OverviewWong Tai Sin Sign 82
- Name
- Confucius in Wei
- Grade
- Average
- Use
- Start with the poem and story, then choose the life topic that matches your question.
Sign 82
Wong Tai Sin Sign 82 · Confucius in Wei
孔子在衛
Unemployed and idle, Confucius played at home his chime stone.
A woodcutter passed by and exclaimed with a saddening tone, "This is the very man who can this drowsing world save, Yet he is disabled by age, time's invincible wave."
Traditional fortune poem
Confucius in Wei
This sign references a difficult period in Confucius's life when he lived in the state of Wei around 500 BCE. Despite being China's greatest philosopher, Confucius spent years unemployed and politically sidelined. The poem depicts him playing his chime stones at home while a passing woodcutter recognizes his wisdom but laments that age and circumstances prevent him from saving the world. Wei was ruled by Duke Ling, whose court was plagued by scandal and corruption. Confucius hoped to advise the ruler but was largely ignored, reduced to teaching a small circle of disciples while watching his ideals go unrealized. The woodcutter represents the common people who could see Confucius's value even when those in power couldn't. This story embodies the frustration of having wisdom or skills that remain unrecognized or unused due to circumstances beyond your control.
Six Short Readings
Career
The image at the heart of this stick is Confucius in Wei, sitting at home, striking his chime stone while a woodcutter walks past and sighs that the one person who could steady the age is the one the age has set aside.READLove
Stick 82 places you beside Confucius at Wei, sixty-something and politically shelved, choosing to play the chime stone in a courtyard while the rulers outside sharpen swords.READHealth
Your health situation mirrors Confucius playing his stone chimes — you have knowledge and good intentions, but results aren't matching your efforts right now.READStudy
Your current study situation mirrors Confucius in Wei — you have knowledge and capability, but external circumstances aren't aligning perfectly with your efforts.READFamily
Your family situation mirrors Confucius's predicament — you have good intentions and valuable insights, but you're hitting walls when trying to implement change or solve problems.READThe whole situation
The stick places you in the room with Confucius at Wei, striking his chime stones at home while the court ignores him and a passing woodcutter, of all people, hears the music for what it is.READ
The image at the heart of this stick is Confucius in Wei, sitting at home, striking his chime stone while a woodcutter walks past and sighs that the one person who could steady the age is the one the age has set aside.READLove
Stick 82 places you beside Confucius at Wei, sixty-something and politically shelved, choosing to play the chime stone in a courtyard while the rulers outside sharpen swords.READHealth
Your health situation mirrors Confucius playing his stone chimes — you have knowledge and good intentions, but results aren't matching your efforts right now.READStudy
Your current study situation mirrors Confucius in Wei — you have knowledge and capability, but external circumstances aren't aligning perfectly with your efforts.READFamily
Your family situation mirrors Confucius's predicament — you have good intentions and valuable insights, but you're hitting walls when trying to implement change or solve problems.READThe whole situation
The stick places you in the room with Confucius at Wei, striking his chime stones at home while the court ignores him and a passing woodcutter, of all people, hears the music for what it is.READ