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Japanese Symbols -
Alphabet
The Japanese alphabet
consists of different character systems known as Hiragana, Katakana and
Kanji. The Kanji alphabet symbols are written in columns; text was
traditionally written beginning on the right hand side of the page
although nowadays it is written on the page from left to right. There
are several Japanese words which are in fact also part of the English
language including:
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Tsunami - A huge ocean wave caused by an earthquake under the
sea
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Sushi - A popular food dish which is made from rice and raw fish
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Origami - The ancient Japanese art of paper folding
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Karate and Judo - Martial arts
Japanese Translation
Looking for
some basic Japanese phrases? The following list of English words and
their Japanese translation cover some of the basics of the amazing
Japanese language:
- Please -
Onegaishimasu
- Thank You -
Arigato
- Goodbye -
Sayonara
- I'm sorry -
Gomennasai
- Understand -
Wakarimasu
- Japanese -
Nihongo
- Where - Doko
- Tomorrow -
Ashita
- Come - Kimasu
- Eat - Tabemasu
- Drink - Nomimasu
- Today - kyoo
- Yesterday -
kinoo
Japanese Symbols - Definition
There are
three different kinds of character systems used in the Japanese
writing system, these are: Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji.
Hiragana - In this system, each letter represents a single sound an
unlike other languages there is only one way to pronounce a hiragana
letter. Kanji - Kanji characters are different from hiragana and
katakana as they have specific meanings. Katakana - The katakana
system is used mainly for non Japanese words, examples of katakana
characters are:
Kanji Character Japanese
Symbols
The table below shows the
first ten 'Kanji' number symbols with their English and Japanese
translation.
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Kanji Symbol |
English
Translation |
Japanese
Translation |
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㈠ |
One |
ichi |
|
㈡ |
Two |
ni |
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㈢ |
Three |
san |
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㈣ |
Four |
shi |
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㈤ |
Five |
go |
|
㈥ |
Six |
roku |
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㈦ |
Seven |
shichi |
|
㈧ |
Eight |
hachi |
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㈨ |
Nine |
kyuu |
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㈩ |
Ten |
juu |
Japanese Symbols for Love
The Japanese word for love
is 'Ai' and its symbol is 愛 . The love symbol is an
extremely popular tattoo choice and this beautiful symbol is the perfect
way to tell your loved one how you feel about them, perhaps you need to
know how to say 'I Love you' in Japanese? Check out the phrases for I
love you and I like you below!
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Ai-Shi-Te-Ru
- I Love you !
Dai suki -
I like you
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Japanese National Symbol
The national flower of Japan
is the chrysanthemum, it is also the emblem of the Japanese imperial
family. Chrysanthemums are symbolic of good luck, happiness, long life
and wealth. The shape of the chrysanthemum petals resemble the sun. The
Japanese flag is also an important national symbol, it consists of a red
circle symbolising the rising sun on a white background which symbolise
peace.
Japanese Symbols - Tea
Ceremony
The Japanese tea
ceremony, called 'chanoyu' is an extremely popular Japanese tradition
practiced all over Japan and is even used during wedding ceremonies! The
tradition of making tea was originally introduced by Buddhist monks and
tea ceremonies are held in homes all over Japan as well as being a
popular tourist attraction. Japanese tea cups do not have handles and
the sets always comprise either three or six cups, tea sets with four
cups are never found as the number four is considered a very unlucky
number in Japan!
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 1: The 'Oki-don-tako,' or 'Great
Holiday,' festival takes place around Christmas, it
lasts for a fortnight and is the most important of the
many Japanese festivals |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 2: Seeds are often given to visitors
returning home after a stay in Japan with the
traditional saying 'Plant these seeds about your home,
and, when you see them growing, think of me.' |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 3: The word 'hanna,' or flower, is
commonly used as a term of endearment: it is usually
given by parents to a favourite daughter, or by a lover
to his mistress; it is also used to distinguish the
bride and the bridegroom, as 'hanna-yomie,' 'hanna-moko.' |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 4: Floral love-tokens usually
consisting of a single sprig are as much prized among
the Japanese |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 5: Ikebana is the Japanese art of
flower arranging. Traditional Ikebana displays consist
of three levels. The upper level of flowers represents
Heaven, the central level symbolises humanity and the
lower level of flowers is symbolic of the earth |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 6: The Lilly is an important Japanese
symbol particularly to Japanese women who traditionally
wore them in their belts to forget the grief of a lost
love |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 7: Uku-No-Chi was a Japanese god who
lived in tree-trunks and the god Hamori was the
protector of leaves |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 8: The Plum tree is a symbol of spring
in Japan, it is also a symbol of fertility |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 9: Japanese talismans called 'gofu' are
given away at Shinto shrines and symbolise good fortune |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 10: River stones in Japan were
traditionally thought to hatch into dragons |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 11: The royal family of Japan can trace
their ancestors back 125 generations! |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 12: Princess Fruitful Jewel, the
ancestor of the Japanese royal family is believed to be
the daughter of a dragon king of the sea |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 13: Japanese picnics called 'hanami'
are held during the spring and celebrate the the cherry
blossom blooming |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 14: Respect for family ancestors and
older people is important to Japanese people |
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Japanese
Symbols Fact 15: Many homes have a special room
where family members pray to their family ancestors |
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Symbols Fact 16: Kendo is a popular Japanese sport.
It is a type of sword fighting and swords are made from
bamboo and competitors wear protective masks and chest
guards. The winner is the first player to strike his
component on the chest or head with his sword |
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Symbols Fact 17: Sumo wrestling is an extremely
popular Japanese sport and is famous worldwide. Each
competitor wears a loincloth called a 'fundoshi' and
competes in a ring. To win, the first player to either
trip up their component or knock them out of the ring is
the winner |
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Symbols Fact 18: Shinto is the oldest religion in
Japan and its followers believe that every rock and
plant has its own god. Many Japanese homes have shinto
shrines where the family pray. Unlike other religions,
there are no sacred Shinto books, leaders or regular
meetings |
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Symbols Fact 19: Four is an unlucky number in Japan! |
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Symbols Fact 20: Manga stories are read by children
all over Japan, they are an extremely popular comic book |
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Symbols Fact 21: The Japanese have a national
holiday each year on the 5th May to celebrate Children's
day! |
Japanese Symbols
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