魑
mountain spirits
Strokes21
Readings
On'yomi
- チ
Kun'yomi
- すだま
Meaning
魑 centers on a type of mountain spirit or demon in Japanese folklore, often associated with wild, untamed natural forces.
Most common words using 魑
Study
Etymology
魑 combines 鬼 (demon, spirit) with 离, which likely contributes a phonetic element and may relate to a type of mythical creature. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The outer 鬼 (demon) encloses 离, which looks like a tangled, wild shape. Picture a mountain demon lurking in the untamed wilderness, its form a chaotic mix of nature and spirit.
Reading mnemonic
For チ, imagine a mountain spirit letting out a sharp, eerie 'chee' sound as it darts between trees: 'chee' -> チ.