祀
enshrine, worship
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- シ
Kun'yomi
- まつ.る
- まつり
Meaning
祀 centers on ritual dedication to a deity or spirit: enshrining something sacred and performing acts of worship.
Most common words using 祀
Study
Etymology
祀 combines 示 (altar, religious ceremony) with 巳, which likely contributes the sound and may represent a snake or a cyclical sign, but the exact historical role of 巳 is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
At the altar 示, a coiled snake 巳 is enshrined and worshipped. Imagine a sacred snake resting on the altar as the focus of a ritual.
Reading mnemonic
For シ, picture a worshipper at the altar saying 'she' to refer to the enshrined deity: she -> シ, and the altar is dedicated to her.