2022 is the year of the Tiger, according to the 12-year cycle of zodiacal animals.
Japan has a number of sayings based around tigers. (source - nippon.com)
虎の威を借る狐 — Tora no i o karu kitsune. “A fox that borrows the dignity of a tiger” describes someone relatively powerless who swaggers with assumed authority.
虎の尾を踏む — Tora no o o fumu. “To tread on a tiger’s tail” means to do something very risky.
虎穴に入らずんば虎児を得ず — Koketsu ni irazunba koji o ezu. “You cannot get a tiger cub without entering the tiger’s den” is a phrase used to say that it is necessary to take risks for great reward.
大虎 — Ōtora. This word, literally meaning “a big tiger,” can be used to describe someone who is falling-down drunk. Tigers were traditionally associated with bamboo grass, where they were said to hide. The word for bamboo grass (sasa) can also mean alcohol, leading to a connection between the animals and booze.
虎の巻 — Tora no maki. “The tiger’s volume” means a book of secrets or strategy. This is based on the Chinese classic Liu tao (Six Strategies) in which the fourth part—the Tiger Strategy—gives tips on military tactics. By extension, it can also refer to a crib or study guide.
In English, there are some tiger sayings too. Here are two I like.
"Those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside."
—John F. Kennedy.
"Better to live one year as a tiger, then a hundred as sheep."
— Madonna.
6 comments:
Happy New Year, I don't know any tiger sayings.
Happy New Year! I love Madonna's quote.
Yes, in Swedish:
En svensk tiger.
It has double meaning. a) a Swedish tiger, b) a Swedish person does not tell (secrets). The latter was a slogan used during the Second World War, to make sure people did not go blabbing to strangers about things that could endanger the safety of the nation.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
I wish you a healthy and happy year of the tiger.
Happy New Year, Pamela!
My grandma like to cite a book from her English classes. It was about a lady who owned a tiger and took it on walks. When they returned, 'it was still the Lady with the tiger - but the Lady inside!'
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