There is a widespread public misperception, particularly among the New Age sector, that the Chinese word for "crisis” is composed of elements that signify "danger” and "opportunity.” I first encountered this curious specimen of alleged oriental wisdom about ten years ago at an altitude of 35,000 feet sitting next to an American executive. ... While it is true that wēijī does indeed mean "crisis” and that the wēi syllable of wēijī does convey the notion of "danger,” the jī syllable of wēijī most definitely does not signify "opportunity.” ... The jī of wēijī, in fact, means something like "incipient moment; crucial point (when something begins or changes).” Thus, a wēijī is indeed a genuine crisis, a dangerous moment, a time when things start to go awry. A wēijī indicates a perilous situation when one should be especially wary. (Victor H. Mair)

There is a widespread public misperception, particularly among the New Age sector, that the Chinese word for "crisis” is composed of elements that signify "danger” and "opportunity.” I first encountered this curious specimen of alleged oriental wisdom about ten years ago at an altitude of 35,000 feet sitting next to an American executive. ... While it is true that wēijī does indeed mean "crisis” and that the wēi syllable of wēijī does convey the notion of "danger,” the jī syllable of wēijī most definitely does not signify "opportunity.” ... The jī of wēijī, in fact, means something like "incipient moment; crucial point (when something begins or changes).” Thus, a wēijī is indeed a genuine crisis, a dangerous moment, a time when things start to go awry. A wēijī indicates a perilous situation when one should be especially wary.

Victor H. Mair

Related topics

age altitude american chinese crisis danger executive fact feet incipient mean misperception moment next notion opportunity oriental point public sector should signify sitting situation something specimen start syllable ten thus time while wisdom word means years elements things

Related quotes