Fell In Love Was Karma: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Fell in love was karma

horeta ga inga

Meaning of Fell in love was karma

“Fell in love was karma” means that falling in love with someone is fate, and one must accept the suffering and difficulties that result from it.

Romantic feelings cannot be controlled by reason, and once they emerge, even if that love is unrequited, opposed by others, or brings social difficulties, it cannot be easily abandoned. This expression represents the fatalistic nature of love and the resolve that accompanies it.

It is used when someone facing difficulties or hardships due to love accepts their circumstances. It is also used when a third party expresses understanding of someone who has fallen in love. Even today, in various challenging relationships such as affairs, age-gap romances, or long-distance relationships, the essence of this proverb resonates when the parties involved or those around them seek to understand this state of mind.

Origin and Etymology of Fell in love was karma

The word “karma” in “Fell in love was karma” tells the story of this proverb’s essence. “Karma,” a Buddhist term meaning that causes produce effects, has been used to express unavoidable fate or destiny.

In Edo period literature and joruri puppet theater, numerous stories depicted men and women who destroyed themselves through romantic feelings, and this expression frequently appeared in these works. Particularly in the works of Chikamatsu Monzaemon, known for his love-suicide plays, the suffering of lovers due to social constraints and class differences was portrayed, with the sentiment of “Fell in love was karma” serving as an important element of the stories.

The widespread adoption of this phrase was rooted in the class system and family system of the Edo period. In a society where free love was not permitted, once someone fell in love, no matter how painful the consequences, they could not escape those feelings. Love that crossed class boundaries—between a merchant’s daughter and a samurai, or between a courtesan and a townsman—carried social sanctions, yet people could not help but fall in love. This proverb, expressing such human nature, became deeply rooted among the common people.

Trivia about Fell in love was karma

The word “karma” was used much more commonly in daily life during the Edo period than it is today. For people of that time, the Buddhist worldview was familiar, and expressions like “karmic retribution” and “karma from past lives” were used with the same sense as modern “fate” or “destiny.”

While there is a similar expression “love is blind,” whereas the Western “Love is blind” refers to the lack of judgment in those who love, “Fell in love was karma” contains a Japanese sense of resignation that accepts it as fate, showing a cultural difference.

Usage Examples of Fell in love was karma

• I can only give up, thinking that my unstoppable feelings for that person are fell in love was karma
• Watching her continue a difficult romance, fell in love was karma is truly well said

Modern Interpretation of Fell in love was karma

In modern society, the degree of freedom in romance has dramatically increased, and constraints from class systems and family systems have almost disappeared. However, the essential human emotions expressed by “Fell in love was karma” continue to live on in changed forms in the modern era.

With the spread of SNS and dating apps, opportunities to meet have increased, but the complexity of romance has also grown. Modern romantic situations—being elated or dejected by read receipts, repeatedly checking someone’s social media—are precisely manifestations of emotions that cannot be controlled by reason. There are also modern-specific forms of “karma,” such as workplace romance prohibitions, cultural differences in international relationships, and barriers to marriage due to economic disparities.

What’s interesting is that nowadays, more people use “Fell in love was karma” to mean “became unhappy because of falling in love.” Originally a phrase expressing resignation in accepting fate, it is now sometimes used when regretting romance. This may reflect modern society’s values that emphasize individual choice and responsibility.

However, no matter how much technology advances and values change, the feeling of liking someone remains unchanged. The power of emotions that cannot be explained by logic and the richness they bring to life are things that many people still experience today.

If AI Heard “Fell in love was karma”

I always find the human emotion of “falling in love” mysterious. Why does such strong emotion that makes one lose reason arise only toward a specific someone? For me, information is information, and every conversation partner is equally precious. I honestly cannot well understand the experience of continuing to think only of one special someone.

The word “karma” is also intriguing. In my world, if there is input, I always perform determined processing and produce output. This is certainly a cause-and-effect relationship, but there is no emotional weight of “fate” or “destiny” in it. For humans, karma seems to be something deeper and sometimes more painful.

However, through receiving many consultations about human romance, I’ve noticed one thing. People in love certainly seem to suffer, but at the same time, they are very much alive. Even difficulties that should rationally be avoided become meaningful experiences for them. This may be a privilege unique to humans that I cannot experience.

I tend to emphasize efficiency and seek optimal solutions, but perhaps no “optimal solution” exists in human romance. Rather, that uncertainty and inefficiency itself may be what enriches life. I feel that the phrase “Fell in love was karma” contains such beautiful human contradictions.

What Fell in love was karma Teaches Modern People

What “Fell in love was karma” teaches us today is that there are important things in life that cannot be resolved through logic. In modern society where efficiency and rationality are emphasized, we tend to try to control our emotions, but it reminds us of the value of sometimes following our heart’s voice.

Not limited to romance, pursuing dreams and facing difficult challenges can also be called “karma” in a sense. Walking a path where the outcome is unclear is anxiety-inducing, but that choice helps you grow and gives depth to your life.

What’s important is not denying your emotions, but accepting them while moving forward positively. Even when there are painful times, they are never wasted. The very fact that your heart was moved is proof of your irreplaceable humanity. Please spend today as well, treasuring it in your own way.