醮
religious service (Taoist or Buddhist)
Strokes19
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- まつ.る
Meaning
醮 centers on a formal religious ceremony, specifically a Taoist or Buddhist ritual service involving offerings and purification.
Study
Etymology
醮 combines 酉 (wine vessel) with 焦, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to a ritual offering of wine, fitting the religious service meaning.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 酉 is a wine vessel, and the right side 焦 suggests burning or intense focus. Picture a ritual where wine is poured and offerings are burned in a focused religious service.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, imagine a solemn religious show where wine is offered: show -> ショウ, and the ceremony is a formal service.