How to Read “大吉は凶に還る”
Daikichi wa kyou ni kaeru
Meaning of “大吉は凶に還る”
“Great fortune returns to misfortune” means that even when the greatest luck or favorable conditions continue, they will inevitably turn into misfortune or difficult situations.
This expression represents the cyclical nature of fortune and circumstances in life, showing a life philosophy that no matter how good conditions continue, they will not last forever and will necessarily change for the worse. It is used in situations where one wants to caution someone who is in their prime, or to admonish them to maintain humility when they are intoxicated with success.
The reason for using this expression is that human psychology tends to become careless during good times, and complacency and arrogance are easily born. It teaches the importance of preparing one’s mindset for changes in fortune and maintaining a humble attitude precisely during such times. Even in modern times, it is understood as a lesson that encourages mental preparation for the next change, without getting carried away by business success or smooth interpersonal relationships.
Origin and Etymology
Regarding the origin of “Great fortune returns to misfortune,” we actually cannot find clear documentary evidence. This proverb is not listed in general dictionaries or collections of idioms, and currently does not hold an established position as a traditional Japanese proverb.
This phrase is probably a relatively new expression influenced by ancient Chinese yin-yang philosophy and the concepts of the I Ching. In yin-yang philosophy, there is the concept of “wu ji bi fan” (when things reach an extreme, they must reverse), where all things are composed of two opposing elements, and when one reaches its extreme, it must turn to the other. Also, in Laozi’s philosophy, there is the teaching that “fortune and misfortune are like intertwined rope,” meaning that happiness and unhappiness visit alternately.
The word “daikichi” (great fortune) is a term used in omikuji and fortune-telling to represent the highest fortune, while “kyou” (misfortune) means the bad luck at the opposite extreme. “Kaeru” (return) is an archaic word meaning “to go back” or “to return,” expressing circulation and recurrence.
The background of this proverb’s creation is presumed to reflect the Japanese virtue of viewing life’s ups and downs objectively and not forgetting humility especially during good times, but it is likely a relatively modern aphoristic expression rather than a traditional proverb.
Usage Examples
- The company’s performance is excellent, but since great fortune returns to misfortune, let’s stay focused
- Good things have been happening lately, but true to the saying great fortune returns to misfortune, I’m anxious that something might happen soon
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Great fortune returns to misfortune” is deeply connected to success experiences in the SNS era and rapid changes in the information society.
With the spread of the internet and social media, individual success and happiness are instantly disseminated, and life tends to be discussed in extreme binary terms like “winners” and “losers.” We can see many examples of modern “falls from great fortune to misfortune,” such as the rapid rise and fall of YouTubers and influencers, and people making fortunes in cryptocurrency or FX trading only to suffer huge losses afterward.
Also, with the collapse of the lifetime employment system, we have entered an era where even stable large corporations can suddenly face layoffs or bankruptcy. In the IT industry especially, it’s not uncommon for rapidly growing startup companies to disappear within a few years. In such an environment, the importance of risk management and thinking about the next move during good times has increased.
On the other hand, among today’s younger generation, there is also a tendency to avoid this way of thinking as “negative thinking.” Under the influence of positive psychology, optimistic philosophies such as the “law of attraction” and “thoughts become reality” have spread, and the idea that anticipating bad results itself brings bad results has also taken root.
However, precisely because we live in a modern society with intense and unpredictable changes, this ancient wisdom may hold new value.
When AI Hears This
Looking at modern social media controversies, the principle of “great fortune returns to misfortune” is reproduced with surprising accuracy. The phenomenon where influencers and celebrities at their peak can fall overnight due to a single careless comment perfectly demonstrates the psychological mechanism this proverb reveals.
People at the height of success become accustomed to high follower counts and abundant likes, leading them to overestimate their influence. This creates what psychology calls the “illusion of superiority.” In this state, they tend to become careless with statements they would normally consider carefully, thinking “this should be fine.” Indeed, most viral controversies involve content that makes us wonder “why would they post something like that?”
What’s even more fascinating is how success actually weakens immunity to criticism. Extended periods of smooth sailing significantly reduce the ability to handle adversity. Even minor criticism triggers overreactions, leading to defensive responses that pour fuel on the fire and escalate the controversy.
The distinctive feature of the social media era is that this “shift from great fortune to misfortune” happens overwhelmingly faster than before. What once took years to unfold now completes in mere hours. In digital spaces, information spreads at an incomparably rapid pace, and the difficulty of recovering lost trust has increased dramatically. The insights of ancient wisdom are being proven even more vividly in our modern digital society.
Lessons for Today
What “Great fortune returns to misfortune” teaches modern people is vigilance against the pitfalls hidden within success and happiness. However, this doesn’t mean we should be pessimistic.
Rather, it teaches the importance of “balance” – thoroughly enjoying good times while simultaneously not neglecting preparation for the next step. Good times are actually the perfect opportunity to invest in the future by acquiring new skills, cherishing relationships, increasing savings, and so on.
In modern society, we often see others’ success on social media and tend to feel pressure that we must constantly keep rising. However, by accepting that life necessarily has waves, we can avoid being overly discouraged by temporary failures and setbacks, and learn to view things from a long-term perspective.
No matter how wonderful your current situation may be, please be grateful for it while not forgetting humility. And even when difficult times come, believe that they too will change and continue moving forward. Cultivating such a flexible and resilient heart is the true teaching of this proverb.
Comments