QUOTES · LIFE ∙ LOVE ∙ FAMILY QUOTES
Ikigai
BACKGROUND · GEORGES DE LA TOUR, THE PENITENT MAGDALEN, C. 1640 · THE MET, OPEN ACCESS
“Ikigai”: A Japanese philosophy of finding your purpose and living a fulfilling life.
Use our posts to gain inspiration and guidance on your own journey to finding your Ikigai and living a more meaningful life. Start your journey to a more fulfilling life with our Ikigai posts today!
You may also view our in-depth discussion of “Ikigai” at ∙ https://www.hacksvitae.com/life-hack/ikigai-living-a-purpose-driven-life-findin-meaning-and-fulfillment
Where these lines come from
Myth The four-circle ikigai diagram is not Japanese. It was published by Marc Winn on 14 May 2014, who adapted an existing Spanish diagram about purpose by Andrés Zuzunaga and put the word ikigai in the middle. In Japanese usage an ikigai does not need to be your work or earn you money. Older Than You Think has the full story.
Each line was checked against the original text, or a named translation of it, in September 2026. How we check, and what we will not quote, is set out in our editorial standards.