wild goose
雁 centers on the wild goose, a migratory waterbird known for its V-shaped flight formations and seasonal return.
雁 combines 厂 (cliff) with 隹 (bird), suggesting a bird associated with cliffs or high places. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character likely depicts a goose in a rocky environment.
Under the cliff (厂), a bird (隹) with a distinctive call flies in formation: that's the wild goose (雁).
For ガン, imagine a wild goose honking loudly: "Gan! Gan!" The sound of the honk cues the reading ガン.
wild goose
kanji "cliff" radical (radical 27)
wild goose
binding (someone) hand and foot
head (of a Japanese pipe, i.e. the bowl and shank)
corona of glans penis; corona glandis penis
rakugan; dry confection of starch (e.g. rice, soy or barley flour) and sugar, mixed and pressed into a pattern
Canada goose (Branta canadensis); Canadian goose
Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis); nene
Aleutian Canada goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia)
solitary wild goose (i.e. separated from its flock, esp. flying)
wild geese returning north in the spring
charms of a uniquely beautiful woman; (so beautiful that) fish stay on the bottom of water and flying wild geese fall from the sky in shame
charms of a uniquely beautiful woman; (so beautiful that) fish stay on the bottom of water and flying wild geese fall from the sky in shame
eastern greylag goose (aquatic bird, Anser anser)
Oriental ostrich fern (Pentarhizidium orientale)
thornback ray (Raja clavata); thornback skate
snow goose (Chen caerulescens); blue goose
greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons)
flying goose