care.
About the imagery: Dragon and snake (龍蛇) are the branches Chen and Si. Their meeting can be read as a point in time, or simply as two very different parties finally finding common ground.
This is a plain reading of the words. How it applies to your own question is best asked at the temple where you drew it.
How to draw a lot and read it
- Light incense and tell the deity your name, date of birth and address, then state clearly the one question you want to ask.
- Ask permission by casting the moon blocks (筊, jiaobei), two crescent-shaped wooden pieces. One flat side up and one round side up is a "holy answer" (聖筊): yes, go ahead. Then shake the bamboo cylinder until one stick falls out.
- Cast the blocks again to confirm this is your stick. Many temples ask for three holy answers in a row; if you do not get them, draw again.
- Take the poem with the same number, read it as a whole, and hold it up against your question. If it is unclear, the temple’s volunteers can explain it.
Ask about one thing at a time. The more specific the question, the easier the poem is to apply.
Common misunderstandings
A poor-sounding poem means it will definitely fail.
Most poems are reminders and directions, and the same poem means different things for different questions. Understanding the advice and adjusting what you do matters more than whether it sounds lucky.
You can keep drawing until you get a better one.
By custom you draw once per question. If you are still unsure, ask the temple to explain the poem, or come back and ask again after some time.
Previous: No. 16 Bing-Wu. Next: No. 18 Bing-Xu.
A straight word: the poem is faith; the meaning is our plain reading
The Chinese text follows the version compiled by the Jieqian Ge ("Oracle Reading Pavilion") site, checked word by word against other sources; temples differ slightly in wording. The English verse, meaning and tip on each page are our own plain reading of the words, not the temple’s official interpretation. For a real reading, ask the temple where you drew the lot. A poem can offer direction and comfort, but for legal, medical or money problems, please see a professional. Everything on this site is for reference and entertainment.
Beyond the oracle: your own chart
Enter your date of birth to cast your free BaZi Four Pillars chart and see your elements and Ten Gods.
Oracle No. 17: common questions
What is the poem for Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 17 (Bing-Shen)?
In Chinese: "舊恨重重未改為，家中禍患不臨身，須當謹防宜作福，龍蛇交會得和合". In English: Old grudges pile up, still not set right, / Yet no disaster will come into your home. / Be watchful, and do good where you can; / When dragon and snake meet, harmony follows.
What does oracle No. 17 mean?
Old resentments are not settled yet, but no disaster reaches your home. Be careful and do good, and in the end things come together. Tip: Look for a way to settle old grievances, and act with care.