韶
beautiful, emperor Shun's music
Strokes14
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- つぐ
Meaning
韶 centers on aesthetic beauty, especially in music or performance. The specific reference to Emperor Shun's music is a historical application of that idea of beautiful, harmonious sound.
Most common words using 韶
- 韶光しょうこう
beautiful spring scenery; tranquil spring scenery
Study
Etymology
韶 combines 音 (sound) with 召, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest calling or summoning. Together they express beautiful, harmonious music.
Meaning mnemonic
Sound 音 is summoned 召 in a beautiful way: imagine a conductor calling forth a beautiful melody.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, picture a beautiful show of music: show -> ショウ, and the sound 音 is the star of the show.