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Kotomora

參

three, going, coming, visiting

Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • サン
  • シン

Kun'yomi

  • まい.る
  • まじわる
  • みつ

Meaning

參 centers on the number three and the idea of joining or moving between places: three, going, coming, and visiting. The visiting sense extends naturally from coming and going.

Study

Etymology

參 is the traditional form of 参. It originally depicted three stars in the constellation Orion, representing the number three. The lower 彡 may have been added to emphasize the idea of joining or mixing, which later extended to coming and going.

Meaning mnemonic

The top part looks like a stylized three, and the lower 彡 suggests movement or joining. Picture three people coming and going, visiting each other.

Reading mnemonic

For サン, think of the sun (サン) shining on three people as they come and go visiting: sun -> サン, and the three visitors are under the sun.