鳳
male mythical bird
Readings
On'yomi
- ホウ
- フウ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- おおとり
- ふげ
Meaning
鳳 refers specifically to the male of the mythical phoenix-like bird in East Asian tradition, often paired with the female 凰.
Most common words using 鳳
20 of 26- 鳳ほう
feng (male Chinese firebird)
- 鳳凰ほうおう
Chinese firebird; Chinese phoenix
- 白鳳はくほう
white Chinese phoenix; white Chinese firebird
- 金鳳花きんぽうげ
buttercup (Ranunculus japonicus)
- 鳳仙花ほうせんか
(garden) balsam (Impatiens balsamina); touch-me-not
- 伏竜鳳雛ふくりょうほうすう
gifted young person who shows much promise; unrecognized genius; great person whose talent is hidden under a bushel
- 夔鳳文きほうもん
inscription of a fantastic birdlike creature found on Yin and Zhou dynasty bronze ware
- 夔鳳鏡きほうきょう
intricately inscribed ancient bronze or iron mirror featuring a pair of firebirds
- 深山金鳳花みやまきんぽうげ
meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris var. nipponicus)
- 白鳳時代はくほうじだい
Hakuhō period (esp. used as a period of art history, approx. 645-710 CE)
- 臥竜鳳雛がりょうほうすう
gifted young person who shows much promise; unrecognized genius; great person whose talent is hidden under a bushel
- 鳳凰丸ほうおうまる
Hōō Maru (Western-style Japanese frigate, launched in 1853)
- 鳳凰座ほうおうざ
Phoenix (constellation)
- 鳳凰文ほうおうもん
Chinese phoenix pattern
- 鳳凰木ほうおうぼく
royal poinciana (Delonix regia); flamboyant
- 鳳凰竹ほうおうちく
Bambusa multiplex var. elegans (variety of hedge bamboo)
- 鳳凰貝ほうおうがい
Vulsella vulsella (species of clam)
- 鳳声ほうせい
verbal message
- 鳳梨ほうり
pineapple
- 鳳楼ほうろう
tower crowned by a representation of the Chinese firebird; beautiful tower
Study
Etymology
鳳 is a phono-semantic compound: the outer 几 (wind enclosure) suggests a bird riding the wind, while the inner part historically contained 鳥 (bird) and a phonetic element. The modern form simplifies the inner structure.
Meaning mnemonic
Inside the wind enclosure 几, see the strokes as the crest and tail of a mythical bird. 鳳 is the male phoenix soaring on the wind.
Reading mnemonic
For ホウ, imagine the male phoenix letting out a majestic 'hoo' call as it flies: hoo -> ホウ.