麾
beckon to, command
Strokes15
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
Kun'yomi
- さしまね.く
- さしずばた
Meaning
麾 centers on directing others by gesture or authority: beckoning someone to come, or giving a command.
Most common words using 麾
- 麾下きか
under the command (of); under the banner (of); influenced (by)
Study
Etymology
麾 combines 麻 (hemp) and 毛 (hair/feather), likely referring to a feathered or tasseled banner used to signal commands. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is associated with directing or beckoning.
Meaning mnemonic
Under a hemp canopy 麻, a feathered banner 毛 is raised to beckon troops and issue commands.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, imagine a commander beckoning with a key-shaped banner: key -> キ, and the key gesture commands attention.