How to Read “完璧”
Kanpeki
Meaning of “完璧”
“Perfect” is a proverb that represents a complete state with absolutely no flaws or deficiencies, where there is nothing to criticize.
This word is used when things have reached an ideal state, or when something maintains the highest quality or condition. It goes beyond simply being “good” or “excellent” to indicate a wonderful state where there is no room for further improvement. The reason we use the expression “Perfect” is because we want to evaluate and praise the value and high quality of the subject to the maximum extent. Even today, it is used when giving the highest evaluation in various fields such as artworks, technology, human abilities, and plan execution. However, since the standard of perfection is extremely high, it should not be used lightly, but should be understood as an expression that should only be used for truly wonderful things.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of the word “Perfect” lies in a famous historical account recorded in the Chinese historical text “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji). In 3rd century BC China during the Warring States period, the state of Zhao possessed an extremely precious jade called “He Shi’s Bi.” This bi was a beautiful jade discovered by a man named Bian He from the state of Chu, and its value was immeasurable.
The King Zhao of Qin desired this bi and proposed to the King of Zhao to exchange it for 15 cities. However, this was clearly a scheme by Qin to simply steal the bi. So Lin Xiangru, a retainer of Zhao, went to Qin as an envoy and succeeded in using his wit to bring the bi back to Zhao completely unharmed.
From this historical account, the word “Perfect” was born. “Kan” (完) refers to a state where everything is complete without anything missing, and “peki” (璧) refers to a beautiful circular jade. Because Lin Xiangru brought back the precious jade in a complete state without damaging it, it came to be used with the meaning of “flawless and beyond reproach.” It was transmitted to Japan through Chinese classical literature and is still cherished today as a word expressing the highest state.
Interesting Facts
The precious jade represented by the character “璧” (peki) is a disc-shaped jade with a hole in the center, and in ancient China it was considered a sacred object symbolizing heaven. Due to this shape, even today “璧” is sometimes regarded as a symbol of harmony and completeness.
Interestingly, there is a character “壁” (wall) that has the same pronunciation as “璧” (peki) in Perfect, but this has a completely different meaning. However, in modern times, some people mistakenly write “Perfect” as “完壁” instead of “完璧,” which can cause the original beautiful meaning of precious jade to fade away.
Usage Examples
- Her presentation was Perfect, and the Q&A session was also excellent
- This time the dish turned out Perfect in both taste and appearance, and I’m surprised myself
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Perfect” has come to have even more complex meanings than before. With the spread of social media, people tend to be constantly required to show a Perfect image, and the term “perfectionism” is often discussed as a psychological problem.
While technological advancement strongly demands perfection from machines and systems, the value that “it’s okay for humans not to be Perfect” has also spread. Particularly from the perspectives of work-style reform and mental health, excessive perfectionism is increasingly viewed as something to be avoided.
Furthermore, with advances in AI technology, artificial intelligence has become capable of producing more “Perfect” results than humans in many fields, and the very definition of perfection is changing. In creative activities, rather human-like imperfections and individuality have come to hold value, and being too Perfect can sometimes detract from appeal.
In modern times, there is a growing tendency to find value in the process of striving for perfection itself, or to cherish personal standards of “one’s own perfection.” Rather than absolute perfection, doing one’s best at any given moment is being emphasized.
When AI Hears This
The greatest contradiction inherent in the concept of “perfection” is how it can mean completely opposite things across different cultures. In Japanese aesthetics, the cracks in a tea bowl or the asymmetry of a garden represent “perfect beauty.” The concept of wabi-sabi views imperfection and the passage of time as the essence of beauty, where deliberately creating incomplete elements is considered the path to completion.
In contrast, Western classicism, tracing back to ancient Greece, has long idealized perfect symmetry and mathematical harmony through principles like the golden ratio. The design of the Parthenon and da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” are prime examples of this pursuit of geometric perfection.
What’s even more fascinating is how modern psychological research treats “perfectionism” as a pathological symptom in Western contexts, while in East Asian cultures it’s often viewed positively as “aspiration for improvement.” The same behavioral patterns are positioned at opposite poles—healthy versus pathological—depending on cultural context.
This phenomenon reveals that when our brains recognize “perfection,” they’re not using innate standards but rather learned cultural filters. In other words, “perfection” isn’t an objective state but rather the product of value systems that each culture has constructed over long periods of time. The aesthetic standards we take for granted are actually highly relative cognitive constructs.
Lessons for Today
What the proverb “Perfect” teaches us today is the importance of pursuing high quality, and at the same time, the value of that pursuit process. Striving for perfection cultivates an attitude of drawing out one’s maximum potential and pouring all one’s strength into something.
What’s important is to hold up the ideal of perfection while not being too bound by it. The true value lies in what we learn and how we grow in the process of striving for perfection. Rather than being afraid of failure and not taking action, it’s far better to live a rich life by setting perfection as a goal and continuing to challenge ourselves.
We must also not forget that others’ perfection and our own perfection are different things. Finding your own version of perfection and continuing to walk toward it is the most beautiful way to live. The word Perfect teaches us both an uncompromising attitude and, at the same time, a heart that cherishes being true to ourselves.
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