The Sleepy Immortal

Chinese fortune poems, one page each

Mazu's Fortune Poems

Mazu Fortune Poem No. 7: Wind and cloud fill your eyes; you can't see an arm's length.

Mazu Fortune Poem No. 7 is paired with the Gui Mei · The Marrying Maiden hexagram. In plain words: When it's foggy and you can't tell where to go, turn the boat back first. Don't force your way through the waves; staying safe comes first.

Gui Mei · The Marrying Maiden
Wind and cloud fill your eyes; you can't see an arm's length.Why wander so lost? Where is it you mean to go?Better to turn the bow around, and quickly,and spare yourself the wild waves that shake your courage.

Original Chinese

滿目風雲咫尺迷胡為惘惘欲何之不如急把船頭轉省得狂波破膽時

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Questions people ask

Is Mazu Fortune Poem No. 7 a good fortune?

This set is not ranked from good to bad here. What matters is the reminder: When it's foggy and you can't tell where to go, turn the boat back first. Don't force your way through the waves; staying safe comes first. The choice is yours.

What does Mazu Fortune Poem No. 7 say in English?

Wind and cloud fill your eyes; you can't see an arm's length. / Why wander so lost? Where is it you mean to go? / Better to turn the bow around, and quickly, / and spare yourself the wild waves that shake your courage.

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