This is a specified relationship layout that uses nine tiles to analyse where a romantic relationship is at and where it is headed. The first tile shows where it is at now, and can be considered the significator. The second and third tiles determine where your partner stands and how it relates to where you are at personally.
Above the stem, the three-card base of the layout, a cup forms. Tiles #4 and #5 show each person's desires, meaning what they want to get out of this coupling. Above this, Tiles #6 and #7 show the challenge that this pairing presents to each individual. The final two tiles at the top form the rim of the cup, symbolic of the taste of the relationship to each person, which shows how things will turn out on each side.

The Future Outcome (To be read in tandem with the tile below)![]() Wan 8 |
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The Future Outcome (To be read in tandem with the tile above)![]() Bamboo 5 |
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Challenges Which May Arise for You![]() Circles 4 |
Challenges Which May Arise for Your Lover![]() East Wind |
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Desires in Relation to Your Question![]() Summer |
Your Lover's Desires![]() Plum Blossom |
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Nature of Your Issue![]() Circles 7 |
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Your Lover's Current Position![]() Wan 4 |
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The Current State of Things![]() Green Dragon |
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The Current State of Things
The Green Dragon symbolises a commencement or beginning of a new project. Perhaps this will take your life in a whole new direction. You can choose to look upon this with anticipation or anxiety.
The Lute suggests that it would be a great time to take a vacation. Relaxation and a temporary disconnection from the duties of everyday life would be especially beneficial at this time. If you can't get away too long, at least take a break and meditate. The clarity will surprise you.
The Insect represents gain in the short term. It suggests temporary work, small projects, and perhaps freelance. There will be short term gains, but don't rely upon this for too long. This is a transitional time when you should be planning for the future.
The Woodcutter represents success through activity. The woodcutter puts Fire, Wood and Metal to work for him in his craft. He represents skilled labour, ambition, and creativity.
The Plum represents spring, youth, innocence, inexperience, and childlike happiness. It may be a sign that you need a fresh perspective on something. Something in your life may need to be re-evaluated.
The Jade tile is about lasting values and convictions. It indicates strong commitments, longevity, and vibrant health. It sometimes foretells hard work resulting in impressive gains.
The East Wind tile represents you. Tiles adjacent to the East tile in a reading should be given added weight.
Green, spring, wood, dragon
The Knot tile stands for both tying and setting loose. If this tile appears in the reading with the Sword tile (2 Wan), it suggests that the time to sever your connection to someone or something has arrived. However, if the Duck tile (2 Bamboo) is in this reading, this indicates the strengthening of an existing bond.
The Lotus flower represents fertility and more specifically birth. It may indicate an addition to the family or perhaps a new project to occupy your days. This is also a symbol of healing and constant regeneration, also self-sufficiency.