also: みずのと
10th Heavenly Stem; tenth sign of the sexagenary cycle
Refers to the tenth of the ten Heavenly Stems (十干), associated with the element water (水) and the yin aspect. Used in traditional calendars, astrology, and ranking systems.
癸 is the last of the ten Heavenly Stems.
This year's sexagenary sign is 癸卯 (Water Rabbit).
Standard kanji for the tenth Heavenly Stem. The reading みずのと is the most common Japanese name for this stem.
On-reading, used mainly in compound terms or formal contexts.
The character 癸 is an ancient Chinese Heavenly Stem. Its Japanese readings are き (on-reading) and みずのと (kun-reading, literally 'water's younger brother'), reflecting its association with water and yin.