Sixty Jiazi Fortune Stick No. 36: Ji-Hai (己亥)
Lot 36 of the sixty, numbered Ji-Hai. Below are the original Chinese poem, our English translation, a plain reading, and a note on the imagery it draws on.
The poem
福如東海壽如山
君爾何須嘆苦難
命內自然逢大吉
祈保分明自平安
Blessings as deep as the Eastern Sea, years as lasting as the hills:
Why should you lament your hardships?
Great fortune comes to you as a matter of course;
Pray for protection, and peace is plainly yours.
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. 36 | Ji-Hai 己亥 | Level-Ground Wood | Wood: favors spring and the east |
Chinese text from a widely circulated edition; 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.
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What it means
Blessings as wide as the sea. There is no need to lament your hardships; good fortune is there, and prayer brings peace.
Tip: Loosen up and stop worrying.
About the imagery: The first line is a stock birthday blessing, the same words people write on cards. Read it as a blessing, not a prediction about lifespan.
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. 35 Ji-You. Next: No. 37 Geng-Zi.
A straight word: the poem is faith; the meaning is our plain reading
The Chinese text follows a widely circulated edition, checked word by word against other versions; 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.
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Fortune Stick No. 36: common questions
What is the poem for Sixty Jiazi Fortune Stick No. 36 (Ji-Hai)?
In Chinese: "福如東海壽如山，君爾何須嘆苦難，命內自然逢大吉，祈保分明自平安". In English: Blessings as deep as the Eastern Sea, years as lasting as the hills: / Why should you lament your hardships? / Great fortune comes to you as a matter of course; / Pray for protection, and peace is plainly yours.
What does fortune stick No. 36 mean?
Blessings as wide as the sea. There is no need to lament your hardships; good fortune is there, and prayer brings peace. Tip: Loosen up and stop worrying.