祇
national or local god, peaceful, great
Readings
On'yomi
- ギ
- キ
- シ
Kun'yomi
- くにつかみ
- ただ
- まさに
Meaning
祇 centers on a deity, especially a local or national god, with an underlying sense of peace and greatness associated with such divine presence.
Most common words using 祇
- 祇園祭ぎおんまつり
Gion Festival (in Kyoto during the month of July, with high point on the 17th)
- 神祇じんぎ
gods of heaven and earth
- 博多祇園山笠はかたぎおんやまかさ
festival held in July in Fukuoka City; Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival (often just called Yamakasa Festival)
- 天神地祇てんしんちぎ
gods of heaven and earth
- 祇園会ぎおんえ
Gion Festival (in Kyoto during the month of July, with high point on the 17th)
- 神祇伯じんぎはく
head of the Department of Worship
- 神祇官じんぎかん
Department of Divinities (1868-1871)
- 神祇省じんぎしょう
Ministry of Divinities (1871-1872)
- 神祇院じんぎいん
Institute of Divinities (1940-1946)
- 阿僧祇あそうぎ
a number so great it can never be counted to
Study
Etymology
祇 combines the altar radical 礻 (示) with 氏, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to clan or local identity, suggesting a local or clan deity.
Meaning mnemonic
The altar radical 礻 indicates something divine. The right side 氏 looks like a stylized person or clan symbol. Imagine a local clan gathering at an altar to honor their peaceful, great local god.
Reading mnemonic
For ギ, picture a giant key unlocking a sacred shrine: key -> ギ, and the key opens the door to the peaceful local god.