蕭
a weed, mugwort, lonely, silent, calm
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- よもぎ
Meaning
蕭 centers on a sense of desolation and quiet emptiness, like a lonely field of weeds or mugwort. The meanings 'lonely', 'silent', and 'calm' all stem from this image of sparse, still vegetation.
Most common words using 蕭
- 満目蕭条まんもくしょうじょう
all nature being bleak and desolate; scene looking desolate and forlorn as far as the eye can see
- 蕭々しょうしょう
dreary; dismal; lonely; doleful; plaintive; mournful
- 蕭寥しょうりょう
desolate; lonely; barren
- 蕭条しょうじょう
dreary; bleak; lonely; lonesome; desolate
- 蕭然しょうぜん
lonely; lonesome; desolate; dreary; bleak
- 蕭索しょうさく
lonely
Study
Etymology
蕭 combines 艹 (grass) with 肅, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest a solemn or quiet atmosphere. The character originally referred to a type of plant (mugwort) and later acquired the extended meanings of loneliness and silence.
Meaning mnemonic
The top grass radical 艹 over the solemn-looking 肅 suggests a field of weeds standing still and quiet. Picture a lonely patch of mugwort, silent and calm.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, imagine a lonely weed in a field, and a show (ショウ) is being performed on a tiny stage right next to it, but no one is watching—the silence makes the show feel even lonelier.