妖
attractive · bewitching · calamity
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
Woman + young
Cultural Context
Etymology
Combines 'woman' (女) with 'young/strange' (夭), depicting the mysterious charm of young women or supernatural beings.
Symbolism
Symbolizes bewitching beauty, mystery, and supernatural existence. Represents alluring charm and otherworldly creatures.
Spiritual Meaning
Mysterious beings in Shinto and folk belief. "Yōkai" personify nature's mysteries and are objects of reverence.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
妖怪変化
ようかいへんげ
monstrous apparition; terrifying creature; incomprehensible horror; monstrous apparition
狐狸妖怪
こりようかい
tricksters; deceivers; fey creatures; tricksters
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 妖 mean in Japanese?
妖 means attractive, bewitching, calamity.
How do you read 妖?
On'yomi: ヨウ (YOU). Kun'yomi: あや.しい、なま.めく、わざわ.い (ayashii, namameku, wazawai).
How many strokes does 妖 have?
妖 has 7 strokes. Its radical is 女 (woman).
Is 妖 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 妖 (attractive, bewitching, calamity) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
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