Lu Ban's Admonition

Start with the interpretation: The trees of Mount Niu were once fine, yet woodcutters felled them all. Even when large timber remains, it is of little use if it does not meet the line and measure. The allusion matters too, because this sign should be understood through the people, circumstances, and timing behind the poem, not only as a lucky or unlucky label. The story context also points to this: The timber of Mount Niu was of excellent quality, yet it was cut down without care. Although large pieces remained, they were no longer fit for proper use because they had not been handled according to rule and measure.

Its formal level is “Average.” That gives you a starting point, but the practical reading is still about The trees of Mount Niu were once fine, yet woodcutters felled them all. Even when large timber remains, it is of little use if it does not meet the line and measure. In other words, this sign is more useful as a grounded reading of your current question than as a vague lucky-or-unlucky label.

In the plain-language signals for this sign, planning is “Do not seek fame and fortune; it is better to maintain the status quo.” and career is “Secure a livelihood and settle down, cannot make extravagant demands..” If your question is about a project, a role change, work momentum, or professional direction, these two lines are more useful than only asking whether the sign is good or bad.

For money and execution, the sign reads wealth as “Do not be greedy.” and business or dealings as “read it inside your deal or timing question.” If you are asking about revenue, cooperation, negotiation, signing, or whether the timing is right, these signals are the clearest plain-language reading on the page.

For relationship questions, the sign gives marriage as “Marriage fate has not yet arrived.” and household or relationship atmosphere as “Must perform more good deeds..” If you are weighing a bond, a commitment, or the direction of a relationship, these two signals are the best place to start your reading.

Read the poem, the allusion, and the plain-language fortune signals as one whole answer to the same question. First decide what you are really asking, then use this sign to judge where to move, where to wait, and where to leave room. If you want to keep going, continue the same question inside Cantian AI for a fuller reading flow.