ebb and flow; tidal movement
Describes the natural rise and fall of the tide, often used metaphorically for cyclical changes.
I observe the ebb and flow at the seashore.
Life has its ebbs and flows.
Standard kanji spelling for 'ebb and flow'.
Variant spelling omitting the okurigana ち; less common.
Compound of 満ち (continuative form of 満ちる 'to fill, rise') and 引き (continuative form of 引く 'to pull, recede'), literally 'rising and receding'.