礿
sacrifice
Strokes7
Readings
On'yomi
- ヤク
- ヨウ
Kun'yomi
- まつり
Meaning
礿 centers on a ritual offering or sacrifice, specifically a spring or summer sacrifice in ancient Chinese tradition. The given meaning 'sacrifice' captures this core idea.
Study
Etymology
礿 combines 示 (altar, spirit) with 勺, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character originally referred to a specific seasonal sacrifice.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 示 suggests an altar or ritual. The right side 勺 looks like a ladle or a wrapped offering. Picture placing a ladle of sacred liquid on the altar as a sacrifice.
Reading mnemonic
For ヤク, imagine a yak being led to the altar as a sacrifice: yak -> ヤク, and the ritual offering is made.