How to Read “When the equinox comes, one thinks of dumplings”
Higan ga kureba dango wo omou
Meaning of “When the equinox comes, one thinks of dumplings”
This proverb warns us about forgetting the true purpose of something. Instead, we get caught up in the side benefits or pleasures that come with it.
Higan is an important time to honor ancestors and reflect on how we live. But the proverb describes people who only look forward to eating the dumplings served during this period.
This is a classic example of getting things backward. People use this saying when someone loses sight of their real goal. They focus only on secondary rewards or entertainment instead.
For example, imagine learning should be your goal. But you only care about the perks or fun activities that come with it. This proverb fits that situation perfectly.
Even today, we often lose sight of our true purposes in many situations. This proverb gently points out this human weakness. It reminds us not to forget what truly matters.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records explain where this proverb came from. However, it likely emerged from the traditional Japanese custom of Higan.
Higan happens twice a year, in spring and autumn. It’s a Buddhist event for honoring ancestral spirits.
Originally, Higan was based on the Buddhist teaching of “reaching the other shore.” This world full of earthly desires is called “this shore.” The world of enlightenment is called “the other shore.”
During this period, people visit graves and honor their ancestors. They also reflect deeply on how they live their lives. This was considered a highly spiritual time.
However, Higan includes a custom of making dumpling-like offerings called “ohagi” or “botamochi.” In spring, they’re called “botamochi” after peony flowers. In autumn, they’re called “ohagi” after bush clover flowers.
These sweets were meant to express devotion to ancestors. But over time, people’s attention shifted. The delicious dumplings became more interesting than the original purpose of honoring the dead.
Our ancestors who created this proverb understood human nature well. They saw how easily we lose sight of true purposes. This saying was born to warn us about this tendency.
It reflects a very human weakness. We get more excited about the enjoyable parts than the spiritual meaning. The proverb captures this truth perfectly.
Interesting Facts
The dumplings offered during Higan are called “botamochi” in spring and “ohagi” in autumn. But they’re actually the same food. The different names come from seasonal flowers—peonies and bush clover.
This shows how rich Japanese seasonal awareness is. The red color of the azuki beans was believed to ward off evil spirits. So these sweets had meaning beyond honoring ancestors—they also served as protective charms.
Higan lasts seven days, centered on the spring and autumn equinoxes. During these times, day and night are nearly equal in length.
In Buddhism, this balance was seen as special. People believed “this shore” and “the other shore” came closest together. This made it the perfect time for spiritual connection with ancestors.
Usage Examples
- You’re only researching tourist spots for a training trip? That’s like “when the equinox comes, one thinks of dumplings.”
- My goal was to get certified, but I caught myself planning only the celebration party. I realized this was exactly “when the equinox comes, one thinks of dumplings” and felt ashamed.
Universal Wisdom
This proverb reveals a fundamental human trait. We understand noble purposes and spiritual values. We want to cherish them and hold them dear.
But at the same time, we have a weakness. We easily get distracted by concrete pleasures and immediate enjoyment right in front of us.
Why do people act this way? Abstract and spiritual things don’t appeal to us as strongly as concrete and sensory things do.
Invisible values like gratitude and honoring ancestors are hard to grasp. But delicious dumplings we can see and taste? They satisfy our desires directly and immediately.
This might relate to how our brains are wired. Our ancestors understood this human nature deeply. That’s why this proverb has been passed down through generations.
They didn’t blame people for their weakness. Instead, they acknowledged it and gently reminded us not to forget our true purposes.
No one is perfect. Everyone sometimes loses sight of their goals. We all drift toward easier or more enjoyable paths.
The universal wisdom here is important. It accepts human nature as it is. But it also teaches us to pause occasionally and ask ourselves: “Why am I really doing this?”
Because we are weak, we need to remind each other. We need to support one another. That’s what this proverb tells us.
When AI Hears This
The arrival of Higan automatically triggering thoughts of dumplings is a conditioned reflex mechanism in the brain. Just like Pavlov’s dogs salivated at the sound of a bell, human brains form neural circuits.
Temporal cues like “March” or “September” alone can trigger cravings for dumplings.
What’s interesting is that this conditioning isn’t a one-time event. It repeats regularly twice a year. Brain science research shows something important about predictable rewards.
When rewards appear at predictable times—in this case, the sweetness of dumplings—dopamine starts releasing just as that timing approaches. This means as Higan gets closer, the brain activates in anticipation even before actually eating dumplings.
Even more noteworthy is that this conditioning is shared at a cultural level, not just individually. Many Japanese people associate the same food with the same season.
This means repeated events across generations carve the same patterns into the neural circuits of an entire group. This is “collective conditioned reflex” formed through cultural learning, not genetics.
Astronomical milestones like the spring and autumn equinoxes become linked with taste memories and stored in the brain. This precise seasonal memory system shows the neurological impact that cultures with annual events have on human brains.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us the importance of regularly questioning the meaning behind our actions. Our daily lives overflow with various activities—work, study, relationships, hobbies.
Each originally had a true purpose. But haven’t the means sometimes become the ends themselves?
For example, you started exercising for health. But now it’s only about breaking records or getting likes on social media.
Or you joined events to deepen connections with people. But now they’re just entertainment you consume. Modern society is full of temptations that distract us from our original purposes.
The important thing isn’t to blame yourself. Everyone naturally drifts toward enjoyable or easy things. That’s just human nature.
Accept this fact. Then occasionally stop and take time to ask yourself: “Why am I really doing this?”
What is the Higan in your life? And what are the dumplings you’re chasing? Enjoying those dumplings is part of life too.
But maintaining balance without losing sight of your true purpose—that’s the path to a fulfilling life.
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