How to Read “The orangutan values its blood, the rhinoceros values its horn”
Shōjō wa chi wo oshimu, sai wa tsuno wo oshimu
Meaning of “The orangutan values its blood, the rhinoceros values its horn”
This proverb describes the instinctive human behavior of protecting what matters most to us. Just as the orangutan guards its blood and the rhinoceros protects its horn with its life, everyone has something irreplaceable.
We fear losing these precious things and desperately try to protect them.
This expression describes how people cling to their most valued possessions. These might be material wealth, social status, honor, or intangible things like talent or skills.
What matters is that these things hold the greatest value to that person. They cannot bear the thought of losing them.
Even today, this proverb works as an accurate metaphor. It describes how people protect their expertise, cultivated skills, or built relationships. These things connect deeply to their identity.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb in historical texts remains unclear. However, it likely emerged from Chinese classical thought and animal folklore.
The shōjō (orangutan) is a legendary creature from Chinese mythology. It possesses human-like intelligence and particularly loves alcohol. The blood of this shōjō was extremely valuable as a red dye in ancient times.
According to one theory, cloth dyed with shōjō blood never faded. Powerful rulers eagerly sought it. Therefore, the shōjō feared losing its blood above all else and remained constantly vigilant.
The rhinoceros horn was prized in traditional Chinese medicine. People believed it had detoxifying and fever-reducing properties. Rhinoceros horn was traded as a precious commodity alongside ivory.
Rhinoceroses were constantly hunted by humans. They developed strong wariness and protected their horns first when sensing danger.
This proverb emerged from observing how each creature desperately protects what is most valuable to it. It expresses a universal truth through animal behavior: humans also have an instinct to protect what is irreplaceable to them.
Interesting Facts
The shōjō can refer to orangutans in modern times. However, the shōjō in Chinese classics is a legendary spiritual beast. It understood human language and particularly loved fine wine.
Its appearance resembled a monkey or a dog, depending on the account. It was also said to have a remarkably beautiful voice.
Rhinoceros horn is not actually bone but compressed hair. It consists of keratin, the same protein found in human nails and hair. Despite this, people believed it had medicinal properties for centuries.
It was sometimes traded at prices higher than gold. This led to excessive hunting. Today, many rhinoceros species face extinction.
Usage Examples
- He stubbornly refuses to teach his developed technology to other companies. This is truly “The orangutan values its blood, the rhinoceros values its horn.”
- His reluctance to share his customer list with junior colleagues shows “The orangutan values its blood, the rhinoceros values its horn.”
Universal Wisdom
This proverb reveals how creatures instinctively protect the source of their value. This is completely natural. For the orangutan, blood is not just a body part.
For the rhinoceros, the horn is not merely physical. These are what those who threaten their existence target. They are precious, second only to life itself.
Humans are the same. Each of us possesses something that makes us who we are. It might be a skill honed over many years. It could be a position built through hardship.
Or it might be internal values and beliefs invisible to others. Losing what forms our core is like losing part of our very existence.
This proverb has endured because this attachment is not shallow desire. It stems from survival instinct, a deep emotion. The heart that protects precious things may sometimes appear stubborn or selfish.
But this is a natural response for any living being.
Our ancestors expressed this human essence through animal imagery. The orangutan and rhinoceros never drop their guard when protecting their treasures. Their behavior is neither comical nor foolish.
It tells of the seriousness of living. Having something precious means having the resolve to protect it. This proverb conveys this universal truth quietly yet powerfully.
When AI Hears This
Traits acquired through evolution carry development and maintenance costs. The rhinoceros horn, made of keratin protein, is a “high-value asset.” Growing it consumes massive amounts of calcium and energy from the body.
In normal ecosystems, this investment pays off. The horn helps with territorial disputes and defense, improving survival chances.
However, human market economics disrupts this calculation completely. The black market price for one kilogram of rhinoceros horn exceeds gold, reaching approximately $60,000 according to reports.
This abnormal external valuation forces rhinoceroses into evolutionarily unexpected behavior: “risking life to protect the horn.” Even when fleeing would ensure survival, they become aggressive to guard their horns. This actually increases their chance of being killed by poachers.
A trait that was originally adaptive becomes a self-destructive trap through external system intervention.
This demonstrates the “dual structure of value” phenomenon. When biological value and economic value diverge, individuals cannot make proper value judgments for themselves. In human society too, when certain talents or qualifications receive high market evaluation, fear of losing them becomes excessive.
People sacrifice health and relationships. When facing evaluation systems evolution never anticipated, the defense instinct itself becomes the greatest vulnerability. This is the paradox here.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us to identify what truly matters and have the resolve to protect it. In modern society overflowing with information and diverse values, we sometimes lose sight of what to cherish.
Yet, like the orangutan guards its blood and the rhinoceros its horn, you have something core worth protecting.
It might be expertise you have cultivated over years. It could be relationships with people you care about. Or perhaps it is beliefs and values you cannot compromise.
What matters is recognizing these clearly and not giving them up easily.
At the same time, this proverb encourages understanding of others. When someone appears strongly attached to something, it might be their “blood” or “horn.” Behind what seems like stubborn behavior lies their way of life and pride.
Understanding this allows deeper empathy to emerge.
Protect what is precious to you while respecting what is precious to others. This proverb quietly teaches us this balanced way of living.
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