Guanyin Oracle · Lot 88

Balanced

What it means

A lot of false alarms. What frightens you is mostly appearance, with little real harm; but a guilty conscience magnifies fear. Pang Hong dreaded Judge Bao because he was guilty, and the truth came out. Keep a clear conscience and do good; after a stretch of unease, things will settle.

By matter

Line by line

1. 木雕一虎在山林
   In the forest stands a carved wooden tiger.
2. 遠望威容意不禁
   From afar its fierce look makes you tremble.
3. 縱說不妨終可畏
   Though harmless, it still frightens,
4. 此身如入大江心
   like being in the middle of a great river.

Classic commentary

此卦林木虎有威之象。凡事虛驚少實也。

爐頭點雪。似耳邊風。可宜作福。后吉前凶。

The image: a wooden tiger looking fierce in the woods; more scare than substance. The verdict: like a snowflake on a stove or wind past the ear; do good and pray; bad first, good later.

The story · Pang Hong Fears Judge Bao

Under Emperor Renzong, the imperial father-in-law Pang Hong framed the general Di Qing. When Judge Bao of Kaifeng asked to hear the case, the guilty Pang was terrified and obstructed him at every turn. The truth came out in the end. Those with a guilty conscience fear even a wooden tiger.

Reference: Lot 88 of the Guanyin Oracle at Mengjia Longshan Temple, Taipei, with its traditional image, verdict, guidance and story. Story summaries are our own.