虣
cruel, violent, passionate
Strokes16
Readings
On'yomi
- ホウ
Kun'yomi
- しいたげる
Meaning
虣 centers on intense, uncontrolled force: cruelty, violence, and overwhelming passion. The meanings share a core of raw, aggressive energy that can be destructive or consuming.
Study
Etymology
虣 combines 武 (military, martial) and 虎 (tiger), likely suggesting the ferocity of a tiger in battle. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the components point to an idea of martial savagery.
Meaning mnemonic
A tiger (虎) armed with military force (武) becomes a symbol of cruel, violent passion. Picture a raging tiger in armor, unstoppable and fierce.
Reading mnemonic
For ホウ, imagine the tiger letting out a fierce roar: 'HOU!' The sound of the roar (ホウ) matches the violent energy of the kanji.