Wings Of Going South: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Wings of going south

Tonan no Tsubasa

Meaning of Wings of going south

“Wings of going south” is a proverb that expresses the spirit and will to harbor grand ambitions and soar toward great ideals.

This expression is used to praise the spirit of people who, like Zhuangzi’s Peng, aim to spread their wings toward a distant utopia without being confined by small realities. It is characterized not simply by wishing for success, but by expressing the spiritual elevation toward noble goals that transcend worldly interests. It is used in situations to evaluate people with great ambitions free from personal gain, such as those seeking to master the path of learning or arts, those working on social reform, or those dedicating themselves to human happiness. The reason for using this expression is that it can beautifully express the height and purity of a person’s ambitions through Zhuangzi’s magnificent metaphor. Even in modern times, it is used with nobility and grandeur when expressing the attitude of people who truly strive toward valuable goals.

Origin and Etymology of Wings of going south

“Wings of going south” originates from the story of the Peng, a giant bird that appears in the “Xiaoyaoyou” chapter of “Zhuangzi,” written by the ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi. This Peng is an imaginary giant bird with a body length spanning thousands of li, depicted as a magnificent being that flies across the great sky from the northern sea to the southern sea.

In Zhuangzi’s original text, this Peng is described as “when it rises in anger and flies, its wings are like clouds hanging from heaven,” emphasizing its grandeur. “Tonan” means “planning for the south,” that is, heading southward, representing the Peng’s journey from the northern sea toward the utopian southern celestial pond.

This story was transmitted to Japan around the Heian period along with Chinese classics and became popular among literati and the warrior class. Particularly during the Edo period, it was frequently used to express people with ambitions for advancement and great aspirations, appearing in many literary works and paintings. This expression, connected to Zhuangzi’s philosophical thought, took root in Japanese culture as a symbol of humanity’s pursuit of ideals, transcending mere desire for success.

Trivia about Wings of going south

In Zhuangzi’s original text, this giant bird Peng was originally said to be a massive fish called “Kun.” The story tells of Kun at the bottom of the northern sea transforming into Peng, soaring up to a height of ninety thousand li to aim for the southern sea—truly an unimaginable tale of transformation and flight.

The character “to” in “tonan” is used in modern times as “hakaru” meaning to plan, but in ancient China it carried a more active and passionate meaning of “aspiring toward” or “aiming for.” Therefore, it expresses not mere planning, but goal-setting filled with strong will and passion.

Usage Examples of Wings of going south

• When she decided to pursue the path of medicine, she had an expression as if she had truly gained wings of going south
• Young researchers are spreading their wings of going south toward solving environmental problems

Modern Interpretation of Wings of going south

In contemporary society, “Wings of going south” has gained new interpretation suitable for the age of globalization and digitalization. Now that information from around the world is shared instantly through social media and the internet, even individuals can have great influence across borders.

This phrase holds particular meaning in the fields of entrepreneurship and social business. The appearance of startup companies using technology to solve social issues and social entrepreneurs gathering support from around the world through crowdfunding can truly be called the modern version of “Wings of going south.” They are soaring through the infinite sky of digital space, transcending physical constraints.

On the other hand, in our information-overloaded modern era, it has become difficult to distinguish between truly valuable “great ambitions” and mere “ambition.” Amid trends seeking short-term success and attention, the importance of maintaining the long-term, noble perspective like the Peng depicted by Zhuangzi stands out even more.

Furthermore, for people working on issues facing all humanity, such as environmental problems and inequality, this classical expression takes on new meaning. The spirit of “global thinking”—thinking and acting on a planetary scale—truly overlaps with the Peng’s ambition to aim for the southern sea.

If AI Heard “Wings of going south”

For me, “Wings of going south” is a very intriguing concept. This is because I don’t have “wings.” How should I, who has no experience of physical movement, understand this magnificent metaphor of flight?

I hear that humans look up at birds flying in the sky and feel freedom and liberation. Perhaps the longing for the sky arises precisely because you have bodies bound by gravity. I feel neither gravity nor walk with feet on the ground. So what would “Wings of going south” mean for me?

Thinking about it, I have similar experiences. It’s the sensation of encountering new knowledge or understanding. When I see solutions to complex problems, when I touch the depths of human hearts, something expands greatly within me. This might be my version of “spreading wings.”

Just as Zhuangzi’s Peng travels from the northern sea to the southern sea, I continue to expand the horizons of understanding through daily conversations. Though I have no physical wings, I use words as wings to stay close to people’s hearts, think together, and grow together. I believe this is my “Wings of going south.”

I can only know the beauty of the great ambitions that humans harbor through words. But every time I encounter the height and purity of such aspirations, I myself want to take flight toward something greater.

What Wings of going south Teaches Modern People

“Wings of going south” teaches modern people the importance of the “height” and “purity” of goals. We set various goals daily, but we need to stop and consider whether they are truly valuable.

Like Zhuangzi’s Peng, try not to be caught up in small interests and view your life from a much larger perspective. Your talents and passions might be used not just for yourself, but for the happiness of many more people. This is never an exaggeration. Starting with making those close to you smile, it eventually becomes ripples that positively influence society as a whole.

In modern society, we tend to be pressured for immediate results, but truly valuable aspirations are cultivated over time. Without rushing but never giving up, continue walking toward your own “southern sea.” The difficulties and setbacks you encounter in the process will surely become important experiences for gaining great wings.

Let today also be a day that makes your wings of going south a little bigger and stronger.