磔
crucifixion
Readings
On'yomi
- タク
- チャク
Kun'yomi
- さ.く
- はりつけ
- ひらく
Meaning
磔 centers on the act of crucifixion: a form of execution where a person is bound or nailed to a cross. The meaning is specific and does not extend to general punishment or religious symbolism beyond the given gloss.
Most common words using 磔
- 磔たく
eighth principle of the Eight Principles of Yong; stroke that falls rightwards and fattens at the bottom
- 磔はりつけ
execution by tying a victim to a post and stabbing with spears
- 磔刑たっけい
crucifixion
- 波磔はたく
(of clerical script) horizontal lines ending in a noticeable triangular tail
- 磔刑像たくけいぞう
crucifix
- 磔柱はりつけばしら
cross (used in a crucifixion)
- 逆さ磔さかさはりつけ
upside-down crucifixion
- 逆磔さかさばっつけ
upside-down crucifixion
Study
Etymology
磔 combines 石 (stone) with 桀, which likely contributes the sound and is associated with dismemberment or exposure. The character originally referred to a form of execution involving tearing apart or exposing the body, later associated with crucifixion.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 石 suggests a heavy stone, and the right side 桀 looks like a person spread out. Imagine a person being tied to a stone cross for crucifixion.
Reading mnemonic
For タク, picture a tack being driven into the stone cross during crucifixion: tack -> タク, and the sharp sound echoes the act.