A Japanese art form of repairing broken pottery with gold, and by extension, the philosophy of embracing damage and imperfection as part of an object's or person's history rather than something to disguise. It represents emotional resilience and the beauty of healing.
From Japanese 'kin' (gold) and 'tsugi' (joinery), literally meaning 'golden joinery.' The practice emerged in the late 15th century, possibly when Japanese craftsmen sought to make repairs more beautiful than the original, reflecting Buddhist teachings about impermanence and acceptance.
Kintsugi is a perfect metaphor for post-traumatic growth - the psychological phenomenon where people emerge stronger and more beautiful from their struggles. Rather than hiding our 'cracks,' this philosophy suggests that our healing and growth can be the most beautiful parts of us, literally highlighting our resilience with gold.
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