永 (Ei) means “eternity,” and consists of two parts. The top dot is shaped like a single drop of rain. The bottom is a stream from a great river that continues to the sea or ocean. 遠 (En, Tooii) means “far distance,” and consists of two parts. The right side is a person who wears […]
The Heart of Kanji
THE HEART OF KANJI: True Revival
真 (Makoto or Shin) means “true or truth,” and forms a person’s head and face facing down, to indicate a person’s death. When a person dies, he or she doesn’t change; he is unchangeable and becomes egoless. And 復 (Fuku) means “revival,” which consists of three parts. The left side of the character represents half […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Big wave
大 (Oo, Dai or Ookii) means “big,” which is a form of a big person who is standing. 津 (Tsu) means “harbor or port, come in and come out,” which consists of two parts. The left represents water and the right is a person whose hand is holding a stick. Water in the harbor comes […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Dream
夢 (Yume) means “dream or future vision.” This character consists of three parts. The top part of this character represents an eyelash and eye. The middle part represents a blanket to cover a person’s face. The bottom part represents the moon at evening. Most of us think of the word “dream” as what we see […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Water and air
水 (mizu) means “water.” This character comes from the splashing of water. 空 (kuu or sora) means “empty” or “sky.” This character comes from a big empty room or cave. 気 (ki) means “spirit” or “breath.” This character consists of two parts. The top part represents a person’s profile including the face, mouth and nose; […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Eternal peace of mind
永 (ei or nagai) means “eternal or long.” This character consists of two parts. The top forms a single drop of rain; the bottom represents water in a river. A single drop of rain flows into the waters of a river and continues on its path forever. 遠 (en or tooii) means “far.” This character […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Divine parent
親 (oya) means “parent.” This character consists of three parts. The top of the left side is 立 (tatsu), which means “stand.” Below that is 木 (ki), which means “a tree.” The right side is 見 (miru), which means “to see or look.” So parents are standing in a tree and looking upon their children […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Selfish Desires
ji ko yoku 自(ji) means “own.” This character comes from the shape of a person’s nose. 己 (ko or onore) means “self.” This character represents a person who is bending down. 欲 (yoku) means “desire” and consists of two parts; the left side is the shape of a valley and the right side is a […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Spiritual Investment
心の出資 (Kokoro no Shushi) means “spiritual investment.” Kokoro (心) means “heart,” and its character is in the shape of a human heart. Shu or deru (出) means “go out or come out,” and its character is in the shape of a human foot. Shi (資) means “funds,” and its character consists of two parts; the […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Mt. Fuji
富 (Fu or Tomi) means “richnes.” This character comes from a shape of a warehouse which is full of crops or treasures inside. 士 (Ji or Shi) means “samurai” who guards the King or lord. This character comes from a shape of a weapon which can protect the king or lord. 山 (San or Yama) […]
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