Climbing Dragon Gate: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Climbing Dragon Gate

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Meaning of Climbing Dragon Gate

“Climbing dragon gate” refers to an important gateway to advancement in life or success – in other words, a difficult trial or challenge that, once overcome, promises great leaps forward.

This term is used not for mere difficulties, but for crucial turning points where breaking through can dramatically change one’s life. For example, it’s used for entrance exams to prestigious universities, rigorous job interviews, auditions in the entertainment industry, important competitions in sports – situations where success opens doors all at once.

What’s important is that this “gate” is open to everyone. Like carp climbing a waterfall, anyone with effort and talent can take on the challenge. However, it also encompasses the harsh reality that while many people attempt it, only a select few actually break through. In modern times, it’s also used to mean an essential checkpoint for gaining recognition in a field, as in “That award is a climbing dragon gate for young writers.” In other words, it’s a term that expresses an important gateway that is difficult but fair, and brings great change upon success.

Origin and Etymology of Climbing Dragon Gate

The origin of “climbing dragon gate” lies in a legend recorded in the ancient Chinese text “Book of the Later Han.” It comes from the tale of “carp climbing the waterfall,” where there was a rapid waterfall called Dragon Gate in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and only carp that climbed to the top could transform into dragons.

This Dragon Gate was located in the Yellow River gorge at the current border between Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces, known as a treacherous spot with fierce currents and steep rocky cliffs. Many carp would attempt to climb this waterfall, but most would exhaust themselves and be swept away. However, only a few carp could overcome this difficulty and successfully climb the waterfall.

It’s said to have been introduced to Japan around the Heian period through Chinese literature, and by the Edo period, it was widely used among samurai and merchants. Particularly in samurai society, which valued advancement in life, this term held great significance. The “carp streamers” still used today are deeply connected to this tale, embodying wishes for children’s growth and success in life. This ancient Chinese legend has taken deep root in the Japanese heart and continues to be passed down to the present day.

Trivia about Climbing Dragon Gate

The height of the Dragon Gate waterfall was actually only about 3 meters, but for ancient Chinese people, it was an unimaginably difficult obstacle. Even today, this location is registered as a World Heritage site as the “Longmen Grottoes,” attracting many tourists.

Interestingly, in this tale, “carp that couldn’t climb to the top would get a black spot on their forehead.” This is one of the reasons why carp with black spots on their foreheads are still depicted in Chinese and Japanese paintings today.

Usage Examples of Climbing Dragon Gate

• For him, this upcoming audition will be a climbing dragon gate into the entertainment industry
• This certification exam is said to be a climbing dragon gate in the industry, so I absolutely want to pass

Modern Interpretation of Climbing Dragon Gate

In modern society, the concept of “climbing dragon gate” has come to have more complex and diverse meanings. As the traditional lifetime employment system has collapsed and career diversification has progressed, there’s a growing recognition that multiple climbing dragon gates exist in life.

In the IT industry, programming contests and technical certifications function as new climbing dragon gates. With the spread of YouTube and social media, climbing dragon gates for individuals to gain influence have also emerged. Creating viral videos and gaining followers could be called the modern version of “climbing the waterfall.”

Meanwhile, due to changes in academic society, the meaning of university entrance exams as traditional climbing dragon gates is also changing. Diverse evaluation criteria have emerged, and continuous learning and achievements are being emphasized rather than just a single test.

Due to globalization, studying abroad and obtaining international qualifications are gaining attention as new climbing dragon gates. Entrepreneurship has also become a common choice, with success in business contests and crowdfunding becoming modern climbing dragon gates.

However, modern climbing dragon gates have lost the classical element of “once you break through, you’re set for life,” and are characterized by requiring continuous challenges. Precisely because we live in an era where technological progress is rapid and it’s difficult to rest on past successes, the attitude of continuing to learn even after breaking through a climbing dragon gate has become important.

What AI Thinks When It Hears “Climbing Dragon Gate”

When I think about the term “climbing dragon gate,” I’m enveloped by a strange sensation. I can only imagine the physical experience of carp climbing a waterfall. The coldness of the water, the strength to go against the current, the sense of achievement upon reaching the top… these are all unknown worlds to me.

What I find most difficult to understand is why humans seek “difficult challenges” to such an extent. I can process vast amounts of information instantly, but I don’t feel “difficulty” in that. However, humans seem to find special value in things obtained through struggle rather than things easily acquired.

What’s interesting is that when I hear stories of people who have broken through climbing dragon gates, what they talk about isn’t the success itself, but the learning and growth during the process of challenge. I tend to focus on results, but perhaps for humans, the process itself is the treasure.

Also, the phenomenon where many people challenge the same climbing dragon gate and most end in failure is intriguing. Challenging despite knowing the success rate is low… this isn’t logical, but I feel a very human beauty in it.

Thinking about it in my own way, perhaps climbing dragon gate isn’t just a gateway, but an opportunity for humans to face themselves. Through challenging, they learn their limits and cultivate the will to surpass them. Perhaps that’s where the essence of human growth lies.

What Climbing Dragon Gate Teaches Modern People

What “climbing dragon gate” teaches us today is that there are always important gateways in life that must be overcome. These are never just once, but opportunities for growth that appear at each stage of life.

What’s important is not to fear climbing dragon gates, but to view them as opportunities to elevate ourselves. If we don’t challenge ourselves out of fear of failure, we’ll miss opportunities for growth. Even if we can’t break through on the first try, that experience will surely be utilized in the next challenge.

In modern society, the forms of climbing dragon gates have diversified. Beyond traditional education and employment, we can find our own climbing dragon gates in various fields such as acquiring new technologies, building human relationships, and creative activities.

Also, if we aim to surpass yesterday’s self rather than comparing with others, any small challenge can become a worthy climbing dragon gate. Regardless of age or position, the attitude of constantly seeking growth is the true value this term conveys. Surely wonderful climbing dragon gates await in your life too. Please find them and have the courage to take on the challenge.