孁
shrine maiden
Strokes20
Readings
On'yomi
- レイ
- リョウ
Kun'yomi
- おんなのあざな
- め
Meaning
孁 centers on a shrine maiden, a woman serving at a shrine. The meaning is narrow and specific, with no clear broader conceptual cluster.
Most common words using 孁
Study
Etymology
孁 combines 霝 (likely a phonetic component) with 女 (woman), suggesting a woman associated with the sound 霝. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 霝 looks like rain over mouths, perhaps suggesting ritual chanting. Below, 女 is a woman. Picture a shrine maiden performing rain rituals.
Reading mnemonic
For レイ, imagine the shrine maiden laying out offerings: lay -> レイ, as she carefully arranges them at the shrine.