The Sleepy Immortal

Chinese fortune poems, one page each

Mazu's Fortune Poems

Mazu Fortune Poem No. 53: At the rapids, the pole must move fast.

Mazu Fortune Poem No. 53 is paired with the Ming Yi · Darkening of the Light hexagram. In plain words: At the rapids, the boatman has to grip tight. Get through these waves, and your real skill will show.

Ming Yi · Darkening of the Light
At the rapids, the pole must move fast.The boatman must hold the anchor even tighter.Only once you're through the wind and wavescan anyone see how skilled the sailor is.

Original Chinese

急水灘前快若篙艄公把錠更應牢須教出得風波險方見舟師手段高

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Questions people ask

Is Mazu Fortune Poem No. 53 a good fortune?

This set is not ranked from good to bad here. What matters is the reminder: At the rapids, the boatman has to grip tight. Get through these waves, and your real skill will show. The choice is yours.

What does Mazu Fortune Poem No. 53 say in English?

At the rapids, the pole must move fast. / The boatman must hold the anchor even tighter. / Only once you're through the wind and waves / can anyone see how skilled the sailor is.

Different temples may use slightly different versions.

A fortune poem is a reminder, not an order. The choice is yours.

Chinese poem font: Wang Han-zong Li Shu (GPL v2), with a few added glyphs