This kanji combines the ‘jade’ radical on the left with an element on the right signifying orderly lines and division. Together, it originally depicted carving jade along its natural grain. Following this natural grain came to symbolize following universal truth, giving the kanji its meanings of ‘reason,’ ‘principle,’ and ‘logic.’
Words & Phrases
- 理想（risou):The supreme or most desirable state that one seeks and strives for in things.
- 理念（rinen）:A core philosophy of how things should be.
- 理由（riyuu）:The reasons, process, or logical sequence of how things came to be.
- 理論（riron）:The process of finding patterns and unity across separate events to construct a logically unified system.