清
pure · purify · cleanse · exorcise · Manchu dynasty
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
water + blue
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of water and blue. Blue water.
Symbolism
Clean, clear stream, pure. Represents purity.
Spiritual Meaning
Central to Shinto concept of purity. Purging defilement and maintaining cleanliness is considered prerequisite for communion with the gods.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
清廉潔白
せいれんけっぱく
spotless integrity; absolute honesty; uprightness; spotless integrity
六根清浄
ろっこんしょうじょう
purification of the six roots of perception; purification of the six roots of perception
清浄無垢
せいじょうむく
purity; spotlessness; purity
清濁併呑
せいだくへいどん
being so broad-minded as to accept all sorts of things, both good and evil; being broad-minded enough to be tolerant of people of all shades; being so broad-minded as to accept all sorts of things, both good and evil
清浄潔白
せいじょうけっぱく
upright and clean-handed; pure in heart and with a clean conscience; upright and clean-handed
清風明月
せいふうめいげつ
refreshing breeze and the bright moon; a beautiful nocturnal scene with a full moon; refreshing breeze and the bright moon
百年河清
ひゃくねんかせい
waiting for one hundred years for the waters of the Yellow River to clear; waiting in vain for an unlikely event; waiting for pigs to fly; waiting for one hundred years for the waters of the Yellow River to clear
無垢清浄
むくせいじょう
pure and innocent; immaculate; pure and innocent
和敬清寂
わけいせいじゃく
harmony, respect, purity and tranquility; the four most important elements of the tea ceremony; harmony, respect, purity and tranquility