釁
smear with blood
Readings
On'yomi
- キン
Kun'yomi
- ちぬ.る
- すき
- ひま
Meaning
釁 centers on the act of smearing with blood, often in a ritual or sacrificial context. The meaning is narrow and concrete, with no clear abstract extensions.
Most common words using 釁
- 釁端きんたん
opening of hostilities
Study
Etymology
釁 is a complex character whose exact historical development is uncertain. It likely combines components related to ritual vessels (酉) and division or separation (分), with 同 possibly contributing sound, but the precise origin of the blood-smearing meaning is unclear.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture a ritual wine vessel (酉) being divided (分) among participants, with blood smeared on it as a sacred act. The inner 同 suggests a shared, communal rite.
Reading mnemonic
For キン, imagine a king (キン) performing a blood-smearing ritual with a wine vessel: king -> キン, and the king's hands are stained with blood.