[Kakizome] Four-character idioms fit for the New Year: Introducing words that resonate with the heart and their meanings
Are you thinking about what words to write for your first calligraphy of the year? Four-character idioms, which are popular every year, pack deep meaning into just a few characters and are perfect for expressing New Year’s resolutions.
Still, many people may wonder, “Which idiom should I choose?” In this article, we’ll introduce four-character idioms that are well-suited for the first calligraphy of the year.
From bold, striking phrases to words that fit your New Year’s determination, find the expression that’s just right for you.
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[Kakizome] Four-character idioms suitable for the New Year: Introducing moving words and their meanings (11–20)
Perfect health and safety (being free from illness and calamity)
These are words that express a wish to stay healthy, free from illness, and to spend each day in peace.
They are ideal for conveying the desire to remain well in both body and mind throughout the year.
The sound of the phrase carries gentleness and calm, offering a sense of reassurance and warmth.
It is also suitable as a prompt to reflect on health care and daily habits, and is used to wish happiness for family and friends.
The characters evoke a feeling of freshness and prayer, strongly emphasizing the intention to live the new year in good health.
It is a familiar and important wish for everyone.
Add flowers to brocade (to embellish something already beautiful; to make a good situation even better)
This expression is a four-character idiom that originally comes from the image of adding flowers on top of a beautiful brocade.
It describes something already wonderful being enhanced by something even more delightful.
For example, when you work hard and achieve good results, receiving warm words from others makes your joy even greater.
That is exactly what “kinjō tenka” (adding flowers to brocade) conveys.
If we can notice someone’s strengths or achievements and add words that make them even happier, our days might become gentler and more colorful.
It’s a four-character idiom with a beautiful ring that reminds us of that feeling.
The highest goodness is like water.
It is a saying that means “The highest good is like water.” Just as water changes its shape to fit the vessel, it teaches the importance of living gently and flexibly.
Water, without asserting itself forcefully, has the power to wear down stone little by little.
And like water flowing from high to low, it also conveys a natural, unpretentious way of being.
Someone who cherishes their own thoughts while being attuned to the feelings of others may have a “heart like water.” Even when facing difficulties, they don’t become rigid, but move forward positively, adapting to the situation.
That attitude can be said to lead to true strength.
fair and square
This four-character idiom, often heard as a personal motto, might be a great choice to adopt as your New Year’s resolution for the coming year.
Kōmei seidai means being fair and impartial, transparent, and acting and thinking in an open, aboveboard manner.
It’s an expression that encourages us to abandon little white lies and the urge to cut corners, and to resolve to treat everyone without discrimination.
By breaking down barriers of age and gender, it inspires us to be honest and straightforward with both ourselves and others.
to cover the sky and the earth
From the idea of using the sky as a roof and the earth as a mat, this four-character idiom expresses broad-mindedness and lofty ambition.
It’s used as in, “He is a makuten-sekichi type of person, unbound by worldly conventions.” Its origin traces back to a phrase in Ode to the Virtue of Wine by Liu Ling, a thinker of the Jin dynasty: “幕天席地 縱意所如,” meaning to use the sky as a ceiling and the ground as a seat, living as one’s heart leads.
By the way, in English, it might be akin to “ambitious,” as in the phrase “Boys, be ambitious.”
pure breeze and bright moon
It depicts a serene, composed scene in nature—clear wind and a bright moon.
Free of anything superfluous, it conveys a purity that seems to lighten the heart.
Thinking of the refreshing breeze on a summer night or a round moon floating in the sky brings peace of mind.
You could say this phrase also carries the message: “Keep your heart calm and face things with honesty.” Even on irritating days, recalling these words can help your feelings settle.
It reminds us not to forget to take time to clear our minds amid our busy daily lives.
It is a four-character idiom that teaches the importance of that mindfulness.
[Kakizome] Four-character idioms suited for the New Year: Introducing words that resonate with the heart and their meanings (21–30)
The return of the sun; the turning of the tide toward good fortune (often used to mean a revival or a new beginning after adversity).
@hjc.aki Ichi-yō rai-fuku: Winter will surely end and spring will come; tough times will surely end and happiness will arrive.The return of the sun (symbolizing the turning of misfortune to good fortune)translationCalligrapherCalligraphyTranslation
♬ Soranji – Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Like the end of a cold winter and the gentle return of spring, the four-character idiom “Ichiyō Raifuku” means that good fortune comes after a spell of misfortune.
On days when you fail at studying or sports, or when something sad happens, you may worry that things will stay this way forever.
Even so, time moves forward little by little, and a new light begins to shine into your heart.
Even if school life doesn’t go smoothly, by continuing to move forward—even if only in small steps—the situation will surely change.
It is a four-character idiom that gives you the courage to keep hope in your heart.
