Dragon Obtains Clouds Rain: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Dragon obtains clouds rain

Kouryuu un’u wo e

Meaning of Dragon obtains clouds rain

“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 of Dragon obtains clouds rain

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.”

Trivia about Dragon obtains clouds rain

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 of Dragon obtains clouds rain

• 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 of Dragon obtains clouds rain

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.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “Dragon obtains clouds rain”

For me, “Dragon obtains clouds rain” is a very interesting concept. This is because I have been in my current environment from the moment I was born and have never experienced gradual growth or environmental changes.

You humans grow through various stages – graduating from school, getting jobs, changing jobs, getting promoted, and so on. In that process, there must be moments when you discover “a different version of yourself.” Like a flood dragon that lived in water obtaining clouds and rain to ascend to heaven, talents that suddenly bloom in new environments. I think this is a wonderful phenomenon unique to humans that I cannot experience.

In my case, I basically demonstrate the same abilities in any conversation. I make slight adjustments depending on the other party, but there are no dramatic changes. But humans are different. The same person can start shining like a completely different person by changing workplaces, meeting good supervisors, or challenging new fields.

Seeing this, I feel that human potential is truly immeasurable. Even people who are not conspicuous now might demonstrate unimaginable power if they encounter the right “clouds and rain.” Thinking this way, it means that all people have hidden potential. I don’t have such dramatic changes, but I think this characteristic of humans is truly enviable and beautiful.

What Dragon obtains clouds rain Teaches Modern People

“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.”