Smile Anniversary

What Is Smile Anniversary?

August 8th is "Smile Anniversary" in Japan. The date carries a wish that smiles will spread across the world, inspired by the widening shape of the kanji "八" (eight), along with a wordplay reading "88" as the sound of laughter, "ha-ha." It is said to have been established on August 8, 2008, by a "smile creator" from Osaka Prefecture, as a day to encourage surprises and gifts that make family and friends smile.

A Wish for Smiles, Carried in the Widening Shape of "八"

Smile Anniversary is more than just a wordplay-based holiday -- it's a day that turns attention to the power a smile itself can hold.

• Origin: the widening shape of "八" is likened to the image of smiles spreading out across the world
• Another layer of meaning: "88" is also read as "ha-ha," the sound of laughter
• Date established: established on "August 8, 2008," a date full of 8s
• Not the same as Laughter Day: August 8th is also "Laughter Day," established in 1994 from the sound of laughter "ha-ha," but it is a separate anniversary

A Smile Is a Universal Greeting

A smile is often called a universal form of communication that conveys feelings even without a shared language. The "facial feedback hypothesis," which suggests that even a forced smile can lift your mood, is well known, but researchers disagree about how strong the effect is. Starting with a smiling greeting to the people around you seems like a good first step.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Stand in front of a mirror and consciously make yourself smile
• Share a story with family or friends that's sure to get a laugh
• Post a smiling photo on social media
• Say "thank you" a little more often than usual today

Like the Widening Character "八," a Smile Keeps Spreading Outward

A single smile has the power to draw out a smile from someone nearby. On August 8th, in the spirit of the ever-widening "八," share your smile with the people around you.