尞
fuel used for sacrifices
Strokes12
Readings
On'yomi
- リョウ
Kun'yomi
- かがりび
Meaning
尞 centers on fuel used for ritual fires, specifically the kind of material burned in ancient sacrifices. Its meaning is narrow and tied to ceremonial burning.
Study
Etymology
尞 is an ancient character associated with burning fuel in sacrifices. The top component 昚 likely relates to fire or smoke, while 小 at the bottom may represent the fuel or flames, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 昚 looks like a pile of kindling or a fire altar, and the bottom 小 suggests small flames or fuel pieces. Together they show fuel being burned for a ritual.
Reading mnemonic
For リョウ, imagine a ritual fire burning bright, and a priest named Ryo (リョウ) tending the sacred fuel. Ryo -> リョウ, and the fire consumes the offering.