猊
lion, the seat of a famous priest
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- ゲイ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
猊 centers on a lion, specifically in a Buddhist context where it refers to the lion seat of a high priest, symbolizing authority and the Buddha's teachings.
Most common words using 猊
Study
Etymology
猊 combines 犭 (beast) with 兒, which likely provides the sound ゲイ and relates to a child or small creature. The compound originally referred to a mythical lion-like beast, later used in Buddhist terminology for the lion seat.
Meaning mnemonic
The beast radical 犭 beside 兒 suggests a powerful animal associated with a child-like figure, but here it represents the lion, the king of beasts, serving as the seat of a revered priest.
Reading mnemonic
For ゲイ, imagine a lion giving a loud 'gay' roar as it guards the priest's seat: gay -> ゲイ.