Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 9: Yi-Si (乙巳)

Lot 9 of the sixty, numbered Yi-Si. Below are the original Chinese poem, our English translation, a plain reading and a tip.

The poem

龍虎相隨在深山

君爾何須背後看

不知此去相愛愉

他日與我卻無干

Dragon and tiger roam together deep in the hills;

Why keep looking back over your shoulder?

Though for now you go on in fond delight,

One day it will have nothing to do with me.

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.

LotStem-branchNayinAttribute
No. 9Yi-Si 乙巳Sheltered Lamp FireFire: 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

The dragon and the tiger share the mountain, but each wants something different. It looks warm for now, but later it may have nothing to do with you.

Tip: See the relationship for what it is. Do not pin your hopes on one side of it.

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

  1. Light incense and tell the deity your name, date of birth and address, then state clearly the one question you want to ask.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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. 8 Yi-Mao. Next: No. 10 Yi-Wei.

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. 9: common questions

What is the poem for Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 9 (Yi-Si)?

In Chinese: "龍虎相隨在深山,君爾何須背後看,不知此去相愛愉,他日與我卻無干". In English: Dragon and tiger roam together deep in the hills; / Why keep looking back over your shoulder? / Though for now you go on in fond delight, / One day it will have nothing to do with me.

What does oracle No. 9 mean?

The dragon and the tiger share the mountain, but each wants something different. It looks warm for now, but later it may have nothing to do with you. Tip: See the relationship for what it is. Do not pin your hopes on one side of it.