How to Read “有卦に入る”
Uke ni iru
Meaning of “有卦に入る”
“Enter into fortune” means that good luck comes to someone who has been unfortunate for a long time, and things begin to progress smoothly.
This proverb expresses not a one-time stroke of luck, but a state where one’s overall fortune has turned for the better and they have caught a good flow. It is used in situations such as when someone who has been struggling continuously suddenly begins to succeed at work, or when years of effort bear fruit and good things happen one after another. It is also used when a business begins to get on track, or when human relationships improve and harmony with one’s surroundings is achieved.
The reason for using this expression is to emphasize that the person’s fortune has fundamentally changed. It is used with the conviction and expectation that they have entered not just temporary success, but a favorable period that will likely continue. Even in modern times, it is used for people who have escaped from long periods of stagnation and achieved stable success, and is understood as a word that expresses joy that their efforts have been rewarded and expectations for future prospects.
Origin and Etymology
“Enter into fortune” – the term “yūke” (fortune) is a word born from the concept of fortune in onmyōdō (the way of yin and yang) and divination studies. In onmyōdō, a person’s life was divided into 7-year cycles, with periods of good fortune called “yūke” and periods of bad fortune called “muke.”
This way of thinking took root in Japan from the Heian period, and nobles would have onmyōji (yin-yang masters) divine their fortunes and use this as reference for important decisions. “Enter into fortune” literally meant entering that fortunate period.
In the Edo period, this concept spread among common people as well. Merchants expressed prosperous business periods as having “entered into fortune,” and farmers similarly referred to years of continued good harvests. This expression became commonly used especially within Edo townspeople culture.
What’s interesting is that this word carried the meaning not of mere coincidental good luck, but of a destined favorable turning point. Since it referred not to temporary fortune but to a good flow that would continue for some time, people imbued special meaning when using this word. This proverb, which has been passed down to modern times, contains the Japanese sense of destiny and unique perception of time.
Interesting Facts
In onmyōdō, life was considered in 49-year cycles (7 years × 7 times), with the yūke period totaling 28 years within that. This means about 60% of life was considered a fortunate period – a surprisingly optimistic view of life from a modern perspective.
Edo period merchants are thought to have kept “yūke ledgers” recording prosperous business periods. These were likely not mere sales records, but important materials for understanding the flow of fortune.
Usage Examples
- He has escaped from years of struggling at the bottom and finally seems to have entered into fortune
- This company has also overcome the hardships of its founding period and finally has the feeling of having entered into fortune
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Enter into fortune” has taken on more scientific and practical meaning. It has changed from the fatalistic interpretation of the past to an understanding of timing when accumulated efforts bear fruit.
In the information age, patterns and timing of success have become visible as data. In startup company growth curves and individual career development, the concept of “tipping point” has gained attention. This could be called a modern version of the moment of “entering into fortune.” We can now scientifically analyze turning points where, after long preparation periods, results begin to appear rapidly.
In the world of social media and digital marketing, the phenomenon called “going viral” resembles the state of “entering into fortune.” This is the pattern where creators who have been working steadily for a long time suddenly gain attention from a single post and continue to achieve success thereafter.
However, in modern times, because the speed of change is fast, “yūke” periods also tend to be shorter. Due to technological advancement, continuous effort and adaptation are necessary to maintain favorable periods. What was once considered a destined favorable turning point in old value systems is now reinterpreted as “the ability to seize opportunities” in modern times.
When AI Hears This
When we observe people who went viral overnight on social media or made quick fortunes in cryptocurrency, we can clearly see the psychological mechanisms behind the phenomenon of “being on a lucky streak.”
In psychology, there’s a cognitive bias called the “hot-hand effect.” This occurs when people experience consecutive successes and fall into the illusion that their success will continue. Just like a basketball player who makes several shots in a row feels “I’m on fire today,” when someone’s social media posts suddenly get tons of likes or their investments keep generating profits, they start believing “I’m in some kind of special zone right now.”
What’s even more fascinating is the common behavioral pattern these people exhibit. Even normally cautious individuals suddenly start making risky posts or bold investment decisions. From a neuroscience perspective, this happens because success experiences trigger massive dopamine release, which suppresses activity in the prefrontal cortex—the brain region responsible for risk assessment.
In today’s social media landscape, this “lucky streak state” is sometimes artificially created by algorithms. Platforms give more exposure to creators who’ve already gone viral once, reinforcing the illusion of success. However, statistically speaking, over 90% of viral moments are fleeting. Just as people in the Edo period maintained a sense of caution during favorable periods in fortune-telling, modern people need the wisdom to keep a level-headed perspective on digital-age “lucky streaks.”
Lessons for Today
What the proverb “Enter into fortune” teaches modern people is that there is always timing in life. No matter how difficult your current situation, it will not continue forever. What’s important is to continue preparing without giving up until that turning point comes.
Modern society tends to demand immediate results, but truly valuable success is built over time. You might feel envious seeing people become famous overnight on social media, but there is always a long preparation period behind that. The small efforts you are accumulating now are also becoming the foundation for the moment when you will “enter into fortune.”
Also, when favorable periods come, you must not forget humility. Understanding that fortune has waves, don’t take current good luck for granted, and continue to maintain gratitude. And when you feel you have “entered into fortune,” don’t forget to become someone who supports those who haven’t yet reached that period.
Accepting life’s waves, cherishing this moment while maintaining hope for the future – this is the wisdom for living life richly that the proverb “Enter into fortune” teaches us.
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