The Sleepy Immortal

Chinese fortune poems, one page each

The 60 Jiazi Fortune Poems

Jiazi Fortune Poem No. 13: The Last Battles of General Li Guang and His Son

Jiazi Fortune Poem No. 13 is the Bingzi poem of the 60-year cycle, and its story is “The Last Battles of General Li Guang and His Son”. In plain words: When you're stuck, pull back and wait for the tide to lift the boat. Falling just short doesn't mean you're not good enough.

Bingzi
Your fate has reached the gate of the Luo and Bei stars.You try every way, and still find no rest.Even prayers and good deeds can't carry you through.Like a boat pushed upstream onto the high shoals.

Original Chinese

命內正逢羅孛關用盡心機總未安作福問神難得過恰是行舟上高灘

What it says about…

Overall luck
You're passing through a hard gate. Don't force big moves. Some say it loosens after the sixth lunar month.
Love
Like rowing upstream, it takes two. If only one is rowing, stop and talk.
Business
Short-term deals work. Sell what you have, and hold off on big long-term bets.
Work
You may be put somewhere you don't like. It's okay to talk it out with someone you trust.
Buying a home
Set this one aside. If you love it, look again with family and a professional.
Health
Stop pushing through. Rest when you're tired, and see a doctor if you feel unwell.
Exams
You may pass, but the school or result may not be what you expected.
Legal disputes
Better not to push it, as it only gets harder. Talk first and keep your evidence.
Family
Things improve after midyear. If someone at home feels wronged, help them cool down first.

The story behind it

The Last Battles of General Li Guang and His Son

Video

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Questions people ask

Is Jiazi Fortune Poem No. 13 a good fortune?

This set is not ranked from good to bad here. What matters is the reminder: When you're stuck, pull back and wait for the tide to lift the boat. Falling just short doesn't mean you're not good enough. The choice is yours.

What does Jiazi Fortune Poem No. 13 say about love?

Like rowing upstream, it takes two. If only one is rowing, stop and talk.

What does Jiazi Fortune Poem No. 13 say in English?

Your fate has reached the gate of the Luo and Bei stars. / You try every way, and still find no rest. / Even prayers and good deeds can't carry you through. / Like a boat pushed upstream onto the high shoals.

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