29 Japanese Proverbs for the 29th Year

🌸 1. 七転び八起き (Nana korobi ya oki)

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
— Resilience. Every setback is training for your rise.

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🌿 2. 雨降って地固まる (Ame futte chi katamaru)

“After the rain, the ground hardens.”
— What feels like trouble strengthens your foundation.

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🪷 3. 石の上にも三年 (Ishi no ue ni mo sannen)

“Sit on a rock for three years.”
— Perseverance brings results; patience transforms discomfort.

☀️ 4. 花より団子 (Hana yori dango)

“Dumplings over flowers.”
— Choose substance over appearances; what nourishes lasts longer than what sparkles.

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💎 5. 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず (Koketsu ni irazunba koji o ezu)

“You cannot catch a tiger’s cub without entering its den.”
— Courage births reward. Don’t fear the leap.

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🌙 6. 一期一会 (Ichi-go ichi-e)

“One meeting, one moment.”
— Treasure every encounter as if it will never come again.

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🌼 7. 知恵は力なり (Chie wa chikara nari)

“Wisdom is power.”
— Knowledge used with love becomes influence.

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🌾 8. 猿も木から落ちる (Saru mo ki kara ochiru)

“Even monkeys fall from trees.”
— Even the skilled stumble; perfection isn’t the point — persistence is.

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🌊 9. 十人十色 (Jūnin toiro)

“Ten people, ten colors.”
— Everyone has their own beauty; comparison steals wonder.

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💫 10. 災い転じて福となす (Wazawai tenjite fuku to nasu)

“Turn misfortune into fortune.”
— What was meant to break you will build you.

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🍃 11. 心機一転 (Shinki itten)

“A change of heart; a fresh start.”
— Begin again with clear intention and faith.

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🕊️ 12. 山川草木 (Sansen sōmoku)

“Mountains, rivers, grass, trees.”
— Everything around you is alive with divine rhythm — slow down and listen.

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🌈 13. 初心忘るべからず (Shoshin wasuru bekarazu)

“Never forget your beginner’s spirit.”
— Stay humble; wonder keeps wisdom fresh.

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💐 14. 花開く時を待て (Hana hiraku toki o mate)

“Wait for the flower to bloom.”
— Growth takes time; your season will come.

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🪞 15. 鏡は心の姿 (Kagami wa kokoro no sugata)

“The mirror reflects the heart.”
— What you see in others reveals what you hold within.

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🌤️ 16. 明日は明日の風が吹く (Ashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku)

“Tomorrow’s wind will blow tomorrow.”
— Don’t borrow worry; the future brings its own grace.

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🔥 17. 雲の上はいつも晴れ (Kumo no ue wa itsumo hare)

“Above the clouds, the sky is always clear.”
— Hope is constant — even when storms hide it.

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🪶 18. 柳に風 (Yanagi ni kaze)

“The willow bends with the wind.”
— Flexibility is strength; adapt, don’t break.

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🍵 19. 心の平和は最高の宝 (Kokoro no heiwa wa saikō no takara)

“Peace of mind is the greatest treasure.”
— Protect your peace; it’s your true wealth.

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🌺 20. 笑う門には福来る (Warau kado ni wa fuku kitaru)

“Good fortune enters through a smiling gate.”
— Joy invites blessing; laugh freely.

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🪴 21. 一日一歩 (Ichinichi ippo)

“One step a day.”
— Progress is patient; small steps still move mountains.

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🌻 22. 心の灯を消すな (Kokoro no hi o kesu na)

“Don’t extinguish the light in your heart.”
— Guard your spirit from cynicism; it’s your compass.

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🌹 23. 美は内にあり (Bi wa uchi ni ari)

“Beauty lives within.”
— Outer radiance starts with inner harmony.

 

🌕 24. 月に叢雲、花に風 (Tsuki ni murakumo, hana ni kaze)

“Clouds over the moon, wind through flowers.”
— Imperfection makes beauty more real.

 

🪷 25. 雨のち晴れ (Ame nochi hare)

“After rain comes sunshine.”
— Hard days are not the whole story; healing follows.

 

🕯️ 26. 塵も積もれば山となる (Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru)

“Even dust, when piled up, becomes a mountain.”
— Every small effort counts; persistence creates greatness.

 

💖 27. 和を以て貴しとなす (Wa o motte tōtoshi to nasu)

“Harmony is to be valued above all.”
— Peaceful hearts create powerful homes.

 

🌸 28. 鶴は千年、亀は万年 (Tsuru wa sennen, kame wa mannen)

“The crane lives a thousand years, the turtle ten thousand.”
— Longevity is born from balance and patience.

 

🌅 29. 自然体 (Shizen-tai)

“Be natural; flow as you are.”
— Restoration comes when you stop performing and start being.