noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
eightfold; octuple
Literal sense: eight layers, folds, or repetitions. In modern use this is less common than the broader layered or double-flowered sense.
布を八重に重ねて、厚いパッドを作った。
I layered the cloth eightfold and made a thick pad.
This rose is a variety that blooms with many overlapping petals.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
multilayered; doubled; double-flowered
Commonly used for something with many overlapping layers, especially flowers with extra petals, such as 八重の桜. It does not always mean exactly eight layers in this use.
この桜は八重で、花びらが幾重にも重なる。
This cherry tree is double-flowered, with petals overlapping in many layers.
庭に八重の椿が咲いている。
A double camellia is blooming in the garden.
The layered petals danced in the wind.
幾重 means many overlapping layers without specifying a number, whereas 八重 is conventionally tied to the number eight even when used loosely.
八重 describes an eightfold or doubled layering (e.g. of petals), a close but distinct numeric image from 九重.
一重 describes a single layer or single-petaled flower, directly opposite to the multilayered or double-flowered sense of 八重.
snaggletooth; double tooth; protruding canine
double-flowered cherry tree; double cherry blossoms
double blossom; double-flowered
multiple layers of fences; fences within fences
thick patch of mixed weeds
layers of clouds; multilayered clouds
multilayered; many layers
banner clouds in layers
Standard kanji spelling for やえ; often seen in words and phrases referring to many layers or double-flowered plants.
八 means 'eight' and 重 means 'layer' or 'fold'; the spelling transparently represents the idea of eight layers or many overlapping layers. The exact historical development of the reading やえ is not specified.
eightfold gardenia; Gardenia jasminoides f. ovalifolia
distant seas; far-off sea routes
Satake palm; Yaeyama palm
Rhizophora mucronata; loop-root mangrove; red mangrove
great morinda; Indian mulberry; noni; beach mulberry; cheese fruit