The Sleepy Immortal

Chinese fortune poems, one page each

Mazu's Fortune Poems

Mazu Fortune Poem No. 86: Raised on rivers, you're used to steering boats.

Mazu Fortune Poem No. 86 is paired with the Bi · Holding Together hexagram. In plain words: Even water you know well can change. All goes well when things are calm, but when there's friction, be careful and don't push it.

Bi · Holding Together
Raised on rivers, you're used to steering boats.Who knew the water could turn in so many ways?If you meet the Green Dragon, all will be well.Clash with the White Tiger, and your heart goes cold.

Original Chinese

生長江河慣御船誰知翻覆有多端青龍若遇當無恙白虎相沖心膽寒

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Questions people ask

Is Mazu Fortune Poem No. 86 a good fortune?

This set is not ranked from good to bad here. What matters is the reminder: Even water you know well can change. All goes well when things are calm, but when there's friction, be careful and don't push it. The choice is yours.

What does Mazu Fortune Poem No. 86 say in English?

Raised on rivers, you're used to steering boats. / Who knew the water could turn in so many ways? / If you meet the Green Dragon, all will be well. / Clash with the White Tiger, and your heart goes cold.

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