The Sleepy Immortal

Chinese fortune poems, one page each

Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy

Guanyin Fortune Poem No. 52: Li Bai, Tipsy, Reaches for the Moon in the Water

Guanyin Fortune Poem No. 52 is rated Fair Fortune, and its story is “Li Bai, Tipsy, Reaches for the Moon in the Water”. In plain words: Look closely before you reach. Is what you want the moon in the sky, or just its reflection in the water?

Fair Fortune
Reaching for the moon in the water takes great effort.You spend all your strength, and still there's nothing.Don't trust idle talk or wild opinions;you'll pour your heart out and still come up empty.

Original Chinese

水中捉月費工夫費盡功夫卻又無莫信閑言併浪論枉拋心力也難圖

What it says about…

Love
Listen less to outsiders and more to the person beside you.
Career
You've been worn out lately. Take care of your body first, and keep your sleep for yourself.
Money
Money is ordinary, nothing big, and deals are hard. Don't force it.
Health
See a doctor if you feel unwell. I'll pray for your peace and safety too.
Family
Leave the gossip you heard at the door. No need to bring it home and fight over it.

The story behind it

Li Bai, Tipsy, Reaches for the Moon in the Water

Video

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Questions people ask

Is Guanyin Fortune Poem No. 52 a good fortune?

It is rated Fair Fortune. Look closely before you reach. Is what you want the moon in the sky, or just its reflection in the water? A fortune poem is a reminder, not an order. The choice is yours.

What does Guanyin Fortune Poem No. 52 say about love?

Listen less to outsiders and more to the person beside you.

What does Guanyin Fortune Poem No. 52 say in English?

Reaching for the moon in the water takes great effort. / You spend all your strength, and still there's nothing. / Don't trust idle talk or wild opinions; / you'll pour your heart out and still come up empty.

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