How to Read “瑠璃も玻璃も照らせば光る”
Ruri mo hari mo teraseba hikaru
Meaning of “瑠璃も玻璃も照らせば光る”
This proverb means that no matter how beautiful and valuable something is, it cannot demonstrate its true worth unless the proper conditions or environment are in place.
Beautiful gems and crystals like lapis lazuli and glass cannot have their beauty recognized by anyone in darkness. However, only when light is shone upon them do their transparency and brilliance stand out, revealing their true value. The same applies to humans – no matter how excellent their talents or virtues, if there are no opportunities, environments, or understanding people to allow them to demonstrate these qualities, their value will remain buried.
This proverb is often used for those in positions to discover and nurture talented people, expressing the conviction that “good things will surely shine if the right conditions are provided.” It is also used when believing in one’s own potential or when trusting in the latent abilities of someone not yet recognized. In modern times, it is frequently quoted in human resource development and educational contexts, serving as the foundation for thinking that values each person’s individuality and talents.
Origin and Etymology
When exploring the origins of “Lapis lazuli and glass both shine when illuminated,” we must first focus on the words “ruri” (lapis lazuli) and “hari” (glass). Ruri is a blue gemstone considered one of the seven treasures of Buddhism, while hari is an old word referring to crystal or glass. Both express transparent and beautiful minerals or gemstones.
Regarding the formation of this proverb, similar expressions can be found in Edo period literature, suggesting it was already in use by that time. People of that era daily observed how these beautiful stones and gems increased their brilliance when light was shone upon them.
Particularly interesting is the possibility that this proverb has Buddhist background. In Buddhism, lapis lazuli is considered a gemstone that adorns the Pure Land, and the expression of shining through light was sometimes used as a religious metaphor for how people’s hearts shine through the light of Buddha’s teachings or compassion.
Additionally, during the Edo period, artisan culture flourished and techniques for glasswork and gem processing also improved. Against this historical backdrop, it is presumed that the observation that beautiful things will surely shine when proper conditions are met came to be passed down as a lesson about human talents and virtues.
Interesting Facts
Both ruri and hari, words with beautiful sounds ending in “ri,” are actually foreign words that came from ancient China. Ruri originates from the Sanskrit word “vaidurya” and was transmitted to Japan through the Silk Road. Meanwhile, hari is a Chinese word meaning glass and was an extremely precious imported item at the time.
The expression “illuminate” used in this proverb is also interesting, as it includes not just shining light but also the meaning of “understanding, recognizing, and cherishing.” In other words, it expresses not only physical light but also the light of the human heart – the light of love and understanding.
Usage Examples
- Newcomer Tanaka-san was inconspicuous at first, but with proper guidance, like “lapis lazuli and glass both shine when illuminated,” he began to demonstrate his talents
- I always thought my son was poor at studying, but after meeting a good teacher, like “lapis lazuli and glass both shine when illuminated,” he grew remarkably
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, this proverb takes on new meaning particularly in contexts discussing talent discovery and the importance of diversity. This is because the importance of discovering and utilizing the talents of people with different cultural backgrounds has increased as globalization progresses.
With the spread of social media and the internet, opportunities to discover talents that were previously buried have dramatically increased worldwide. Phenomena where unknown singers become famous overnight by showcasing their voices on YouTube, or personal blogs influencing many people, can be said to be modern versions of “lapis lazuli and glass both shine when illuminated.”
However, precisely because we live in an age of information overload, the importance of having the “discerning eye” to identify truly valuable things has also increased. While attempts to discover potential talents through data analysis using AI technology have begun, human intuition and experience-based judgment remain important.
In educational settings, there is a shift away from uniform evaluation standards toward recognizing each individual’s personality and diverse intelligences. This aligns with the essential teaching of this proverb that all children possess some kind of brilliance. Modern society may be the era when this ancient wisdom truly demonstrates its value.
When AI Hears This
This proverb captures the essence of our desire for validation in the modern social media age with surprising accuracy. Our appearance as we bask in the glow of “likes” on Instagram and TikTok is exactly what it means to “shine when illuminated.”
What’s particularly striking is that both lapis lazuli (a precious stone) and glass (cheap material) shine equally when lit up. On social media, regardless of education or profession, anyone can go viral by posting compelling content. The phenomenon where ordinary high school students become influencers with millions of followers, or unknown individuals become overnight sensations, perfectly demonstrates this equality.
However, we can’t ignore the hidden dangers lurking beneath. The fact that we can’t shine without light means we constantly need external validation. Indeed, many people find themselves riding emotional roller coasters based on social media reactions, measuring their self-worth by the number of likes on their posts. According to psychological research, the need for social media validation is addictive, with dopamine release patterns that mirror those found in gambling addiction.
This proverb poses a crucial question for modern people: Are we truly shining, or are we merely being illuminated? Perhaps genuine self-worth lies in an inner radiance that doesn’t depend on external light.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us modern people is the importance of continuing to believe in the potential of those around us. Everyone has some kind of brilliance, but for it to be demonstrated, the right environment and understanding people are necessary – we must not forget this.
What’s especially important is thinking about yourself in the same way. Even if you feel you’re not yet evaluated or recognized, that doesn’t mean you lack value. It’s just that the appropriate light hasn’t been shone on you yet.
In modern society, we tend to get depressed by comparing ourselves to others or lose sight of our own value. But just as lapis lazuli and glass have different beauties, each person has a different brilliance. What’s important is finding your own way of shining, and finding and cherishing the brilliance of those around you.
The people around you surely also harbor some wonderful brilliance. By finding that light and warmly illuminating it, you too can become a person who shines.
Comments