彝
moral principle
Readings
On'yomi
- イ
Kun'yomi
- つね
Meaning
彝 centers on a fundamental moral principle or constant ethical standard, often associated with traditional ritual norms.
Most common words using 彝
Study
Etymology
彝 originally depicted a ritual vessel used in ancestral ceremonies, symbolizing constancy and moral principles. The modern form retains the top 彑 (a stylized animal head) and lower elements representing the vessel and offerings, though the exact historical development is complex.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 彑 looks like a stylized animal head used in a ritual, while the inside 糸 suggests threads or binding, and the lower 廾 is two hands. Picture a sacred vessel held by two hands, bound with threads, representing an unchanging moral principle passed down through ceremony.
Reading mnemonic
For イ, imagine an eagle (イーグル) perched on a ritual vessel, guarding the moral principle: eagle -> イ.