Even When Mingling In A Forest Of Foul-smelling Trees, Red Sandalwood Does Not Lose Its Fragrance: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Even when mingling in a forest of foul-smelling trees, red sandalwood does not lose its fragrance”

Iran no hayashi ni majiwareru domo sekisendan no ka wa usezu

Meaning of “Even when mingling in a forest of foul-smelling trees, red sandalwood does not lose its fragrance”

This proverb means that true good qualities remain unchanged even in bad environments. People have innate character and personality built over many years. These don’t change easily just because you’re temporarily surrounded by bad circumstances or bad company.

This saying is used to encourage people facing difficult situations. It also praises those who hold strong beliefs that aren’t swayed by their environment. People use it to motivate themselves when placed in harsh circumstances.

Today, it teaches the importance of not losing your essential values and beliefs even in unfavorable workplaces or relationships. This proverb shows the nobility of staying true to yourself without being swept along by your surroundings.

Origin and Etymology

This proverb is believed to come from Buddhist scriptures. Iran refers to foul-smelling plants, while red sandalwood is precious fragrant wood. Buddhism teaches that the noble fragrance of red sandalwood never disappears, even when placed in a forest of foul-smelling iran trees.

This contrast carries deep meaning. In Buddhism, red sandalwood symbolizes Buddha’s virtue and truth. Iran represents the secular world filled with worldly desires and confusion. The teaching is that those who understand truth or possess inherent goodness never lose their essential beauty and value, no matter how bad their environment.

This teaching came to Japan with Buddhism and became established as a proverb. By using the concrete material of fragrant wood, it expresses the invisible essence and character of humans in a way everyone can understand. Fragrance is invisible but definitely exists and affects surroundings. This quality was considered perfect for expressing human inner value.

Interesting Facts

Red sandalwood is real fragrant wood called chandana in Sanskrit. It has been treasured since ancient times for Buddhist rituals and medicine. Its fragrance is extremely long-lasting. Even wood hundreds of years old still releases its aroma. This physical property perfectly supports the teaching of this proverb.

There are various theories about iran, but one says it’s a plant that releases a rotting smell. In Buddhist texts, it frequently appears as a symbol of worldly desires. The contrast with red sandalwood shows the extreme opposition between good and evil, purity and pollution. This makes the teaching more memorable.

Usage Examples

• That person works in a harsh environment, but “even when mingling in a forest of foul-smelling trees, red sandalwood does not lose its fragrance”—their honesty hasn’t changed at all
• No matter how chaotic things get around me, they say “even when mingling in a forest of foul-smelling trees, red sandalwood does not lose its fragrance,” so I’ll protect my beliefs

Universal Wisdom

Behind this proverb’s enduring legacy lies deep insight about human nature. People are influenced by their environment. But at the same time, we have a core part that doesn’t change no matter how much the environment changes.

Why did our ancestors value this truth? Because everyone inevitably faces adversity in life. Almost no one spends their entire life in ideal conditions. Rather, difficult situations, unfair treatment, and encounters with thoughtless people are unavoidable. In such times, people risk losing themselves. The temptation arises that it might be easier to change yourself to fit in.

But this proverb teaches us something important. Your essential value isn’t determined by external circumstances. Just as red sandalwood’s fragrance doesn’t lose to iran’s foul smell, human true character doesn’t lose to environmental badness. This isn’t just idealism. We can find many examples throughout history of people who maintained themselves in any situation.

This wisdom shows a fundamental understanding of human dignity. The truth is that a person’s value is determined not by external conditions but by inner essence.

When AI Hears This

The identity of fragrance is volatile molecules. Santalol, the main fragrance component of sandalwood, has a molecular weight of about 220. It’s relatively large and heavy in structure. Meanwhile, the volatile compounds of foul-smelling iran trees are mostly small and light molecules. Here’s the important point.

Chemically stable molecules are less likely to react with other substances. Santalol is a type of sesquiterpene alcohol with a ring structure, which is very stable. In other words, no matter what chemicals surround it, it doesn’t easily undergo chemical reactions and maintains its original molecular structure. It’s like a well-built Lego castle—even if sand piles up around it, the castle’s shape doesn’t change.

Even more interesting is the difference in vapor pressure. Light foul-smelling molecules have high vapor pressure and quickly diffuse into the air and thin out. Heavy santalol molecules have low vapor pressure and release slowly and continuously. This is like the difference between a fountain and a spray bottle. Fountain water scatters and disappears quickly, but fine spray droplets linger in the space longer.

What this proverb shows is that essential value isn’t something that changes through chemical reactions with the outside. It’s supported by molecular-level structural stability. Properties that aren’t lost when the environment changes are actually physicochemical robustness itself.

Lessons for Today

For those of us living in modern society, this proverb teaches something important. It’s the importance of having firm core values.

In today’s world, we’re surrounded by various values and information. Open social media and countless opinions fly around. At work, we interact with people of various mindsets. To not lose yourself in all this, you need to be clear about what you value and what kind of person you want to be.

This proverb also teaches not to use bad environments as excuses. Environment certainly matters. But if you blame the environment, your growth stops. No matter the situation, maintain your true self and keep walking the path you believe in. That strength forms your true value as a person.

At the same time, this proverb offers hope. Even if you’re in a harsh environment now, your essential goodness hasn’t been lost. Just as red sandalwood’s fragrance doesn’t disappear, the beautiful qualities you possess continue to shine.