Yue Lao Love Oracle: All 100 Lots and the Lot King
Yue Lao, the Old Man under the Moon, is the Chinese god of matchmaking, said to tie destined couples together with an invisible red thread. At his shrines in Taiwan people ask about love by drawing a numbered bamboo stick. His lots are unusual: instead of a four-line poem, you might get a single line such as "the ospreys call to each other" from the Book of Songs, or "he is fit to marry" from Confucius. Every lot is a quotation from an old book, and reading it well means knowing where it comes from. Here are all 101 lots, in Chinese with our English translation, the source of each quotation and what it means.
How to ask Yue Lao for a lot
- Yue Lao, the Old Man under the Moon, usually has a side shrine inside a larger temple, such as a City God temple or a Mazu temple. Follow the temple's route: pay respects to the main deity first, then go to Yue Lao.
- Tell Yue Lao your name, birth date and address, describe where you are in love right now, and state the one question you want to ask (for example, "Will this relationship last?" or "When will I meet someone?").
- 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 and cast again to confirm it. Many temples ask for three yeses in a row; if not, draw again.
- Collect the slip with the matching number. Yue Lao lots are quotations from old books, so the meaning often depends on the original passage. If it is unclear, ask the temple's interpreter.
Ask about one thing at a time; the more specific the question, the easier the lot is to apply. Yue Lao lots are for love and marriage only; for other matters, use the temple's general fortune poems.
How Yue Lao lots differ from other fortune poems
| General fortune poems (Sixty Jiazi, Guanyin …) | Yue Lao oracle (this page) | |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Mostly original four-line poems | Quotations from old books, of any length |
| Questions | Career, marriage, money, travel … | Love and marriage only |
| Number of lots | 60 or 100 | 100, plus one Lot King |
| Grades | Depends on the set | From "excellent, great fortune" down to "poor", plus the Lot King |
Tradition traces this set to the shrine of the Old Man under the Moon at Baiyun Temple by West Lake in Hangzhou. Yue Lao shrines in Taiwan, including the one at Qishan Tianhou Temple, use the same set. Some temples have their own Yue Lao lots, so go by the slip from the temple where you drew.
Where the quotations come from
| Source | Lots |
|---|---|
| Book of Songs 《詩經》 | 11 |
| Analects 《論語》 | 11 |
| Mencius 《孟子》 | 11 |
| Great Learning and Doctrine of the Mean 《大學》《中庸》 | 6 |
| Other chapters of the Book of Rites 《禮記》其他篇 | 3 |
| Zuo Zhuan 《左傳》 | 8 |
| Romance of the Western Chamber 《西廂記》 | 6 |
| Other plays and tales (Palace of Eternal Youth, Peony Pavilion, The Lute, The Story of Yingying) 其他戲曲小說（《長生殿》《牡丹亭》《琵琶記》《鶯鶯傳》） | 5 |
| Poems assembled from Tang lines (Xiangxie Ji) 《香屑集》集唐詩 | 2 |
| Other classics and histories 其他經史子書 | 11 |
| Tang and Song poems and prose 唐宋詩文 | 19 |
| Sayings, a couplet and the Lot King 俗語、對聯與籤王 | 7 |
| Source uncertain 出處待考 | 1 |
The Book of Songs and the Four Books are quoted most: the Book of Songs is full of courtship and wedding songs, and the Confucian books offer advice on how to treat people. Among the plays, the Romance of the Western Chamber and The Palace of Eternal Youth are both famous love stories. To understand a lot, it helps to know what the original passage is about, so every lot page includes that background.
How the grades are spread
1Lot King 籤王
6Excellent, great fortune 上上大吉
12Excellent 上上
5Very good 上吉
25Good 上
8Good, steady 上平
3Fair to good 中上
30Fair 中
5Fair, steady 中平
6Poor 下
Counted from the circulating text, 101 lots including the Lot King.
Most lots are graded good or better; only 6 are "poor". We keep the traditional grades and add no fortune-telling of our own; what matters is the whole lot and its source.
All lots at a glance
| Lot | Grade | Text | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot King | Lot King 籤王 | 佳偶天成，神仙美眷也。夫復何求？ | This is a union heaven itself arranged, a partner as fitting as any immortal couple. There is nothing more you need to go looking for. |
| Lot 1 | Excellent, great fortune 上上大吉 | 關關雎鳩，在河之洲。窈窕淑女，君子好逑。 | This is a well-matched pairing with feelings on both sides, and the other person is interested too. Court them sincerely and the two of you can become a couple. |
| Lot 2 | Fair 中 | 落霞與孤鶩齊飛，秋水共長天一色。 | The scene is beautiful, but the bird flies alone. The right match has not arrived yet, and it is natural to feel lonely. Take good care of your own life for now and wait quietly for the right moment. |
| Lot 3 | Excellent, great fortune 上上大吉 | 宗廟享之，子孫保之。 | Blessings built up by the generation before you are flowing down to you. This match has the good wishes of your elders and can carry on into the next generation. |
| Lot 4 | Fair 中 | 斯人也，而有斯疾也！斯人也，而有斯疾也！ | Even the best people have flaws and burdens. The relationship can only go the distance if you both accept each other's shortcomings and are willing to work on your own. |
| Lot 5 | Good 上 | 逾東家牆而摟其處子，則得妻；不摟，則不得妻。 | The popular reading says to take the initiative and not let a chance slip away. But what Mencius actually meant is that even a marriage must not be pursued by improper means. Being proactive is fine; the way you go about it must be honorable. |
| Lot 6 | Very good 上吉 | 風弄竹聲，只道金佩響；月移花影，疑是玉人來。 | The one you long for is about to come, and your waiting is full of hope. Good news is not far off. |
| Lot 7 | Good 上 | 斯是陋室，唯吾德馨。 | There is no need to feel inferior if your circumstances do not match others'. Cultivate your character and inner depth, and someone will notice what is good in you. |
| Lot 8 | Fair to good 中上 | 期我乎桑中，要我乎上宮，送我乎淇之上也。 | The romance is passionate, but meeting in secret never feels truly secure. Marriage is a big decision that should be made openly and willingly on both sides, and your families should know about it. |
| Lot 9 | Poor 下 | 則父母國人皆賤之。 | A relationship without anyone's blessing, kept hidden from your family, carries a great deal of pressure. Right now you should choose your partner carefully and not insist on having your own way. |
| Lot 10 | Good 上 | 有道是養兒防老，積穀防饑。 | Marriage is a long-term commitment in which you support each other into old age. Start planning for your shared future now. |
| Lot 11 | Fair, steady 中平 | 自剪芭蕉寫佛經，金蓮無復印中庭。清風明月長相憶，玉管朱弦可要聽？多病不勝衣更薄，宿妝猶在酒初醒。隔年違別成何事？臥看牽牛織女星。 | You are sunk in memories and longing, but the old relationship is already over. Rather than dwelling on regret, take good care of yourself; that is how you make room to welcome someone new. |
| Lot 12 | Fair 中 | 一則以喜，一則以懼。 | This relationship brings both happiness and worry, and it is hard to have everything at once. Look at the situation realistically and weigh what matters, and do not lose heart over small setbacks. |
| Lot 13 | Good 上 | 山窮水盡疑無路，柳暗花明又一村。 | A relationship that seems hopeless may take a turn for the better just around the corner. Do not give up when you feel discouraged; a new opportunity lies ahead. |
| Lot 14 | Excellent 上上 | 誰謂荼苦？其甘如薺。宴爾新婚，如兄如弟。 | Read on the surface, it says that when you truly love someone, even hardship tastes sweet, and newlywed life is joyful. But the original is the song of an abandoned wife, a reminder that even in sweet times you should cherish the person beside you. |
| Lot 15 | Fair 中 | 君子審禮，不可誣以姦詐。 | Keep appropriate boundaries while getting to know someone, and see them clearly. A person with a steady, upright heart will not be carried off by smooth talk. |
| Lot 16 | Excellent 上上 | 意中人，人中意，則那些無情花鳥也情癡，一般的解結雙頭學並棲。 | The person you like likes you too. The feeling is mutual, and this can work out well. |
| Lot 17 | Fair 中 | 德者本也，財者末也。 | When choosing a partner, look at character first and finances second. A relationship that puts money first will not last. |
| Lot 18 | Good 上 | 非獨內德茂也，蓋亦有外戚之助焉。 | A good match does not come from your own effort alone; you also need friends, relatives, and helpful people to bring you together. Spend more time with the people around you. |
| Lot 19 | Fair 中 | 或十年，或七八年，或五六年，或三四年。 | The timing of love is hard to predict, and you may have to wait a while longer. It cannot be rushed, but that does not mean it will not come. The original text is a warning against complacency, a reminder that love also takes care and effort to last. |
| Lot 20 | Good 上 | 何如？子曰：可也。 | You ask whether this match is a good one, and the answer is: it will do. There is an even higher level to reach, but what is in front of you is already good. |
| Lot 21 | Excellent 上上 | 十畝之間兮，桑者閒閒兮。 | Days that are quiet and steady, with two people comfortable in each other's company, make for a good match. |
| Lot 22 | Excellent, great fortune 上上大吉 | 久旱逢甘雨，他鄉遇故知。洞房花燭夜，金榜掛名時。 | Happy events are on their way to your door, with good news in both love and career. |
| Lot 23 | Fair 中 | 只一點故情留，直似春蠶到老，尚把絲抽。 | The old feelings are hard to cut off, and your heart still has not let go. You need to tell the difference between a real chance of getting back together and a longing that only you are still holding on to. |
| Lot 24 | Fair 中 | 他思已窮，恨不窮，是為嬌鸞雛鳳失雌雄。 | You have feelings for each other but something stands in the way, and the longing seems endless. It is hard to be together right now; you will need to wait until the obstacle clears. |
| Lot 25 | Good 上 | 可妻也。 | This is someone you can trust with your future. Do not let passing gossip or the other person's past cloud your judgment. |
| Lot 26 | Excellent 上上 | 維熊維羆，男子之祥；維虺維蛇，女子之祥。 | Happy news is at the door, your household is thriving, and there are signs of a new addition to the family. The old idea of separate omens for boys and girls is best read today simply as a blessing for a happy home. |
| Lot 27 | Good, steady 上平 | 有宗室之美。 | The other person comes from a good family with sound values, your two households are well matched, and you have family support behind you. |
| Lot 28 | Good 上 | 夫婦也，昆弟也。 | A married couple should support and understand each other the way siblings do. |
| Lot 29 | Fair, steady 中平 | 有意栽花花不發，無心插柳柳成蔭。 | Trying too hard can backfire. Relax and let things take their course; the right connection may show up somewhere you never expected. |
| Lot 30 | Fair 中 | 話別無長夜，相思又此春。瑤姬不可見，巫峽更何人？運石疑填海，乘槎欲問津。遙情每東注，誰共爾為鄰？ | Your longing runs deep, but the other person feels impossibly far away, and your efforts show as little result as trying to fill the sea. Take stock of whether this relationship is worth waiting for. |
| Lot 31 | Fair, steady 中平 | 設虛，夜靜水寒，魚不餌，笑滿船空載明月。 | This time may come up empty, and the fish may not bite. But even going home empty-handed, you carry a boatful of moonlight, so ease your mind; it was not wasted. |
| Lot 32 | Good 上 | 因荷而得藕，有杏不須梅。 | When two people are meant to be, they find each other, and with luck you will not even need a matchmaker. This match will come together naturally. |
| Lot 33 | Excellent 上上 | 可以託六尺之孤，可以寄百里之命。 | This person is dependable and worth building a life with, someone who can carry the weight of a family alongside you. |
| Lot 34 | Fair, steady 中平 | 仍舊貫，如之何？何必改作？ | Keeping things as they are is fine for now; there is no need to rush into change. The existing relationship is still workable, so do not be quick to replace someone or make drastic moves. |
| Lot 35 | Poor 下 | 遇人之不淑矣。 | This person may not be a good partner. Look carefully, and do not rush to commit your future. |
| Lot 36 | Good 上 | 投我以木桃，報之以瓊瑤。 | Your feelings will be returned, and a relationship where both give will keep growing stronger. |
| Lot 37 | Fair 中 | 求則得之，舍則失之。 | Opportunities come to those who reach for them; give up and you miss out. Success depends on whether you are willing to go after it. |
| Lot 38 | Very good 上吉 | 妻也者，親之主也。 | This match can lead to a home together, and the other person will be a good partner in running it. It is also a reminder to treat your partner with respect. |
| Lot 39 | Good 上 | 不得乎親，不可以為人；不順乎親，不可以為子。 | Take your parents' views into account when it comes to marriage; winning your family's acceptance helps the match go smoothly. |
| Lot 40 | Fair 中 | 踏破鐵鞋無覓處，得來全不費功夫。 | Searching hard does not always pay off; the right connection may appear when you least expect it. |
| Lot 41 | Good, steady 上平 | 良人者，所仰望而終身也，今若此。 | See the other person for who they really are; an impressive surface does not mean someone you can count on for life. |
| Lot 42 | Fair 中 | 重重疊疊上瑤臺，幾度呼童掃不開。剛被太陽收拾去，卻教明月送將來。 | Worries in your relationship keep coming back, and you cannot chase them off; the problem has not been solved, only hidden for a while. |
| Lot 43 | Very good 上吉 | 君子有援琴之挑，淑女無投梭之拒。 | You are interested, and the other person is not turning you away; the feeling is mutual, and this can work out well. |
| Lot 44 | Good 上 | 遐邇一體，率賓歸王。 | Distance is no obstacle; near or far, you can become one family. A long-distance connection can still come to something. |
| Lot 45 | Good 上 | 後生可畏，焉知來者之不如今也？ | The other person may be young and not yet accomplished, but shows real promise; do not judge only by what you see right now. |
| Lot 46 | Fair to good 中上 | 不愧於天，不怍於人。 | When your relationship is open and your conscience is clear, you have nothing to fear from gossip. |
| Lot 47 | Fair 中 | 害女紅者也。 | Focusing too much on looks and show gets in the way of what matters; keep your relationship grounded and practical. |
| Lot 48 | Very good 上吉 | 五百英雄都在此，不知誰是狀元郎？ | There are many options or rivals around you, and who comes out ahead is still undecided; show your best self. |
| Lot 49 | Good, steady 上平 | 故好而知其惡，惡而知其美者。 | Look at a person as a whole; if you can still see the flaws while you are in love, you will not be blinded by your feelings. |
| Lot 50 | Fair 中 | 兩世一身，形單影隻。 | You are on your own for now, and the right match has not yet arrived; take good care of yourself while you wait for your chance. |
| Lot 51 | Good 上 | 雖有善者，亦無如之何矣。 | Once things reach a certain point, even the kindest people around you cannot fix them for you. Make your own decisions, and take care early not to choose the wrong person. |
| Lot 52 | Excellent, great fortune 上上大吉 | 雲從龍，風從虎，聖人作而萬物睹。 | Kindred voices answer each other and kindred spirits seek each other out. The right people are naturally drawn together, and whatever you undertake can succeed. |
| Lot 53 | Excellent 上上 | 其所厚者薄，而其所薄者厚。 | Get your priorities straight. Treat the people you should cherish generously, and do not spend your heart in the wrong places. |
| Lot 54 | Fair 中 | 成也蕭何，敗也蕭何。 | The key person who makes this happen could also be the one who spoils it; the same circumstance can cut both ways. |
| Lot 55 | Good 上 | 不思舊姻，求爾新特。 | The common reading is "let go of the old love and welcome someone new," though the original poem is a complaint about a partner who tires of the old and chases the new. Either way, the message is the same: when old feelings have changed, do not force them. |
| Lot 56 | Excellent 上上 | 永老無離別，萬古當團聚。願天下有情人，都成眷屬。 | Lovers will end up together and stay by each other's side for the long run. |
| Lot 57 | Excellent 上上 | 是謂鳳凰于飛，和鳴鏘鏘。 | A first-rate match, with a couple in harmony, loving and walking side by side. |
| Lot 58 | Fair 中 | 惟舊婚媾，其能降以相從乎？ | An old acquaintance or old flame may have a chance to rekindle, but it depends on whether the other person is willing to set pride aside, and whether you are too. |
| Lot 59 | Fair 中 | 膾炙所同也，羊棗所獨也。 | What everyone likes is not necessarily right for you; what you alone love is truly yours. Choose a partner by your own heart, not by the crowd's taste. |
| Lot 60 | Fair 中 | 心苟不愆，何恤於人言？ | As long as your heart is honest and you have done nothing wrong, you do not need to mind idle talk. |
| Lot 61 | Good 上 | 不知其人，視其友。 | If you want to understand the other person, take a look at their circle of friends. |
| Lot 62 | Excellent, great fortune 上上大吉 | 嘉耦曰配。 | A wonderful partner; the two of you are made for each other. |
| Lot 63 | Fair, steady 中平 | 子規半夜猶啼血，不信東風喚不回。 | Your wish to win someone back is strong, but spring has already passed. Before you try hard to repair things, make sure the other person still wants to. |
| Lot 64 | Good, steady 上平 | 齊大非吾耦也。 | A big gap in background or circumstances may not suit you. Finding someone who fits you matters more than finding someone with the best credentials. |
| Lot 65 | Good, steady 上平 | 在幽閨自憐。 | Sitting alone feeling sorry for yourself will not bring love to your door. Get out and spend more time among people. |
| Lot 66 | Fair 中 | 驚起卻回頭，有恨無人省。揀盡寒枝不肯棲，寂寞沙洲冷。 | Being too picky or too aloof means you keep choosing and never settle down, and in the end all that is left is loneliness. |
| Lot 67 | Good 上 | 再，斯可矣。 | Give it some thought, but there is no need to keep wavering; once you have thought it through, go ahead. |
| Lot 68 | Good, steady 上平 | 苟有可觀，皆有可樂，非必怪奇瑋麗者也。 | Your partner does not need to be perfect or outstanding. If they have good qualities, you can be happy together; contentment is what brings joy. |
| Lot 69 | Fair 中 | 天下多負人，何必是。 | Being let down happens to people everywhere, and there is no need to fixate on one person. Letting go is what makes a new beginning possible. |
| Lot 70 | Good, steady 上平 | 利有攸往。 | You can act; taking the first step forward works in your favor. |
| Lot 71 | Fair to good 中上 | 雖有絲麻，無棄菅蒯；雖有姬姜，無棄蕉萃。 | Even when someone new and appealing comes along, do not lightly abandon the person from before; chasing the new and tiring of the old hurts people. |
| Lot 72 | Poor 下 | 以若所為，求若所欲，猶緣木而求魚也。 | With the wrong method, no amount of effort will get you there. Look at your approach first. |
| Lot 73 | Very good 上吉 | 白雲初晴，幽鳥相逐。 | After the rain comes clear sky; the two of you follow each other and share an easy happiness. |
| Lot 74 | Fair 中 | 恨相見晚也。 | You feel you should have met long ago, but the other person may already have a partner, or the timing may be wrong. See your situation clearly before you decide. |
| Lot 75 | Poor 下 | 則去偷香竊玉上用心，又不曾得甚。自從海棠開，想到如今。 | All your attention has gone into the chase with nothing to show for it, and your real responsibilities have slipped. It is time to bring your focus back. |
| Lot 76 | Good 上 | 忘足，履之適也；忘腰，帶之適也。 | The right relationship is comfortable enough that you do not have to try so hard. When being together feels natural, you are with the right person. |
| Lot 77 | Good 上 | 摽有梅，其實七兮。求我庶士，迨其吉兮。 | The timing is right, and you should act on it early. If someone has feelings, now is the moment to speak up. |
| Lot 78 | Fair 中 | 欲速則不達，見小利則大事不成。 | Love cannot be rushed. Grasping at what looks good right now can ruin something much bigger. |
| Lot 79 | Good 上 | 更灑遍客舍青青，千縷柳色新。 | After the rain, everything looks new. A parting is not necessarily a bad thing; a fresh chapter is about to open. |
| Lot 80 | Good 上 | 悲莫悲兮生別離，樂莫樂兮新相知。 | There is the pain of parting and also the joy of new connection. The old goes, and the new arrives. |
| Lot 81 | Fair 中 | 經之營之，不日成之。 | Put real care into it and results will come quickly. A relationship needs both a plan and a genuine investment of yourself. |
| Lot 82 | Excellent 上上 | 行去耶，前朱雀而後玄武，左青龍而右白虎。 | Go ahead and set out; you are guarded on all sides. Taking action works in your favor, and the road ahead is safe. |
| Lot 83 | Poor 下 | 姑舍是。 | Put this matter down for now; this is not the right time. |
| Lot 84 | Good, steady 上平 | 勸君莫惜金縷衣，勸君惜取少年時。花開堪折直須折，莫待無花空折枝。 | Make the most of your youth and the connection in front of you. When it is time to act, act. |
| Lot 85 | Excellent, great fortune 上上大吉 | 得其所哉！得其所哉！ | You have found where you belong, and everything is in its proper place. This match suits you well. |
| Lot 86 | Fair 中 | 河漢清且淺，相去復幾許？盈盈一水間，脈脈不得語。 | There is feeling on both sides and the distance is small, but something unspoken stands between you. You need to find a bridge to reach each other. |
| Lot 87 | Poor 下 | 便如鳳去秦樓，雲斂巫山。 | The bond is drifting apart, and meeting has become difficult. This relationship will be hard to continue for now. |
| Lot 88 | Fair 中 | 是非吾所謂情也。 | This is not real love. Do not mistake a passing preference or impulse for the real thing. |
| Lot 89 | Fair 中 | 卜以決疑，不疑何卜？ | Deep down you already know the answer. Act on your own judgment. |
| Lot 90 | Good 上 | 兩情若是長久時，又豈在朝朝暮暮。 | True feeling does not depend on seeing each other day and night. Being apart for a while will not hurt what you share. |
| Lot 91 | Good 上 | 你往事已沉，我只言自今。 | Let the past stay in the past; what matters is now. If neither of you digs up old history, you can start again. |
| Lot 92 | Fair 中 | 明明如月，何時可掇？ | The person you admire is wonderful but out of reach for now. You cannot close the gap yet, so you will need to wait. |
| Lot 93 | Excellent 上上 | 而浮生若夢，為歡幾何？ | Life is short, so make the most of the joy of being together. |
| Lot 94 | Fair 中 | 巧言令色，鮮矣仁。 | Be wary of someone who is all sweet talk. Look for sincerity and action. |
| Lot 95 | Good 上 | 螽斯羽，薨薨兮。宜爾子孫，繩繩兮。 | This is a blessing for a thriving household full of children and grandchildren. |
| Lot 96 | Excellent 上上 | 雖執鞭之士，吾亦為之。 | For the person you love, you are willing to set your pride aside and work hard. If you are ready to put in the effort, it can succeed. |
| Lot 97 | Fair 中 | 歸楚，楚人不信；歸漢，漢人震恐。足下欲持是安歸乎？ | You are caught in the middle and pleasing neither side. Think clearly about where you truly belong. |
| Lot 98 | Good 上 | 昨夜江邊春水生，艨艟巨艦一毛輕。向來枉費推移力，此日中流自在行。 | When the time is right, things go smoothly on their own, and the obstacles you faced before will fall away. |
| Lot 99 | Fair 中 | 必先苦其心志。 | Good things are preceded by a test; the hardship you face now is shaping you. |
| Lot 100 | Excellent 上上 | 花好、月圓、人壽。 | This is a happy, complete match, the kind where you grow old together. |
Chinese text compared across three circulating versions (golla.tw, zhanbu.org and the Qishan Tianhou Temple website) and checked against the original books. English translations are our own.
Versions and corrections
The Yue Lao lots found online nearly all come from one copy, down to the same mistakes, such as 維熊維罷, 援勤之桃 and 猶緣大而魚也. Because every lot is a quotation, we checked each one against its original book. Where a character was clearly miscopied and makes no sense, we restored the original (羆, 援琴之挑, 緣木而求魚); 21 lots were corrected this way. Where the circulating text deliberately rewords the source or uses an accepted variant character (Lot 13 reads 山窮水盡疑無路, where Lu You wrote 山重水複), we keep the lot as it is and note the original. Each lot page lists the changes.
Three common misunderstandings
Yue Lao lots are just ordinary fortune poems drawn at a Yue Lao shrine.
They are a separate set: quotations from old books, for love questions only. When you draw at a Yue Lao shrine, check which set your slip belongs to.
A "poor" lot means you will never find love.
Poor lots mostly warn about approach or timing. "Like climbing a tree to catch fish" says the method is wrong; change the method and the outcome can change.
Once you have prayed to Yue Lao and drawn a good lot, you need not try.
A lot is a blessing and a reminder. A relationship still takes two people working at it.
Browse lot by lot
Lot King · Lot King
Lot 1 · Excellent, great fortune
Lot 2 · Fair
Lot 3 · Excellent, great fortune
Lot 4 · Fair
Lot 5 · Good
Lot 6 · Very good
Lot 7 · Good
Lot 8 · Fair to good
Lot 9 · Poor
Lot 10 · Good
Lot 11 · Fair, steady
Lot 12 · Fair
Lot 13 · Good
Lot 14 · Excellent
Lot 15 · Fair
Lot 16 · Excellent
Lot 17 · Fair
Lot 18 · Good
Lot 19 · Fair
Lot 20 · Good
Lot 21 · Excellent
Lot 22 · Excellent, great fortune
Lot 23 · Fair
Lot 24 · Fair
Lot 25 · Good
Lot 26 · Excellent
Lot 27 · Good, steady
Lot 28 · Good
Lot 29 · Fair, steady
Lot 30 · Fair
Lot 31 · Fair, steady
Lot 32 · Good
Lot 33 · Excellent
Lot 34 · Fair, steady
Lot 35 · Poor
Lot 36 · Good
Lot 37 · Fair
Lot 38 · Very good
Lot 39 · Good
Lot 40 · Fair
Lot 41 · Good, steady
Lot 42 · Fair
Lot 43 · Very good
Lot 44 · Good
Lot 45 · Good
Lot 46 · Fair to good
Lot 47 · Fair
Lot 48 · Very good
Lot 49 · Good, steady
Lot 50 · Fair
Lot 51 · Good
Lot 52 · Excellent, great fortune
Lot 53 · Excellent
Lot 54 · Fair
Lot 55 · Good
Lot 56 · Excellent
Lot 57 · Excellent
Lot 58 · Fair
Lot 59 · Fair
Lot 60 · Fair
Lot 61 · Good
Lot 62 · Excellent, great fortune
Lot 63 · Fair, steady
Lot 64 · Good, steady
Lot 65 · Good, steady
Lot 66 · Fair
Lot 67 · Good
Lot 68 · Good, steady
Lot 69 · Fair
Lot 70 · Good, steady
Lot 71 · Fair to good
Lot 72 · Poor
Lot 73 · Very good
Lot 74 · Fair
Lot 75 · Poor
Lot 76 · Good
Lot 77 · Good
Lot 78 · Fair
Lot 79 · Good
Lot 80 · Good
Lot 81 · Fair
Lot 82 · Excellent
Lot 83 · Poor
Lot 84 · Good, steady
Lot 85 · Excellent, great fortune
Lot 86 · Fair
Lot 87 · Poor
Lot 88 · Fair
Lot 89 · Fair
Lot 90 · Good
Lot 91 · Good
Lot 92 · Fair
Lot 93 · Excellent
Lot 94 · Fair
Lot 95 · Good
Lot 96 · Excellent
Lot 97 · Fair
Lot 98 · Good
Lot 99 · Fair
Lot 100 · Excellent
A straight word: fortune lots are a matter of faith, and the meanings here are ours
The Chinese text was compared across three circulating versions and checked line by line against the original books (the Book of Songs, the Four Books, the Zuo Zhuan, the Romance of the Western Chamber and others). We only corrected characters that were clearly miscopied, and every page shows the circulating wording wherever we changed it. Grades follow the circulating text; we add no fortune-telling of our own. The translations, background notes and plain-English meanings are our own reading, not the temple's official interpretation. For a real reading, ask at the temple where you drew the lot. For legal, medical or financial questions, see a professional. Everything on this site is for reference and entertainment.
Beyond the lot: your two charts
Enter two birth dates to compare your BaZi charts for free: how your Five Elements balance, how your Day Pillars get along, and what to watch for.
Yue Lao oracle: questions
How many lots does the Yue Lao oracle have?
One hundred numbered lots plus one Lot King, 101 in all.
What is Yue Lao oracle lot 1?
Lot 1, graded excellent, great fortune: 「關關雎鳩，在河之洲。窈窕淑女，君子好逑。」 The ospreys call to each other, on an island in the river, a graceful, gentle young woman, is a fine match for a good man. It opens the Book of Songs.
Why are the lots so short and hard to understand?
Because each lot is a line quoted from an old book, not a poem written for the oracle. Start with what the original passage is about, then apply it to your own situation; every lot on this site has that background and a plain-English meaning.
What is the Lot King?
The Lot King reads 「佳偶天成，神仙美眷也。夫復何求？」 A perfect match, made by heaven, a pair as blessed as the immortals, what more could anyone ask? It means a match made in heaven.
What if I cannot understand my lot?
Ask the interpreter at the temple where you drew it. Every lot on this site has an English translation and a plain-English meaning you can read first.