Flame of the Rising Sun – “Like the flame of the rising sun, let your ambitions ignite the sky. Each new dawn is an opportunity to renew your efforts.”
“Flame of the Rising Sun” is a powerful concept suggesting that one should embrace each day as a fresh start to work towards their ambitions, similar to how a flame lights up and spreads warmth. The rising sun here signifies a new beginning or an opportunity to start again, and the flame is a symbol of the burning desire or ambition to achieve something. Just as the sun rises and sets, we too have opportunities every day to reignite our efforts and make progress towards our goals, never letting the flame of our ambition dwindle.
Applying the Principle to Political Power
In the context of political power, the “Flame of the Rising Sun” principle signifies the importance of consistent efforts and renewal of strategies to maintain or increase power. Just as the sun rises every day, leaders and politicians must seize every day as a fresh opportunity to strengthen their position, be it through building alliances, improving public policies, or enhancing diplomatic relations. This principle advocates the value of persistence and dynamism, reflecting that political power is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing process of influence and negotiation.
Historical Example
During the Greco-Persian Wars in the 5th century BC, Athenian general Themistocles employed the principle of the “Flame of the Rising Sun.” At the Battle of Salamis, the Athenians were heavily outnumbered by the Persian fleet. Despite facing tremendous odds, Themistocles didn’t lose hope, reminding his soldiers that each dawn brought new opportunities for victory. Each day, he reevaluated and readjusted his strategies to match the changing battle conditions.
On the day of the battle, Themistocles devised a plan to draw the Persians into the narrow straits of Salamis, where their numerical advantage would be nullified. He sent a false message to the Persian King Xerxes, suggesting that the Greeks were planning to flee and that the Persians could easily trap them at Salamis. As the sun rose, Xerxes took the bait and ordered his vast fleet into the straits. The smaller and more maneuverable Greek ships attacked with a renewed fervor, turning the tide of the war in their favor.
Themistocles’ plan succeeded because he saw each day as a new opportunity to turn the tide of the war, using the principle of the “Flame of the Rising Sun.” Even in the face of overwhelming odds, his unyielding ambition led to one of the most decisive victories in ancient warfare, fundamentally altering the course of the Greco-Persian Wars. This historic example stands as a testament to how consistent efforts, renewed each day, can lead to monumental achievements.
[Black Watch | Scrolls of Shunya | Scroll of the Infernal Dawn]
Last Modified: 08/05/2023