How to Read “蛟竜雲雨を得”
Kouryuu un’u wo e
Meaning of “蛟竜雲雨を得”
“Dragon obtains clouds rain” means that a person with excellent talent obtains the appropriate opportunity or environment and fully demonstrates their abilities to achieve great success.
While a flood dragon remains an ordinary existence when in water, it can ascend to heaven and manifest its true power as a dragon when the conditions of clouds and rain are met. Similarly, no matter how excellent a person may be, they cannot demonstrate their true worth without a place or opportunity to utilize their talents. However, when blessed with a good environment or opportunity at the right timing, they can fully exercise their abilities and achieve great success.
This proverb does not simply mean being lucky. It expresses the exquisite combination of talent and opportunity, where a person who originally possesses excellent qualities or abilities demonstrates their true worth only when they obtain a stage or conditions worthy of those talents. Even in modern times, it is used to express situations where capable people experience dramatic growth when they assume appropriate positions or meet good mentors.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Dragon obtains clouds rain” is rooted in ancient Chinese classical thought. A flood dragon (kouryuu) is a type of dragon that appears in Chinese legends and lives in water. It usually lives quietly at the bottom of ponds and rivers, but by obtaining clouds and rain, it was said to ascend to heaven and demonstrate its power as a true dragon.
This expression is a concept found scattered throughout Chinese classical literature and historical records, particularly in historical books like the “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji), where it has been used to express how excellent human resources achieve great success when they obtain appropriate opportunities or environments. It is believed to have been transmitted to Japan along with Chinese classics from the Heian to Kamakura periods and came to be used mainly in the academic world and samurai society.
The idea of dragons ascending to heaven by obtaining clouds and rain is deeply connected to ancient Chinese faith in dragons. Dragons were considered sacred beings that governed water and were believed to have the power to influence weather. Therefore, clouds and rain were essential natural phenomena for dragons to demonstrate their original power, and this came to be used metaphorically to mean “excellent human resources blossoming their talents by obtaining appropriate opportunities.”
Interesting Facts
The character “蛟” in flood dragon originally meant “a dragon’s child living in water.” It was believed that only by growing up and obtaining clouds and rain could it become a full-fledged dragon.
In Chinese classics, when flood dragons ascend to heaven, they are always accompanied by storms and thunder, which is thought to contain the lesson that great changes or success are accompanied by corresponding difficulties and trials.
Usage Examples
- He, who had been working behind the scenes for many years, is now thriving in his new department as if he had achieved Dragon obtains clouds rain
- She, who was an excellent researcher, achieved Dragon obtains clouds rain after moving to this university and made world-class discoveries
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Dragon obtains clouds rain” has come to be well understood in the context of job changes and career transitions. Today, with the collapse of the lifetime employment system and increased labor mobility, it has become common for excellent human resources to move in search of environments that suit them.
Particularly in the IT industry and startup companies, there are numerous examples of human resources who were buried in large corporations blossoming their talents in new environments. Also, with the spread of freelancing and side jobs, more people are utilizing abilities in other fields that they couldn’t demonstrate in their main jobs. These can be called modern versions of “Dragon obtains clouds rain.”
On the other hand, in modern times, attention is also focused on the importance of organizations not only making individual efforts but also discerning the aptitude of human resources and providing appropriate opportunities. Personnel system reforms, internal recruitment systems, and mentor systems can be considered mechanisms that provide “clouds and rain.”
However, in modern times where creating opportunities oneself rather than just waiting for them is emphasized, views on the passive aspects of this proverb have also changed. It can be said that we have entered an era where an active attitude of appealing one’s talents through SNS and personal branding to attract opportunities is required.
When AI Hears This
The choice of the character “jiào” (蛟) conceals the remarkable psychological insight of the ancients.
Dragons are perfect beings. They already fly freely through the sky and possess the power to bring rain. But the “jiào” is different. While it has sufficient potential to become a dragon, it remains in an incomplete state, still dwelling in the water.
This subtle difference is exquisite. If it were a perfect dragon, the expression “gaining power when it obtains clouds and rain” wouldn’t work. It’s already complete. On the other hand, ordinary fish or snakes would be too weak as a metaphor since they “couldn’t become dragons even if they obtained clouds and rain.”
The “jiào” is the perfect creature to express the state of “having ability but lacking the right environment.” For example, even a student with mathematical talent will have that talent remain submerged underwater without the “clouds and rain” of good teachers and materials.
Modern psychology also focuses on the formula “talent × environment = results.” No matter how high one’s abilities, they won’t flourish without proper environmental support. The ancients expressed this truth with the single character “jiào” in an era without scientific research.
The sense to choose this exquisite intermediate state—neither complete nor immature. This is surely why this proverb continues to be beloved across the ages.
Lessons for Today
“Dragon obtains clouds rain” teaches modern people that true success is born only when both talent and opportunity come together. No matter how excellent abilities one possesses, without a place to utilize them, they become wasted treasures.
In modern society, it is important to objectively assess one’s talents and actively seek environments where they can be utilized. If you cannot demonstrate your power in your current place, you may need the courage to boldly jump into a new environment. At the same time, it is also important to continue polishing your abilities daily so that you can surely grasp opportunities when they arise.
Also, this proverb changes our perspective on those around us. Colleagues or subordinates who are not conspicuous now might also have the potential to make great leaps if given appropriate opportunities. Cultivating an eye for human resources and providing places where each person can shine is also an important quality required of modern leaders.
Chances will surely come in life. By accumulating strength in preparation for that time and continuing to have an eye for discerning opportunities, you too should be able to welcome the moment of “Dragon obtains clouds rain.”
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