The Sleepy Immortal

Chinese fortune poems, one page each

Mazu's Fortune Poems

Mazu Fortune Poem No. 23: Everyone knows a ship relies on the gods.

Mazu Fortune Poem No. 23 is paired with the Li · Fire hexagram. In plain words: A boat needs the gods' protection and your own care. Getting ready in calm times keeps you safer than straining in the rapids.

Li · Fire
Everyone knows a ship relies on the gods.Still, keep a careful hand on the rudder and anchor.Don't wait for the rapids to start pulling hard.Get ready in calm hours, and trouble stays away.

Original Chinese

行船共識賴神明舵錠常教要小心莫道急流方着力閒中打點免災侵

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Questions people ask

Is Mazu Fortune Poem No. 23 a good fortune?

This set is not ranked from good to bad here. What matters is the reminder: A boat needs the gods' protection and your own care. Getting ready in calm times keeps you safer than straining in the rapids. The choice is yours.

What does Mazu Fortune Poem No. 23 say in English?

Everyone knows a ship relies on the gods. / Still, keep a careful hand on the rudder and anchor. / Don't wait for the rapids to start pulling hard. / Get ready in calm hours, and trouble stays away.

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