alliance, oath
盟 centers on a formal bond or pledge: an alliance sealed by a solemn oath.
盟 combines 明 (bright, clear) and 皿 (dish, vessel). Historically, it likely depicts a ritual vessel used in oath-taking ceremonies, where the bright vessel or the clarity of the oath was emphasized.
Picture a bright (明) ceremonial dish (皿) used to seal an oath. Allies gather around the vessel, swearing a solemn alliance.
For メイ, imagine a May (メイ) alliance ceremony where oaths are sworn under the bright sun. May -> メイ.
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alliance; union; league
joining (an association, agreement, etc.); participation; affiliation; accession
league; federation; union
sworn friend
oath; pledge; pact; covenant; alliance
leader (of an alliance); leading power
alliance
blood pledge; oath signed in blood
member state of the European Union; EU country
Licensed Agency for Relief of Asia (LARA)
Arab League
Kalmar Union
Christian Democratic Union (Germany); Christian Democrats; CDU
Central Baseball Organization
Delian League (the Athenian empire)
Hanseatic League
Pacific League of Professional Baseball Clubs
Maratha Confederacy
Milk Tea Alliance (online democratization solidarity movement)
Confederation of the Rhine (1806-1813)