鳶えん飛ぴ魚ぎょ躍やく

noun

all things following their nature and living freely; Heaven's will for free and natural life

A rare yojijukugo expressing the idea that all beings should live according to their innate nature, freely and joyfully. Sense 2 adds a metaphysical dimension of Heaven's will. The literal image is of kites flying and fish leaping.

• 「鳶えん飛魚ぴぎょ躍やく」は、万ばん物ぶつが本ほん来らいの性せいに従したがって自じ由ゆうに生いきる様よう子すを表あらわす故こ事じ成せい語ごだ。

  鳶飛魚躍 is a classical idiom that describes all things living freely according to their original nature.

noun

ruler's benevolence spreading so people find their place

A rare extended meaning: when a ruler's benevolence spreads, people naturally find their proper roles according to their abilities. This sense is more political and less common.

• 古こ典てんでは、「鳶えん飛魚ぴぎょ躍やく」が君くん主しゅの徳とくによって民たみが各おの々おのの能のう力りょくを発はっ揮きする理り想そうを指さすことがある。

  In classical texts, 鳶飛魚躍 can refer to the ideal where, through a ruler's virtue, the people each demonstrate their abilities.