昉
bright dawn, daybreak, appear
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- ホウ
Kun'yomi
- あき.らか
Meaning
昉 centers on the first light of day: a bright dawn or daybreak. The sense of 'appear' extends naturally from the idea of light emerging at sunrise.
Study
Etymology
昉 combines 日 (sun) and 方, which likely contributes the sound. The character expresses the bright appearance of dawn.
Meaning mnemonic
The sun 日 rises in the direction 方 of dawn, making the sky bright. Picture the sun appearing over the horizon, bringing daybreak.
Reading mnemonic
For ホウ, imagine a bright dawn where you hear a rooster's crow: 'hou!' The sound ホウ echoes as the sun appears.