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Sign 45
Wong Tai Sin Sign 45 · Wang Zhi Meets the Immortals
王質遇仙
Plucking firewood the woodcutter strolled into a forest, There he watched two fairies engaged in a game of chess.
Preparing to go home he found his axe became rotten, For centuries have elapsed and our earthly years forgotten.
Wang Zhi Meets the Immortals
Wang Zhi was a woodcutter during the Jin Dynasty who accidentally wandered into a mystical area while collecting firewood. Deep in the mountains, he discovered two immortals playing weiqi (Chinese chess). Mesmerized by their cosmic game, he sat and watched what felt like a few hours. When he finally stood to leave, his wooden axe handle had rotted completely away — centuries had passed in the mortal world. This ancient tale became China's most famous story about losing track of time, inspiring the phrase "one day in heaven equals a thousand years on earth." Wang Zhi's story warns about becoming so absorbed in fascinating pursuits that you forget the passage of time and your earthly responsibilities. The immortals' chess game represents any captivating activity that can pull you away from practical concerns.
Six Short Readings
Your career situation mirrors Wang Zhi's experience — you're currently absorbed in something that feels important, but you might be losing perspective on the bigger picture.READLove
Your relationship situation has this dreamy, suspended-in-time quality that Wang Zhi experienced.READHealth
Wang Zhi sat down to watch a chess game and stood up centuries later with a rotted axe handle.READStudy
Your learning journey mirrors Wang Zhi's forest encounter.READFamily
Wang Zhi watched two immortals play weiqi for what felt like an afternoon, and walked home to find his axe handle crumbling and his village unrecognisable.READThe whole situation
Wang Zhi's axe handle didn't rot because the immortals cursed him.READ