laugh and grow fat; fortune comes to a smiling home
Proverb meaning that a cheerful, smiling household attracts good luck and happiness. Often used as a calligraphic motto or on New Year's decorations. Compare 笑う門には福来る, which is the full phrase.
See also: 笑う門には福来る
玄関に「笑門来福」の掛け軸を飾っている。
I have a hanging scroll with 'Laugh and grow fat' displayed in the entrance.
笑門来福という言葉を信じて、毎日笑顔を忘れないようにしている。
Believing in the saying 'Fortune comes to a smiling home,' I try not to forget to smile every day.
The full proverb form; 笑門来福 is a compact four-character version often used in calligraphy or decoration.
A four-character recasting of the proverb 笑う門には福来る, “fortune comes to a cheerful household.” 笑門 represents a smiling or laughter-filled home, while 来福 means the arrival of good fortune.