Guanyin Oracle · Lot 94

Cautionary

What it means

A lot of choosing your confidants carefully. People are complicated now and gossip spreads easily; you needn't open your heart to everyone, only to those who understand you. Boya and Ziqi knew each other through music, a rare gift. Stay quiet, ignore idle matters, and open up when a true friend or helper appears.

By matter

Line by line

1. 小人君子別賢愚
   Tell the petty from the noble, the wise from the foolish.
2. 事有差訛合是非
   When things go wrong, disputes arise.
3. 琴遇知音當鼓操
   Play only when you meet one who understands your music.
4. 爭如定靜得便宜
   Better to be calm and still; that is the real gain.

Classic commentary

此卦要逢知己之象。凡事守常則吉也。

知音方許。閑事莫理。待得貴人。無不歡喜。

The image: seeking a true friend; keep to the usual and all is well. The verdict: open up only to one who understands; ignore idle matters; when the right person comes, there is joy.

The story · Boya Visits His Friend

The musician Yu Boya, moored one night, played the zither, and the woodcutter Zhong Ziqi heard in it soaring mountains and flowing water. They became soulmates and promised to meet the next year. When Boya returned, Ziqi had died; Boya smashed his zither at the grave and never played again.

Reference: Lot 94 of the Guanyin Oracle at Mengjia Longshan Temple, Taipei, with its traditional image, verdict, guidance and story. Story summaries are our own.