The 100 Thunder-and-Rain Fortune Poems: all 100 poems explained

The 100 Thunder-and-Rain Fortune Poems has 100 poems. A hundred poems, numbered with pairs of Heavenly Stems, about timing and when to move. Each one has its own page with the poem in English and Chinese, a plain-English reading, advice for common questions, and the story behind it. Tap a number to read it.

What each poem is about

• No. 1 Liu Bang Enters the Pass; The Eighteen Scholars Reach Yingzhou
  Things are looking up, and helpful people will notice you
• No. 2 Zhang Liang Wanders with Master Red Pine; Han Shizhong Rides a Donkey by West Lake
  The time is right and your luck is rising
• No. 3 Jia Yi Meets Emperor Wen of Han; Zhang Gongyi's Nine Generations Under One Roof
  You'll have what you need, so there's no need to worry so much
• No. 4 The Young Prince of Qin Leaps the Stream Three Times; Zhang Han Misses the Perch of Home
  This year asks a little more of you
• No. 5 Lü Mengzheng Waits Out Hard Times
  A quiet, cold season doesn't mean something is wrong with you
• No. 6 Lin Xiangru Returns the Jade Intact to Zhao
  There's still some doubt between you and others right now
• No. 7 Lü Dongbin Makes the Elixir
  You have a natural gift, and you've found a good guide
• No. 8 Shun Plows at Mount Li; Yi Yin Farms at Shen and Delights in the Way
  Those years with no harvest weren't wasted
• No. 9 Emperor Taizu of Song Takes the Throne at Chenqiao; Zhang Chang Paints His Wife's Eyebrows
  The good news you've been waiting for is close, and the joy will show on your face
• No. 10 Ran Boniu Falls Ill; Meng Jiao Passes the Exam at Fifty
  When your body says it's tired, stop and take care of it
• No. 11 Han Xin's Glory Does Not Last; Sun Bin Meets Pang Juan
  When good things come, keep an eye out for changes you can't see yet
• No. 12 Su Wu Tends Sheep; Bao Shuya Recommends Guan Zhong
  If your plans don't go as hoped, don't lose heart
• No. 13 Jiang Taigong Goes Fishing
  Your luck hasn't opened up yet
• No. 14 Guo Hua Falls for Wang Yueying; The Friendship of Zhang Er and Chen Yu
  That first spark is lovely, but only later do you see how warm or cold people can be
• No. 15 Zhang Junrui Longs for Yingying
  Being a good match on paper isn't what matters most
• No. 16 Wang Xiang Lies on the Ice
  If a dispute can't be settled right now, pause it and get back to your own work
• No. 17 The Downfall of Shi Chong
  If there's a disagreement, talk it through, because going to court hurts both sides
• No. 18 Lord Mengchang Gathers Talent; Wang You Plants Three Pagoda Trees
  What you have in mind is still a bit up in the air
• No. 19 Liu Zhiyuan Marries Miss Yue; Pei Hang Meets an Immortal
  You've waited a long time, and this year your luck has arrived
• No. 20 Yan Ziling Climbs the Fishing Terrace
  When you don't know who to tell your worries to, let them float away on the water
• No. 21 Sun Bin and Pang Juan Become Rivals; Xu Jia Wrongs Fan Ju
  There's a knot between you and certain people, and you don't have to force it
• No. 22 Li Bai Meets Emperor Xuanzong of Tang; Li Mi Writes a Long Poem at Seven
  You're like a white lotus in the pond, with a light all your own
• No. 23 The King of Wu Loves Xi Shi; Yin Hao Writes in the Air
  Flowers bloom and fall in their time, and good days come and go
• No. 24 Zhang Qian Wanders into the Star Palace; Duanmu Ci's Grand Carriages
  Spring's worries will slowly clear, and summer starts to go your way
• No. 25 Emperor Xuanzong Visits the Moon Palace; Passing the Exam Beneath the Hibiscus Mirror
  Some stretches feel stuck, but things start to flow in winter
• No. 26 Shao Yong Speaks to Heaven
  A poor harvest doesn't mean the field is bad, or that you are
• No. 27 Finding the Way East of the River; Xiang Zhongshan Pays for the Water His Horse Drinks
  Don't take even a penny that isn't yours, and however capable you are, play by the rules
• No. 28 Sima Xiangru Writes on the Bridge
  Where you come from doesn't decide everything
• No. 29 Sima Guang Sighs Over Hard Times; Wang Xiaoxian Returns the Concubine and Gives Gold
  The good you have now was built with help from those before us
• No. 30 Liu Yi Delivers the Letter
  Do your part honestly and don't rush
• No. 31 Su Qing Breaks His Promise; Di Renjie Gazes at the White Clouds and Misses His Parents
  Autumn and winter are ordinary, but once spring comes, things at home slowly brighten
• No. 32 The Duke of Zhou Explains Dreams
  Your heart is tired these days, and things feel like a dream
• No. 33 Zhuangzi Longs for the Way
  It's okay if you can't see the way for a while
• No. 34 Xiao He Chases After Han Xin
  When your mind is a mess, someone will reach out to help
• No. 35 Wang Zhaojun Marries Beyond the Border
  When life feels most complete, the people beside us deserve a closer look
• No. 36 Luo Yin Seeks Office; Xie An Rests at Ease on East Mountain
  You can reach success on your own, so don't worry too much about the pushes along the way
• No. 37 Shao Yong Offers Incense; Zhou Chu Shoots the Tiger and Fights the River Dragon
  You know best what's right and wrong
• No. 38 Lady Meng Jiang Misses Her Husband; Guan Panpan in the Swallow Tower
  The waiting feels long and lonely
• No. 39 Tao Yuanming Admires the Chrysanthemums
  A settled life is enough, so be careful right from the start
• No. 40 Emperor Guangwu Is Trapped at Kunyang
  You've turned a new page, so walk at your own pace without following anyone
• No. 41 Liu Wenlong Seeks Office; Li Gu's Robe Dyed by Willow Sap
  You've run around everywhere and still can't find a ladder up, but don't rush
• No. 42 Dong Yong Sells Himself into Service; Ban Chao Throws Down His Brush to Join the Army
  Something you thought would go well went sideways
• No. 43 Liu Bei Attends the Feast at Yellow Crane Tower; Chen Ping Escapes and Joins Han
  Things are coming at you fast, and there may be a few scares on the way
• No. 44 Wang Mang Seizes the Han Throne; Zhang Liang's Hammer at Bolang
  You're a lucky person at heart, so don't lose heart over one mistake
• No. 45 Liu Bang Meets Ding Gong; Xiahou Ying, Lord Teng's Chamber
  Tend your own heart well, because even the best feng shui can't beat a good heart
• No. 46 The Orphan Rights the Wrong; Ma Yuan Marches South
  A high position doesn't always mean a happier life, and riding an ox slowly can feel freer
• No. 47 Chu and Han Battle for the Throne
  If there's a dispute, try to settle it peacefully, because a lawsuit wears out both sides
• No. 48 Zhao Wuniang Searches for Her Husband; Dou Changjun Comes to Chang'an
  It's cold, the road is hard, and things at home feel unsettled
• No. 49 Zhang Liang Goes into Hiding
  Someone close can feel a mountain away
• No. 50 Su Dongpo Advises the People; Niu Hong Pays No Mind to the Ox That Was Shot
  This year is better than last, but still handle things with care
• No. 51 The Red Leaf in the Palace Stream
  Let things happen in their own time, and stop sighing over what didn't go well
• No. 52 Kuang Heng Studies at Night; Deng Yu Crosses the River with His Staff
  The nights alone by a single lamp are almost over, and good news comes in autumn
• No. 53 Liu Bei Marries Sun Quan's Sister
  While you're living under someone else's roof, take good care of yourself
• No. 54 Su Qin Fails and Keeps Himself Awake to Study; Su Qin Petitions the King Ten Times
  You want to fly high, but the wind isn't right yet
• No. 55 Judge Bao Encourages the Farmers
  What grows steadily, year after year, lasts the longest
• No. 56 The Scheming Minister Wang; Zhang Gang Buries His Carriage Wheels
  If you're in the wrong, don't double down, and keep away from people who twist the truth
• No. 57 Watching the Immortals Play Chess Till the Axe Handle Rots; The Four Elders Secure the Crown Prince
  When too much is going on, don't take in too many opinions
• No. 58 Su Qin Carries His Sword
  Your words and your skills are enough to make your own way
• No. 59 Deng Bodao Has No Son
  When things feel lonely and your prayers seem unanswered, don't lose heart
• No. 60 Song Jiao and His Brother Pass the Exam Together
  Your siblings and family have a good name, so stay humble and don't brag
• No. 61 Kuai Che Meets Han Xin; General Ji Zun's Songs and Pitch-Pot Games
  When difficult people show up, don't panic; good people have nothing to fear
• No. 62 Han Xin Battles the Hegemon-King; Li Su Enters Caizhou on a Snowy Night
  Things around you are complicated, so stay alert
• No. 63 Old General Yang at the Li Ling Stele; Lian Po and the State of Zhao
  Losing before doesn't mean you'll lose again, and you still have the strength to carry on
• No. 64 Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya Share the Gold; Lu Zhonglian Settles a Dispute
  To get something done, find the right people first, then talk things through
• No. 65 Lü Mengzheng's Poem at Mulan; Ma Zhou Offers His Advice
  Even in the coldest winter, there's joy at your door
• No. 66 Du Fu Enjoys the Spring; Zhuge Liang Lives Quietly in Nanyang
  Work in the place you know best; you don't need to look far away
• No. 67 Jiang's Last Words to His Sons; Su Qiong Sheds Tears
  Heaven knows the moment a thought crosses your mind, so there's no need to keep doubting
• No. 68 King Qian Sells Salt; Lü Buwei and the Rare Goods
  You've earned well these past years, so quit while you're ahead, buy land, and settle down
• No. 69 Sun Bin and Pang Juan Match Wits; Xiao and Zhu Fall Out
  Take the steadier road, and don't run around with people who only want to play
• No. 70 Wang Zeng Prays; Dai Pingzhong's Prayer Moves Heaven
  Once you've prayed sincerely, don't doubt it
• No. 71 Su Wu Returns Home
  The magpie brings good news: someone far away wants to come home, and your reunion is near
• No. 72 Fan Li Retires to the Lakes; Xunzi Travels to Study at Fifty
  The road is bumpy right now, and it's okay to walk slowly
• No. 73 Wang Zhaojun Remembers the Han Emperor; The Lord of Qi Marches on Cai
  A promise you once shared has gone quiet, and holding on too tightly only hurts more
• No. 74 Cui Wu Seeks Office; Dou Yujun and the Osmanthus Branch
  However high the mountain, you'll come and go safely
• No. 75 Miss Liu Loves Lü Mengzheng; Liang Hong Marries Meng Guang
  A good match feels close from the very first meeting, and you meet as equals
• No. 76 Xiao He Writes the Laws; Shentu Jia Summons Deng Tong
  The good road and the bad road are both yours to choose
• No. 77 Empress Lü Brings Down Han Xin; Bo Zhouli Raises and Lowers His Hand
  Trace things back to where they started, and don't listen to idle gossip
• No. 78 Yuan An Endures Hard Times; Shi Chong's Silk Curtains
  When home is comfortable, keep a sense of balance inside too, because more money isn't…
• No. 79 Emperor Shenzong of Song's Mistake at Ox Head Mountain
  Look carefully at your living space; set it up right and you'll feel settled
• No. 80 Tao Kan and the Resting Ox
  If trouble suddenly comes, don't panic
• No. 81 Lord Kou Posted to Leiyang
  Pay back what you borrow
• No. 82 Emperor Renzong Recognizes His Mother; Tao Kan's Mother Cuts Her Hair to Host a Guest
  The other person is talented too, so be open and generous with them
• No. 83 Zhuge Liang Studies the Way; Yan Junping Lowers the Curtain at His Fortune Stall
  If you have porridge, be content, and don't torment yourself over wild hopes
• No. 84 Xu Jia Wrongs Fan Ju; Miao Tong Shuts the Door and Blames Himself
  When things are messy, take a moment to think a step ahead
• No. 85 Lady Meng Jiang Searches for Her Husband
  Hold on to what you already have, and don't rush to trade a little for more
• No. 86 Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya in Trade; Tao Zhu and Yi Dun Make Their Living
  Money is coming, a little at a time, as long as you keep an honest heart in business
• No. 87 Zhuge Liang and Lu Su in the Same Boat
  Watch what's behind a smiling face, and if someone is scheming, protect yourself first
• No. 88 Gao Wending Waits Out Hard Times; The Tilting Vessel in the Zhou Temple
  The days of working for nothing are over, and things start going well in the new spring
• No. 89 Ban Chao Returns Through Jade Gate Pass; Ning Qi Feeds the Ox
  If your time hasn't come yet, relax and sing a little
• No. 90 Yang Wenguang Trapped at Liuzhou; The Old Man at the Border Loses His Horse
  Other people have a mess on their hands, and you're doing fine
• No. 91 Zhao Yun Carries the Young Prince; The God in Red Nods in Secret
  You find gold by washing sand
• No. 92 Liu Bang Governs the People of Han; Fu Bi Saves the Refugees
  Winter will pass, and the coldest day is the day things turn
• No. 93 Shao Yong Reads Yin and Yang; King Gaozong of Shang Finds Fu Yue
  Too much rain or too little, both are hard, so hold on a little longer
• No. 94 Ti Jie Passes the Elder's Gate; Tiansuizi Is Called to Court
  Ordinary tools can make fine things in the right hands
• No. 95 Zhang Wenyuan Seeks Office; Emperor Wen Values Zhang Shizhi
  You have a treasure inside you, and the timing came a little late
• No. 96 Shan Tao Meets Wang Yan; Lord Yu Raises His Gate High
  Don't think it's too late for marriage or children
• No. 97 Zhu Maichen Finds Success at Fifty; Spilled Water Can't Be Gathered Back
  You thought it was too late, but good luck is coming after you
• No. 98 Xue Rengui Joins the Army; Zhang Qian Rafts to the Stars
  You're busy and worn out, and your luck hasn't turned yet
• No. 99 Baili Xi Goes to Qin
  You'll meet a helper where you least expect it, and a quiet friendship grows richer over…
• No. 100 Emperor Mingzong of Tang Prays to Heaven; Zhao Kaidao Burns Incense to Heaven
  Sincere prayers are always answered