Wong Tai Sin No. 49 Fortune Stick
Sima Xiangru Inscribes the Bridge
In ancient times, Sima Xiangru spent ten years under the window, diligently studying, yet remained poor and unrecognized.
Wong Tai Sin No. 49 Fortune Stick
Sima Xiangru Inscribes the Bridge
A decade of diligent study beneath the window bears fruit,
yet lofty aspirations are hard to fulfill and ambitions are not light.
Behold the thirteen characters inscribed upon the bridge,
a lifelong vow of the heart, truly born of deep passion.
Wong Tai Sin No. 49 Fortune Stick
Sima Xiangru Inscribes the Bridge
A decade of diligent study beneath the window bears fruit,
yet lofty aspirations are hard to fulfill and ambitions are not light.
Behold the thirteen characters inscribed upon the bridge,
a lifelong vow of the heart, truly born of deep passion.
ALLUSION
Allusion
Sima Xiangru, a talented scholar of the Han Dynasty, spent ten years under the window diligently studying, remaining poor and unrecognized. He was a man of high ambition. Therefore, when crossing a bridge on his way to Shu, he inscribed thirteen characters on a bridge pillar: 'If one day I do not ride in a high carriage drawn by four horses, I will not cross this bridge.' Later, he was appointed to office by Emperor Wu of Han, achieving great nobility and returning home in glory, crossing this bridge. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Those who draw this lot must establish their own firm resolve in all matters and must not shun hard work. Naturally, there will be difficulty first, then ease. Heaven has never betrayed a good-hearted person. If one can cultivate goodness, the retribution will be even more rapid. This lot aims to praise those with firm determination who are willing to struggle long-term.
Judging by this lot, all matters have good fortune and no misfortune. It shares the same meaning as the eighty-fifth lot, presenting a scene of happiness and satisfaction. Sima Xiangru of the Han Dynasty was a native of Chengdu. Before achieving recognition, he once encountered a bridge and saw the carriages and horses of the noble making a clamor. He sighed and said, 'A real man should be like this.' Thus, he inscribed the bridge to express his ambition. He wrote 'Rhapsody on Sir Vacuous' and 'Rhapsody on the Imperial Park.' Emperor Wu read and praised them, summoning him for an audience and appointing him as a court gentleman. When Tang Meng caused alarm and disturbance in Ba and Shu, Sima Xiangru was sent to reprimand him. The emperor then appointed Sima Xiangru as General of the Household. Later, someone submitted a memorial accusing Sima Xiangru of accepting bribes while on his mission. He lost his official position for over a year before being recalled as a court gentleman.
INTERPRETATION
Reading the sign
Original text
Wealth can be sought; illness can be treated
The traveler returns; gradually there is a timeframe
The household is stable; pregnancy is joyful
For planned endeavors, one should strive with determination
Silkworms and livestock yield slight profit
Ask about marriage: only somewhat satisfactory
Ask about feng shui: gradually it will flourish
Ask about lost items: diligent search can yield results
Ask about oneself: sweetness comes from bitterness
Ask about the weather: plainness transforms into flavor
Ask about travel: where there is a will, there is a way
Plain-language signals
- Feng Shui
- Gradually, prosperity and success will flourish.
- Lost Items
- With diligent searching, the lost item can be found.
- Self
- From hardship comes sweetness.
- Heaven's Timing
- A bland situation will transform into something flavorful.
- Travel
- Where there's a will, there's a way for the journey.
- Planning Affairs
- To succeed, one must put in considerable effort.
- Wealth Luck
- There is financial luck, but one should not be overly greedy.
- Children
- There will be the joy of pregnancy.
- Academic Studies
- Put in more hard work, and academic performance will show improvement.
- Career
- As long as there is determination, opportunities will always appear.
- Marriage Fate
- Marriage fate arrives; the one before your eyes will be the choice of your heart.
- Household
- Family members are safe and healthy.
- Illness
- The illness will receive treatment and be cured.
FAQ
FAQ
What does Wong Tai Sin Sign 49, “Sima Xiangru Inscribes the Bridge,” mean?
Start with the interpretation: In ancient times, Sima Xiangru spent ten years under the window, diligently studying, yet remained poor and unrecognized. 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: Sima Xiangru, a talented scholar of the Han Dynasty, spent ten years under the window diligently studying, remaining poor and unrecognized.
Is Wong Tai Sin Sign 49 a lucky sign?
Its formal level is “Above Average.” That gives you a starting point, but the practical reading is still about In ancient times, Sima Xiangru spent ten years under the window, diligently studying, yet remained poor and unrecognized. In other words, this sign is more useful as a grounded reading of your current question than as a vague lucky-or-unlucky label.
What does Wong Tai Sin Sign 49 suggest for planning and career?
In the plain-language signals for this sign, planning is “To succeed, one must put in considerable effort.” and career is “As long as there is determination, opportunities will always appear..” 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.
What does Wong Tai Sin Sign 49 say about wealth, business, and timing?
For money and execution, the sign reads wealth as “There is financial luck, but one should not be overly 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.
What does Wong Tai Sin Sign 49 suggest for relationships and marriage?
For relationship questions, the sign gives marriage as “Marriage fate arrives; the one before your eyes will be the choice of your heart.” and household or relationship atmosphere as “Family members are safe and healthy..” 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.
What should I do after reading Wong Tai Sin Sign 49?
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.
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