Fortune sticks, also known as "Kau Cim" in Chinese, are a traditional form of divination used in Chinese and some Southeast Asian cultures, including Thailand. The fortune sticks consist of a container filled with sticks, each of which bears a number on one end.
To use fortune sticks, the person will first make an offering of incense or a small donation to the temple or diviner. They will then kneel or sit in front of the container and shake it until a stick with a number falls out.
The stick will match the number on a corresponding fortune card one can rip off a block or read off a board nearby. The fortunes or advices can be general or specific, and relate to matters such as health, wealth, career, or relationships.
🧧 Here's how to do it Step-by-Step (The Thai Way):
Finish your worship, prayers or meditations first before doing Fortune Sticks
Pick up the container with the fortune sticks & go back to a kneeling position
Bow one time towards the Buddha, holding the container to your forehead
Hold the container in front of you, lightly shaking & tilting until a stick falls out
Check the number on the stick and match with the corresponding fortune card!
Tip: If more than one stick fall out, you just go with the first stick that hit the ground. If you can't tell, a higher power has decided for you to put all sticks back in and give it another shake!
Fortune sticks are believed to have originated in ancient China and have been used for over a thousand years. They are considered a way to connect with the divine and to receive guidance from the gods or ancestors.
The use of fortune sticks is not exclusive to Buddhism, and can be found in Taoist, Confucianism and folk-religion practices. They are widely used in temples, shrines, and other places of worship, as well as in private homes.
No, the fortunes do not change - All 28 fortune cards spell the same fortunes since decades or centuries; it's about which one you draw that day. Sometimes people at a temple will to keep the paper slip with the fortune if a good fortune was drawn that day.
Want to go try out the Thai Fortune Sticks yourself? Check out these Temples!
All Kau Cim Fortune Cards in English
Wishes will soon be fulfilled, support received, plans accomplished. Better not rush. Family enjoyable, Patient recovering. Lost persons will be found. Good lucks gradually approaching. Discovering mate who could become a good match.
Just like a dying tree in a dry land, suddenly refreshed and soaked with rain, reviving back to life. Strengthening and brightening up required. In order to achieve common targets, compromise and discus- sions recommended. Patient recovering. Lost persons will be found. Mismatch is likely. A good luck coming your way.
Difficulties encountered in conducting activities. Some are ill-intentioned. Suffering from worry and restlessness. Legal case defensible. Hard to find ones you want to see. Good fortune not in sight. Missmating is likely, Calm down, better not rush.
Parting from loved one envisaged, may be a long time before reunited. Cooperation needed in conducting activities. Avoid taking role as a leader. Patient recovering. More likely to win legal case. Hidden ones still not found. A baby boy forthcoming.
Need not worry, no one going to harm you. Something will be lost for something unduly gained. Be careful and selective in associating with people. Prospective mate still not in sight. Loan made to others hardly refundable. Good fortune less likely to approach. A baby girl forthcoming.
Do not panic. Do not keep changing your mind. You will eventually succeed, though it seems unfavourable at present. Good fortune envisaged. Outstanding debts refundable. All matters are fine in general. Patient recovering. Likely to find a nice mate who could become a good match.
No sorrow, family and friends are enjoyable. but yourself seems unhappily restless. Recommend making some merits and donations. Get rid of greed, and you shall gain a peace of mind. Good luck approaching. Lost items recovered. Affectionate loving care interchanged. Patient recovering. Other matters also good in general.
Just like an uprooted tree, life seems cheerless, A transfer may help refreshing it up. Lost items unlikely to be recovered. Watch for miss-mating. Legal case hardly defensible, compromise or surrender recommended. No luck.
Just like a fish transforming into a dragon. Improvement and development envisaged. Traveling south or west shall yield good fruits. Parted persons reunited. Love affairs not yet concluded in immediate future. Patient's condition worsening. Good luck is approaching. Keep trying hard, success waiting not far away.
Like being dumb, Difficult to express yourself clearly. Feeling uncertain. Forthcoming child shall be a baby girl. Lost items could never be recovered. Illness condition unfavourable. Discovering a mate who could become a satisfactory match. No lucks. Should be careful.
Just like a full moon, covered by cloud for some moment, then shine again. Past conduct will yield reasonable results. Future work will be improving. Existing mate is a good match. Outstanding debts or disputes could be compromised. Good lucks approaching- Legal case defensible. Overall, things are favourable.
Hard to express yourself clearly and to be heard. Support promised to be given turning out to be merely a dream. If looking for a male, watch out for a possible serious mistake. Legal case in your favour. Winning good company. Meeting relatives. No luck.
Just like an orchard tree not yet yielding fruits, awaiting for rainfall. Do not make a hasty decision to move away from the place. Wait and see. Some development under way. No child forthcoming. Meeting companionable persons and relatives. Good luck approaching. Love not being satisfied in immediate future.
Difficulties exist. Unfortunate coincidence occur ring. Just like being in a labyrinth, everything seems unreal. Desires not yet fulfilled. Your mate may be troublesome. Patient recovering. Having favourable meeting with company. No luck.
Successful in anything, but trading is the best. Forthcoming child will be baby. Your mate will make a good match. Lost articles will be recovered. Very good luck approaching. Patient fast recovering. Outstanding debts will be refunded. Overall, this one is especially good.
Will find several kind people who give support. Bright future ahead. No sorrow. Wishes will be fulfilled. Patient recovering. Will find a good mate. Good luck approaching. Legal case defensible.
Not as expected. Activities turning out to be unsuccessful. Keep cool. Be careful. The bone you pick with others will only be your own. Patient recovering. Legal case defensible. Outstanding debts not likely to be refunded. Company not available. Good luck approaching.
You see benefits way yonder but can hardly get them. Just like rowing a boat upstream, life will be difficult. However, supporters are available in the future. Patient recovering. Legal case not favourable. No good lucks. Forthcoming child will be a baby boy. Overall, will experience hardship first, but prosperity eventually.
Be careful and considerate. Better not rush. You and your family will be satisfied. Living a long happy life. Patient recovering. Good luck approaching. Legal case not favorable. Purpose in visiting anyone not answered. Overall, it would turn out to be all right.
Be faithful and firm. Watch your step. Support can be obtained from among honest people. Bad omen foreseen. Refill oil to the lamps at this place, and unfavorable situation will be alleviated. Patient recovering. No child forthcoming as yet. No luck. Legal case defensible. Refill the oil.
Just like a flower, blooming under the angry sun, but managers to look fresh. Like a little bird learning to My in a strong wind, falls down to the ground. Life would be enjoyable in the future. Patient recovering. Not likely to find a good mate at this stage. Legal case not favorable. Some good lucks exist. Despite some hardships at present, would be better not too long.
You are left behind. Seek sound advice. Consult with knowledgeable persons. Do not worry. Patient recovering. Legal case not favorable. Good lucks approaching. Will benefit from anybody you will be visiting. Overall, this one is generally good.
Enjoyable life. Despite any illness, need no worry. All in the family will be happy and have good lucks. Long journeys will be undertaken safe and sound. Desires will be fulfilled, Patient recovering. Legal case in your favor. All is good for you.
Wishes will be fulfilled, plans accomplished but it takes some times, don't worry about it. Better not rush, don't be careless, otherwise, you may lose your possessions, Patient soon recovering. Good fortune is approaching. Legal case not favorable.
Good lucks gradually approaching. Just like building a bridge, difficult first but happy later. Your lover is a rich widow and a good match. Health is excellent.
Keep trying, no complaining, sorrow and trouble will be soon far away. A baby girl is forthcoming. No lucks, no support. Legal case not favorable.
Just like a dying tree, suddenly refreshed and soaked with rain, reviving back to life. Just like teenager who never knows sorrow. Legal case is favorable. Patient fast recovering. Good supports. Overall this one is good.
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Hope you're lucky! Did you ever try the fortune sticks at one of the Thai Temples? What number did you draw?
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