朓
sacrifice
Strokes10
Readings
On'yomi
- チョウ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
朓 centers on the act of offering something valuable, especially in a ritual context: sacrifice. The meaning is narrow and concrete.
Study
Etymology
朓 combines 月 (moon) with 兆, which likely contributes the sound. The connection between moon and sacrifice is not obvious from the modern form, and the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is 月 (moon), and the right side is 兆 (omen). Picture an ancient ritual where a sacrifice is offered under the moon when an omen appears.
Reading mnemonic
For チョウ, imagine a chief named Chou performing a moonlit sacrifice: Chou -> チョウ, and the chief offers the sacrifice.