In this figure, you can see a person putting in the effort to push a massive wheel situated to their left. This character perfectly captures that dynamic action to mean ‘move’!
move(動)
up(上)
As you can see, this character clearly represents ‘up.’ It features a baseline resembling a table, with a distinct symbol indicating something positioned right above it.
turtle(亀)
This character carries a beautifully simple meaning that you will easily recognize too. As you can see, it directly describes the shape of a turtle viewed from above!
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strong(強)
In the same way, you can find a bow on the left side of this figure, which symbolizes immense strength. On the right, there is an element resembling an insect. Since insects were also seen as symbols of incredible resilience in ancient times, this character perfectly combines these ideas to mean ‘strong, tough, and mighty’.
land(土)
Ancient people believed that all living things were born from the land. Deeply revering this source of life, they mounded the earth high and prayed for longevity. This figure directly symbolizes that sacred, mounded earth, meaning ‘land’.
horn(角)
This shape captures nothing but the sharp form of a rhinoceros horn, perfectly standing for ‘horn’ itself!
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create(作)
crossroad(辻)
caution(告)
How do you see this character’s shape? It symbolizes the face of a cow with two sharp horns, with a protective wooden bar securely fastened across them. This reflects an ancient custom designed to protect people from the danger of being gored. Therefore, this character has come to represent ‘caution’.
swallow(燕)
Imagine watching a swallow heading up into the sky, gracefully folding and beating its wings from above. Since ancient times in China, the swallow has been a symbol of good fortune and happiness. Because of this auspicious meaning, this character is frequently used in town names and other celebratory places.