Stick #60
Average太白和番
Li Bai Makes Peace with the Barbarians
Poet Li Pak enjoyed himself so much in drinking wine.
The more drunk he was, his poem was more refined.
A high post was offered him by the Emperor; Yet fame and wealth, he would prefer to ignore.
Asking about: General
The Story Behind This Stick
Li Bai (also romanized as Li Pak) was China's most celebrated poet during the Tang Dynasty, around 750 CE. Think of him as the Chinese equivalent of Shakespeare, but with a legendary drinking problem and zero interest in playing politics. The story goes that Emperor Xuanzong summoned Li Bai to the capital, offering him prestigious court positions.
But Li Bai preferred wandering the countryside, getting spectacularly drunk, and writing immortal poetry by moonlight. When imperial messengers came calling, he'd literally be too intoxicated to board the boat to court. This wasn't disrespect—it was a conscious choice.
Li Bai represents the archetypal free spirit who values artistic integrity and personal freedom over worldly success. His most famous poems were supposedly written while completely plastered, yet they remain masterpieces of Chinese literature a thousand years later.
This sign is essentially asking you to examine what really matters to you right now. Are you chasing the right things? Li Bai had the chance for imperial favor—the Tang Dynasty equivalent of landing your dream job with unlimited upward mobility.
But he said no thanks, I'll stick with my wine and my wandering. That takes guts. The sign isn't telling you to become an alcoholic poet, obviously.
It's pointing to something deeper about authentic living versus conventional success. Maybe you've been grinding toward goals that don't actually fulfill you. Maybe you're so focused on what you think you should want that you've forgotten what you actually do want.
The "Average" grade here is key—this isn't about dramatic life changes, but about small recalibrations. Li Bai didn't reject imperial favor out of spite or laziness. He knew himself.
He knew that court life would kill his creativity. Sometimes the smart move is turning down the promotion, declining the invitation, or stepping back from opportunities that look good on paper but feel wrong in your gut. The sign suggests you're at one of those crossroads where external pressure and internal wisdom are pointing in different directions.
What To Do Next
Take inventory of your current commitments and goals. Which ones energize you and which ones drain you? Start saying no to things that don't align with your core values, even if they seem like "good opportunities.
" This doesn't mean being irresponsible—Li Bai was disciplined about his art even while appearing carefree. Focus on doing fewer things with more intention rather than trying to optimize everything. Schedule regular time alone to think and reflect, away from other people's expectations and opinions.
Sometimes the boldest choice is walking away from what everyone else thinks you should want.
What you feel reading this is already part of the answer.
Next comes specific guidance — when to act, how to move, what to watch for.
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Further Reading
FAQ
- Is Stick #60 (Average) good or bad?
- "Average" is a middle-tier fortune. It suggests your situation has room for growth but requires attention and direction. The real value is in the specific guidance — fortune sticks are tools for self-reflection, not prediction.
- How accurate is Wong Tai Sin Stick #60 for general?
- Fortune sticks work as a mirror for self-reflection rather than prediction. If the interpretation resonates with you, that's the stick doing its job — revealing what you already sense but haven't articulated.
- Can I draw fortune sticks for the same question again?
- Traditionally, you should ask about the same matter only once. Drawing repeatedly often means you're seeking the answer you want rather than the guidance you need. To explore different angles, try a different life topic for the same stick number.