also: どう · はたぼこ
long-handled Chinese spear with a small flag
Buddhist ritual implement; a polearm with a small banner attached. Rare outside historical or religious contexts.
See also: 矛
Only with reading どう
Buddhist banner or hanging ornament; read as どう. Used in temple decorations and religious contexts.
The 幢 is a spear with a flag used in Buddhist ceremonies.
A beautiful banner was hung in the main hall of the temple.
Standard kanji for the Buddhist banner sense; also used for the spear with flag when read はたほこ/はたぼこ.
Rare compound spelling for the spear with flag; not commonly used.
Alternate kana spelling for the spear with flag reading; less common than はたほこ.
The kanji 幢 originally referred to a type of banner or pennant in Chinese. The reading どう is the on'yomi, while はたほこ/はたぼこ are native Japanese readings combining 旗 (flag) and 矛 (spear). The exact historical derivation is uncertain.