羿

legendary archer

Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

ゲイ

Kun'yomi

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Meaning

羿 refers to a legendary archer from Chinese mythology, specifically the hero Hou Yi who shot down suns. The kanji's meaning is tightly bound to this specific figure and the act of archery.

Study

Etymology

羿 is composed of 羽 (feathers) and 廾 (two hands), suggesting the act of drawing a bow with feathered arrows. This aligns with its meaning as a legendary archer.

Meaning mnemonic

Feathers 羽 held by two hands 廾: imagine the legendary archer Hou Yi nocking a feathered arrow, ready to shoot down the suns.

Reading mnemonic

For ゲイ, picture the archer taking aim and saying 'Gay!' as he releases the arrow—a playful invented sound cue: gay -> ゲイ.