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Sign 55
Wong Tai Sin Sign 55 · Wu Yinzhi Returns to Privacy
吳隱之除官歸隱
A governor of Kwangtung accepted a small gift from his people, Which served as a token of thanks for his just administration.
But suddenly a storm arose while on board a departing ship.
He prayed and forsook the gift in exchange for a joyous trip.
Wu Yinzhi Returns to Privacy
Wu Yinzhi was a Jin Dynasty governor known for his unshakeable integrity. Posted to Guangdong province, he famously refused bribes and lived so simply that his own family remained poor back home. The poem references a specific moment: when local people gave him a farewell gift of aromatic wood, he initially accepted it as genuine gratitude for his fair rule. But when his ship hit rough weather, Wu interpreted this as heaven's displeasure with his compromise. He threw the gift overboard, and the storm calmed. This story became legendary in Chinese culture as the ultimate example of choosing principle over profit. Wu's willingness to literally throw away valuable gifts to maintain his moral standing made him a symbol of incorruptible leadership.
Six Short Readings
Wu Yinzhi accepted the incense because refusing would have insulted the people who gave it.READLove
In relationships, this sign speaks to the delicate balance between giving and receiving.READHealth
Your health situation mirrors Wu Yinzhi's dilemma — you might be accepting things that seem beneficial but could actually be creating problems.READStudy
Wu Yinzhi accepted one small gift after years of clean governance, and the storm rose almost immediately.READFamily
Wu Yinzhi's story sits awkwardly in family questions because the gift he refuses is offered with love, not as a bribe.READThe whole situation
This stick asks you to examine where you might be cutting moral corners, even with good intentions.READ