Guanyin Oracle · Lot 8

Auspicious

What it means

This lot speaks of slow ripening and deep roots. Today's frost is tempering you; hold to your resolve and you will become a pillar. Fan Zhongyan chose divided porridge over comfort and became a great minister. Keep building, and don't envy others' quick success.

By matter

Line by line

1. 歲寒松柏古栽培
   Pines and cypresses that endure winter, long cultivated.
2. 雨雪風霜總不摧
   Rain, snow, wind and frost cannot break them.
3. 異日必當成大用
   One day they will surely be put to great use.
4. 功名作個棟樑材
   With success and honour, a pillar of the house.

Classic commentary

此卦松柏茂林之象。凡事有貴氣也。

路上亨通。終身有功。田蠶豐熟。家道興隆。

The image: a flourishing grove of pines and cypresses; nobility in all things. The verdict: smooth roads and lifelong achievement; rich harvests and a prospering family.

The story · Fan Zhongyan's Divided Porridge

In the Northern Song, the young Fan Zhongyan studied in poverty at Yingtian. Each day he cooked a pot of porridge, let it set, cut it into four, and ate two pieces morning and evening with a few chopped pickles. When a friend brought fine food, he left it untouched, saying he feared that once used to it he could no longer bear plain porridge. He became one of the great statesmen of his age.

Reference: Lot 8 of the Guanyin Oracle at Mengjia Longshan Temple, Taipei, with its traditional image, verdict, guidance and story. Story summaries are our own.