“Fall down seven times, get up eight” or, in Japanese, “nana korobi ya oki”.
This particular old Japanese proverb holds a special place in my heart for the admirable spirit of never giving up that it embodies.
The proverb itself is often linked to Daruma, a traditional Japanese doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism.
A symbol of perseverance and luck
Daruma is round and weighted at the bottom, always returning to an upright position when tilted, and Japanese people associate this characteristic with perseverance and tenacity.
Daruma is also a symbol of good luck, as the kanji “fuku”, meaning “fortune” in English, is written on its body.
For this reason, it’s often used to make a wish or set a goal with the hope of gaining the strength to overcome challenges ahead.
The eyes of Daruma are typically blank when sold. After someone receives or purchases a Daruma doll, they’ll color in one eye when setting their goal and fill in the other once they achieve the goal.
This process of coloring Daruma’s eyes symbolizes journey of falling and getting up until success is attained.
Get up more times than I fall
The numbers 7 and 8 in the proverb don’t literally mean seven and eight times, but they convey the message to always get up more times than we fall down.
The essence of the proverb “Fall down seven times, get up eight” lies in the determination to keep getting up no matter how many times one falls.
It suggests an attitude of continuous effort, resilience, and refusal to give up when facing challenges.
I believe the numbers 7 and 8 might have been chosen for their rhythmic and memorable qualities, emphasizing the cyclical nature of falling and rising again.
In Japanese culture itself, certain numbers can carry symbolic significance, and 7 and 8 may have been chosen for their positive connotations.
Every time I see Daruma, I’m always reminded to get up more times than I fall, a promise I’ve made to myself that I intend to keep.
Well, I suppose it’s now time for me to get back to work.