Wong Tai Sin Fortune Stick Guide: Everything You Need to Know

What are Wong Tai Sin fortune sticks?

Wong Tai Sin fortune sticks (also known as kau cim) are a century-old tradition from Sik Sik Yuen Temple in Hong Kong. There are 100 sticks in total, each containing a classical Chinese poem and a historical tale. Millions of people visit the temple every year to draw a stick and seek guidance.

How to draw at the temple

At Wong Tai Sin Temple, the process is: focus on your question, pick up the stick container, kneel before the statue, and shake until one stick falls out. Note the number and look up the reading — either from the temple's interpretation booth or online.

How to draw fortune sticks online

If you can't visit Hong Kong, you can draw a fortune stick online. On lingcim, tap the container on the Draw page to get a random stick — the poems are identical to what you'd find at the temple. You can also enter a stick number directly if you already drew one at the temple.

Tips before drawing

Focus on one question at a time. Be specific — "Should I take the new job offer?" works much better than "How's my future?" The more specific your question, the more relevant the reading will feel.

How to read your stick

Each stick has a grade (from Best to Poor), a four-line poem, a historical story, and an interpretation. Start with the grade for the overall tone, read the poem for specific cues, then check the plain-language reading for actionable advice. lingcim offers free readings across 6 topics for every stick.

FAQ

Q: Do I have to visit the temple?
A: No. Drawing fortune sticks online gives you the same poems from the same source.

Q: How many times can I draw?
A: Once per question. Drawing repeatedly until you get a good result defeats the purpose.

Q: What if I get a poor stick?
A: A poor grade is a warning, not a curse. Read the specific advice carefully — people who heed the warning often avoid problems.